“What is Ableism,” part two in a webinar series presented by NCHPAD with our friends at the UAB School of Health Professions and the Lakeshore Foundation, takes an in-depth look at ableism and how it impacts the daily lives of people with disabilities.

Panelists and disability leaders Imani Barbarin, Dr. Kara Ayers and Mia Ives-Rublee share their insight and expertise on how we can individually and collectively reduce ableism to influence disability identity development.

“If you go to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it’s going to say that ableism is discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities,” webinar host Mary Allison Cook said. “But there are also a lot more nuanced and in-depth definitions of ableism.”

“It has been fairly recent that I found the term, but looking back, I can definitely pinpoint ableism moments throughout my entire life, starting with my birth,” Barbarin said. “I think I’m not alone in that it’s a new term, but we know when we sense what it has been historically.”

“I largely see ableism as a collection of lies about disability, and we’re missing out on a lot of things by buying into those lies,” Dr. Ayers said.

Watch the full video below, and check out part one in this series, “What is a Disability,” at the following link: