How Can Ableism be Reduced?

As children, many people may have been told not to stare or point at someone with a disability. Asking questions was considered to be rude. While good intentions may have been behind these suggestions, it is likely that ignoring individuals with disabilities may actually facilitate discrimination.


Combating ableism begins with creating awareness. The best way to accomplish this task is through education. Teaching about diversity and every person's uniqueness can begin to counteract the cultural myths about people with disabilities. It is important to remember that each person has their own strengths and weaknesses - people without disabilities and people with disabilities are not different in that regard.

Inclusion of people with disabilities into classrooms offers the next best way to beat ableistic thinking - friendship. Direct interaction with someone with a disability can break down the fear and ignorance felt by some. If inclusion has not occurred in your school, there are several organizations with which you can get involved that can increase your contact with differently-abled people. It's a rewarding experience!

Jay Kist, author of Buddy to Buddy: befriending a person with a disability, makes suggestions on how to be a good friend to someone with a disability:

1. "Encourage your friend to be independent. This means don't do anything for him that he can do himself.

2. Be patient, because sometimes it just takes longer to do some things.

3. Treat him in a respectful way that is appropriate to his age.

4. Don't talk for him or talk down to him.

5. Do talk and joke.

6. Find those things that you both can enjoy."