#everydayableism

[teainapot29]

It can be really frustrating and upsetting as an autistic person, to be constantly misunderstood and talked down to. I don’t want to think in a manner that’s more neurotypical though. I just want the neurotypicals to take the tiny bit of time needed to consider what it is that I’m saying. To use their privilege to try to understand me, instead of expecting me to do the work.

[stacyspoonley]

Need #more #flair The "Courtesy Counts" campaign has done nothing to help me get a seat (even those clearly marked for disabled riders). Instead, my button actually gets me a fresh new level of #EverydayAbleism and #MTA B-Line conductors have mocked me for expressing concern for #ableism threats or frustration when they don't help me open a jammed door enough to get my chair out. (at Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

[lifeinanableistsociety]

Emotional Labor

It is taxing for me sometimes to have to explain my feelings as if I am not allowed to feel them.

It is taxing for me sometimes to be afraid to share what I feel because I fear I won’t be heard and believed.

It is taxing for me sometimes to have to explain my ability status and have to be the bigger person and be an educator all at the same time when people don’t even look at my body language to see how exhausted I am, how frustrated I can be, and not even acknowledge my anger.

It can be taxing for me to have to give allistics the benefit of the doubt for their intention even if the impact hurts. 

And this is just someone with a socially defined “cognitive disability.” 

It is taxing for me sometimes to have to explain my ability status and how it manifests on me and not excuse my behavior because I want to be considered human enough for the world around me to be held accountable for the harm I’ve caused people. 

It is taxing for me sometimes to be an inspiration porn star for someone just to make them feel better because I too have to survive in a world that doesn’t accept that I have a different neurology and in a world that attempts to celebrate difference, that I can’t be accepted for my differences. I want to feel better and while I do most of the time in my own mind, body, and soul, when I meet someone who dehumanizes me, experience something dehumanizing, and respond to something dehumanizing, that no one can hear my pain and suffering because I am not a person whose been hurt, but a wandering condition to be dealt with. A problem, not a person. 

It is taxing for me to have to fight harder for basic things like respect, consideration, and to be heard because if I was neurotypically allistic, I wouldn’t have to fight for these basic needs at all. 

This is emotional labor for me. An Aspie in a neurotypical world. I can personally do my part in creating a world that celebrates neurodivergence, but this is everyday ableism, and my life in this ableist society is centered on the many nuances and complexities of which I try to survive in it. 

[cas-is-deaf]

No, history professor. I cannot have someone else watch the video and explain it to me. I need it to be captioned by the DRC. I deserve the same access to the material as every other student. 🙃

[claudielou]

Because obviously disabled people don't work, so why would they need to travel at peak times? #ableism #everydayableism

[whentaniatalks]

#EverydayAblism

I've just been told that coloured backgrounds can't be avoided because black text on a white background is boring. This has really upset me. While I appreciate that colour makes things more interesting & can help to highlight important things, people need to appreciate that some people are unable to read anything that isn't black text on a white background. We all have different needs so to dismiss someone's difficulties like that is more than upsetting or hurtful. It's ableist. If my teachers at school had dismissed my difficulties with reading coloured board markers, I would have struggled to learn. If my lecturers at uni hadn't provided me with handouts of their powerpoint slides in an accessible format or adapted their slides, I would have struggled to learn. I'm not saying that everything has to be black on white, but there needs to be this option for those who need it, or any other colour combination someone might need. Giving me anything other than black text on a white background is like giving someone who is blind or visually impaired a standard book rather than Braille or an audio format. People also need to understand that for some, adaptations are vital to living as fulfilling a life as possible. The excuse 'because it doesn't look appealing' is no reason for barring people from things that would make living their lives more 'normal'.