Essay On Ableism

616 Words3 Pages

I do not have any developmental or acquired disabilities; therefore, I am privileged in this area. As an able-bodied, I do not face ableism. I am able to go any place I like, eat any food, do not have to ask if a place accommodates to my needs, perform any physical activity, I do not experience strange looks and people do not labeling me by a disability. As a privilege able-bodied, these are thoughts I fail to think about on a daily basis. “Ableism is systematic oppression of individuals with impairments/disabilities on the basis of their disabilities. It is systematic advantages of individuals without disabilities over individuals who are disabled/impaired” (Jun, 2010, p.202). My nephew has a severe peanut allergy that requires him to carry …show more content…

After completing the class activity, writing to the able-bodied person, I started to reflect on my privilege of being an able-bodied. “People with disabilities have been a hidden, misunderstood minority, often routinely deprived of the basic life choices that even the most disadvantaged among us take for granted” (Shaprio, 1994, p. 7). I have never focus on people with disabilities experiencing oppression. My privilege for my entire life has blinded me with all the advantages I have as an able-bodied. Needs that I take for granted are the same needs others are deprived from. The challenge I face as an able-bodied is being empathic to people with disabilities without showing pity. I feel it is duty to help others that are not an able-bodied. Although I am helping with a kind heart, I can give off the impression of showing pity. Continuing to further my multicultural competence in this area, I will develop skills and knowledge when counseling people with disabilities. By reading articles such as 21 Ways Able-Bodied Privilege Looks, bring awareness of my own privilege. Moreno (2016) discussed that dissecting ableism begins with recognizing the privileges that are given to you if you are an able-bodied. Awareness of my privilege will help me understand the oppression people with disabilities