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Confronting Ableism
The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2012 that one in every five Americans, almost 20 percent of the population, lives with a disability. Some disabilities are severe and recognizable, while others are invisible to those who are unaware. Despite the fact that such a large number of Americans live with a disability, many people are not familiar with ableism, or discrimination against disabled people. This text contains a breakdown of what ableism looks like, how to recognize it, and how to face it. Special features include a Myths and Facts section and 10 Great Questions to Ask a Specialist.
64 pages, Library Binding
Published December 30, 2017
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June 22, 2018
This is a useful primer on what the term "Ableism" means and how it pervades society. Although the term has been around since the early 80's, many people have never heard of it.
I know when I first heard the word a few years ago, I grappled with it. The word 'Ableism' almost sounded like a positive term -- but it's not at all! Discrimination based on ability is all around us, and once it is called to our attention we can see it.
Nichols writes:
I can see this book being a helpful discussion tool for people with disabilities, their caregivers, support workers, therapists, as well as elementary and high school students. There needs to be much more awareness of what ableism is -- and how to confront it.
The book includes chapters on Ableism in Social Settings, Ableism at School and at Work, and Coping with Ableism in Your Own Life.
I would like to see the book expanded to address the ableism inherent in group homes and institutionalization. Most "abled" people do not want to live in either place, and yet we as a society are ableist in expecting that people with disabilities should be content to live in group homes or institutions rather than in the community.
More information on human and civil rights would have been helpful. For example, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 19 protects the right to live independently and be included in the community.
In general, this is an easy-to-read book which opens the door to recognizing Ableism, and speaking up to confront it.
I know when I first heard the word a few years ago, I grappled with it. The word 'Ableism' almost sounded like a positive term -- but it's not at all! Discrimination based on ability is all around us, and once it is called to our attention we can see it.
Nichols writes:
The term "ableism" is decades old, not a recent invention. Discrimination against the disabled has been referred to in the past by other terms, such as discrimination against the "differently-abled" or "disability discrimination." Ableism is a fusion of the terms "abled" (those without disability) and the concept of the "-ism." inclusive of "racism" and "sexism" (terms for oppressive systems that favor people of a specific race or sex, respectively.
The term is now widely used to identify the ways in which people with disabilities face a number of obstacles to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I can see this book being a helpful discussion tool for people with disabilities, their caregivers, support workers, therapists, as well as elementary and high school students. There needs to be much more awareness of what ableism is -- and how to confront it.
The book includes chapters on Ableism in Social Settings, Ableism at School and at Work, and Coping with Ableism in Your Own Life.
I would like to see the book expanded to address the ableism inherent in group homes and institutionalization. Most "abled" people do not want to live in either place, and yet we as a society are ableist in expecting that people with disabilities should be content to live in group homes or institutions rather than in the community.
More information on human and civil rights would have been helpful. For example, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 19 protects the right to live independently and be included in the community.
In general, this is an easy-to-read book which opens the door to recognizing Ableism, and speaking up to confront it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review