Day 19: Access and Equity in Disability

Disability is having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having one. The World Health Organization reports that almost everyone is likely to experience some form of temporary or permanent disability within their lifetime.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990, prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability in all areas of public life. Though this was a major step toward equity for all, there remain numerous inequities that still negatively impact people with disabilities. A few examples of these inequities include unequal access to adequate health care, limited appropriate services in rural and remote areas, exclusion from formal education and physically inaccessible public spaces.

This inequity is perpetuated by the ideology of ableism: discrimination that favors able-bodied people. It is the intentional or unintentional discrimination or oppression of individuals with disabilities.

Reflect And Share:

1. How did today’s material make you feel? What did you learn from today’s material?
2. After reviewing today’s resources, reflect on your social identities in the context of the country you live in. In which areas related to disability are you privileged? Are there areas related to disability which you experience inequity or discrimination?
   • Day One has a Social Identity Wheel activity. This is a great resource to reflect on your social identities like disability and how your identities intersect.
3.  What are ways you can create a more inclusive space that does not center ableism? Think of your school, workplace, home, religious group, etc.
4. What material from today do you still have questions about or want to learn more about? What are ways you can further explore those questions?