Ableism is alive and real despite people claiming to be more aware and understanding. In day to day conversations, activities, and public places ableism is everywhere and unavoidable. Whether it’s a teacher sighing loudly every time an autistic student asks for clarification, the girl sitting next to you complaining about a “special needs” student in her other class, or the lack of things like elevators and ramps, ableism is everywhere. While some instances and occurrences are more subtle than others ableism is apparent and ingrained in society negatively affecting so many disabled people especially those who are further marginalized.
Environments where disability is treated as a bad thing and accommodations are a waste of time and money are not safe and are in no means progressive. Preaching disability positivity and acceptance but not following up with matching attitudes and actions is pointless and flat out offensive. Disability exists and isn’t going anywhere. Instead of ignoring people’s needs and making things inaccessible we need people to start actually making changes beyond pseudo acceptance. Positivity let alone the fake positivity people spew in order look better isn’t going to build ramps, elevators, or advocate for disabled children. Positivity is important but it isn’t going to change people’s ableist assumptions and mindsets if the abled/neurotypical people preaching it aren’t following through with matching actions.