living in an ableist world
Hi, I’m Mark, in 2015 I acquired a C5 complete spinal cord injury and I live with quadriplegia
The moment I became “disabled” wasn’t just a change in physical ability—it was a revelation of the deeply entrenched prejudices within society. As I adjusted to my new body, I began experiencing the subtle and not subtle ways society marginalises, and holds inherently negative beliefs and associations of those with impairments.
Let’s embark on a journey of unraveling societal perceptions, challenging stereotypes, and embracing the diverse facets of disability identity.
Connect with me:
Ableism is not always obvious
What ableism is:
Ableism is “discrimination in favor of the able-bodied,” including “the idea that a person’sabilities or characteristics are determined by disability or that people with disabilities as agroup are inferior to nondisabled people” (Linton, 1998). Ableism manifests throughpervasive institutional, systemic, and subtle discrimination
How ableist are you?
In the following study, you will participate in an Implicit Association Test (IAT), which involves rapidly sorting pictures and words into groups. Additionally, you will answer questions regarding your beliefs, attitudes, opinions, and standard demographic information. The entire study is expected to take approximately 10 minutes to finish. Upon completion, you will receive your IAT result and detailed information about its significance.
What you would never admit:
Did you know that despite societal norms condemning discrimination against disabled individuals, many still inadvertently engage in such behavior? According to a study, individuals may not openly acknowledge it, but they often exhibit a preference for interacting with non-disabled individuals, a phenomenon known as aversive ableism. This serves as a reminder that biases against the disabled community can manifest subtly yet yield significant impact.
What you can do:
There are several steps you can take to address it. Start by educating yourself and others about the subtle ways biases against disabled individuals can show up. Be mindful of your own attitudes and behaviors, and actively challenge stereotypes. Promote inclusivity in your community and workplace by advocating for equal opportunities for all. Supporting organizations that champion the rights of disabled individuals can also make a difference. By fostering empathy and understanding, we can work towards a more inclusive society together.
Blog Posts
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The concept of aversive ableism brings to light the nuanced ways in which bias and discrimination can affect individuals with disabilities. Aversive ableism describes individuals who may not overtly see themselves as prejudiced but demonstrate implicit biases and discomfort towards people with disabilities. This notion challenges us to acknowledge that even those with good intentions…
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In our journey towards a more inclusive society, we must examine our language and the unconscious biases it may perpetuate. One term that warrants closer scrutiny is “disability.” While seemingly innocuous, this word carries a heavy burden of negative connotations, which can manifest in attitudes, values, assumptions, and behaviours, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and marginalising individuals…
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In our everyday language, certain words carry immense power, not just in their literal meanings but in the deeply ingrained associations and perceptions they evoke. One such word, deeply entrenched in societal discourse yet often overlooked in its implications, is “disability.” Despite efforts to promote inclusivity and understanding, the term “disability” remains predominantly associated with…
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1. Information and Communication: Effective communication is essential to ensure that people with impairments and disabilities feel welcome and informed about the outdoor recreation opportunities your organisation offers. Here’s how to enhance information and communication: 2. Accessible Facilities: Creating inclusive outdoor spaces involves making physical accommodations to ensure everyone can enjoy the environment comfortably and…
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Introduction AdventureWorks is a Private Training Establishment based in Auckland. We specialise in qualifications for outdoor recreation and adventure-based youth work. One of our goals is to make outdoor recreation and sport more accessible to people with impairments. To achieve this goal, we are developing a micro-credential that provides skills and knowledge to programme managers,…
What keeps me busy
Director
AdventureWorks is a well-established Private Training Establishment located in Auckland, New Zealand. Our focus lies in providing comprehensive training and qualifications for outdoor leaders and youth workers. Additionally, we specialise in Outdoor Education and Adventure-Based youth development journeys.
Partner
Outdoor Leader Training: A Premier Video-Based Online Learning Platform Our platform is designed to offer high-quality video training for outdoor leaders, curated by industry experts. Our aim is to ensure that outdoor leaders have access to the best practices, enabling them to stay updated and foster personal and professional development.
Trustee
The Experiential Learning Through Adventure (ELTA) Trust was established to oversee the ELTA High Ropes challenge course and facilitate adventure-based youth development programs within the community. We are committed to providing opportunities for young people to engage in experiential learning, personal development, and teamwork through adventurous activities.
Mountain Biking
Adapt mtb
youtube
advocacy
With Adapt MTB and Recreation Aotearoa, we are diligently working on developing a comprehensive guideline for adaptive mountain bike trails. Our aim is to ensure that individuals of all abilities can enjoy the thrill of mountain biking in a safe and inclusive environment.
Inclusive Outdoor Recreation
3 Principles
Understanding
The first principle is about understanding the unique abilities and needs of people that live with impairments. Everybody has different physical and mental abilities. We are more interested in what people can do, and what they want to do than what they can’t do. By better understanding what people’s abilities are we can find solutions that fit each individual. It’s also important that we understand what each individual’s needs are in order to be able to keep them safe. When individuals abilities and needs are understood we can work with family, organisations and other networks of support in order to put together safe opportunities for individuals to participate.
Accessibility
Principle two is accessibility. This means doing the best we can to reduce the barriers to participation with facilities and equipment. This can be the biggest challenge in providing opportunities for people with impairments. We are working with equipment providers and the facilities that we use in order to increase opportunities for people with impairments
Participation
Principle three is participation. For us the best outcome here is that people with impairments are participating alongside people without impairments and enjoying the same experience at the same time. This can be an enriching experience for both the person with an impairment and the rest of the group. This is also where some of the greatest challenges arise. Flexible program design and being adaptable are needed in order to support participation
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