REACH's session on: WHAT IS ABLEISM

Date: 13th January 2022

Day: Thursday
Time: 11:45 - 1:15 (ECA)

The session, starting with an introduction to discourse on disability and ableism, was aided with a
presentation. Various provided pointers made the members of the meeting scrutinize the social and
institutional ways by which people with disability are treated differently. The importance of
"inclusion in the classroom" was discussed, along with how the terms Viklang and Divyang are very
derogatory.

Disability: a concept difficult to define. It intersects with chronic diseases too in a very complex
way. There are various types of disabilities; the problem is with constitutionally recognized
"disability."

Disability is there because of ableism. The concept of ability is to privilege those who fulfill the
criteria of norm and thus, others are disadvantaged. For example, the lack of ramps in infrastructure
is because people who might need them are not considered. Everyone outside the norm has to
make their way.
Spoon theory for people with disability.

Disability across different fields: There is no mention of disability in historical context (only a few
glimpses) Even in literature, disabled characters like Dhritarashtra and Kupja are represented by
negative. Or some are represented by either pity or bad karma. Disability is often glorified.
Words have connotations and Indian languages have poor terms to equate "disability" for example,
in Hindi, it's viklang (vikal-ang). Making those languages unequipped for this discourse. Even the
word "disability" is a concentration of negative.

Ableism is a structure created by other structures. Psychology oppresses people with disability. It
conveys that abnormal is sickness and also ideate "the recovery to normal"
It's all a part of the power play and does not make the world inclusive for everyone.

The impacts of ableism are immense. Because of it, many people are socially alienated.
Economically no support is provided and hence people with disability find it difficult to navigate their
place even in their family. No political recognization is available nor basic rights. Education is highly
prejudiced, teachers are not familiar with the needs, the curriculum is also very segregated.
In India, the discourse on disability came very late, hence the conditions are still poor.

What to do? Acknowledge ableism as the root cause of discrimination and fight for its abolition in
any way you can. Every effort counts.