Introduction
Ableism, a form of discrimination against people with disabilities, has an intresting history filled with significant events. In this post, we’ll explore the evolution of ableism, explaining key moments and how society’s views on disability have changed over time.
The Origins of Ableism
The term ‘ableism’ was introduced in the 1980s by U.S. feminists, but the origins of ableism extend deep into the past. Throughout history, individuals with disabilities have faced various forms of discrimination based on societal misunderstandings and misconceptions.
The Civil Rights Era and the Fight Against Ableism
The Civil Rights Era of the 1960s and 1970s marked a significant turning point in the fight against ableism. During this time, activists began to draw connections between disability and political movements, advocating for equal rights for individuals with disabilities.
In this time, people’s thoughts about disability changed. Instead of thinking of disability as a personal problem or a sad thing, activists saw it as a matter of people’s rights. They said that individuals with disabilities were not getting their basic rights because of the obstacles and unfair ideas in society, not because of their disabilities
One of the most important events from this era was the “504 Sit-In” in 1977. In this historic protest, disabled activists took over government offices across the U.S. for almost a month. Their demand? Equal rights and accessible public spaces for people with disabilities.
This protest wasn’t only about making public places physically accessible, but also about changing the way society thought about and treated people with disabilities. It showed the strong spirit and determination of the disability community and had a very important part in making disability rights better
Legal Protections Against Ableism
Laws to stop ableism are different in each country. In Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms offers some protection against unfair treatment based on disabilities. But, sometimes, ableism still happens because there aren’t clear rules for all parts of life. For example, there might not be rules to make sure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities to work, go to school, or use social services. This can result in unfair treatment.
The Accessible Canada Act: A Step Towards Inclusivity
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) is a law that started in 2019. It aims to make Canada free of these kinds of barriers by 2040. This law helps all Canadians, but it especially benefits people with disabilities.
The ACA works in 7 important areas:
- Jobs: Making sure people with disabilities can work and have fair conditions.
- Buildings and Spaces: Making physical places easy for everyone to use.
- Tech Stuff: Making sure technology is easy for everyone to use.
- Communication (not tech): Making sure people can understand information that’s not on a computer or phone.
- Programs and Services: Making sure things like government programs are easy for everyone to use.
- Buying Things: Making sure when the government buys things, they are easy for everyone to use.
Conclusion
Even with these laws, ableism is still a problem. People with disabilities face unfair treatment in many ways. This can be seen in government rules, healthcare, and everyday life.
While we have come a long way since the days of eugenics and clear discrimination, there is still much work to be done. The fight against ableism is ongoing, but with continued activism and increasing awareness, we can hope for a future where all individuals are valued for their abilities rather than judged for their disabilities.