Why You Think Ableism is Normal and Why It Definitely Isn’t

Adapted from an illustration by Tyler Feder

*This story is from my neuroamazing brain with the help of generative AI

Ableism, the discrimination and social prejudice against disabled people, is often considered a norm in society. It is a network of beliefs, processes and practices that project an “able” body as the ideal and essential standard of humanity, casting disability as a diminished state of being. Ableism is deeply rooted in capitalist logic that values meritocracy, individualism, self-reliance and economic productivity over interdependence and care. As someone who is autistic and disabled, it is something I am deeply familiar with.

This article will explore why ableism is so deeply normalized within our current social and economic systems, and why we must challenge this normalization as part of a broader struggle for collective liberation. We will examine the historical origins of ableism, analyze how it is perpetuated through capitalist structures, and highlight the central role that disabled people have played in resisting oppression. Ultimately, we will make the case that ableism is anything but normal — and that dismantling it is essential to building a more just and equitable world.

The History of Ableism

Ableism has a long and disturbing history, closely intertwined with the rise of colonialism…