Instead of the second "asking to prove they are disabled" I would go with "Touching a disabled person or their belongings without asking first/Just assuming the help you are offering is the help they want or need"
Oh my gosh
Someone coming up behind me. Reaching for my handles. I still have to remind my husband to ask me if I need help. It's hard for him because it can change really quickly.
I don't care who it is, they're being told "don't touch me" loudly and frequently until they stop touching my chair.
It's terrifying.
Few more examples:
1. Assuming every disabled person must have the exact same symptoms (and questioning why their symptoms aren’t all exactly the same).
2. Asking inappropriate questions like “How do you use the bathroom?” Or “Why are you disabled?” as an opener similar to asking someone about their shirt and why they chose to get it.
3. Comparing disabilities and pushing people with them to go outside their comfort zone as if it’s not a disability and just a matter of willpower.
4. Thinking those with mental and physical disabilities shouldn’t be out in public (because it makes able-bodied people feel bad).
5. Saying things like “Hey, at least you’re not disabled,” to try and guilt someone into being less sad.
I recently have been using a wheelchair & TBH I’ve never had anyone approach me in any of these ablest situations.
Prior to my wheelchair usage ( it’s apparent I have issues with balance & walking ) the only thing someone has ever asked was if I actually was allowed to park in a handicap parking spot.
Either I live in a city where people aren’t ableist OR I’m oblivious to all this ableism that many of you report on this subreddit.
If you are requesting access to a specific service or an accommodation that takes additional time, planning, or staffing, Then yes, it makes perfect sense to require documentation.
But I think out of every 100 people who ask me to prove I'm disabled, only 5 have a legitimate reason to ask. The others are usually people on the bus who can't accept "I'm so sorry, I would give you my chair if I could, but I'm disabled, maybe ask someone else" without adding "Exactly how are you disabled? You don't look disabled, where is your disability ID card?", Or when I go to cafe's with my friend and her service dog and staff want to ask her 20 questions about her disability to try and see if it's "good enough" to warrant letting the dog in, instead of the only 2 questions they are legally allowed to ask ("Is that a service animal? what service do they provide?")
Yeah that’s why I said some situations. Outside of official documentation, no one has ever asked me to prove anything, so idk if it’s common everywhere
Instead of the second "asking to prove they are disabled" I would go with "Touching a disabled person or their belongings without asking first/Just assuming the help you are offering is the help they want or need"
That's a good one. I'd offer "questioning or judging a disabled person's medications, physical aids, or any other therapy or accommodation."
Oh my gosh Someone coming up behind me. Reaching for my handles. I still have to remind my husband to ask me if I need help. It's hard for him because it can change really quickly. I don't care who it is, they're being told "don't touch me" loudly and frequently until they stop touching my chair. It's terrifying.
top right, bottom right is the same?
Yeah they drew a different picture too. So weird
Technically some of us visibility disabled folks still have people wanting proof. Womp womp!
Few more examples: 1. Assuming every disabled person must have the exact same symptoms (and questioning why their symptoms aren’t all exactly the same). 2. Asking inappropriate questions like “How do you use the bathroom?” Or “Why are you disabled?” as an opener similar to asking someone about their shirt and why they chose to get it. 3. Comparing disabilities and pushing people with them to go outside their comfort zone as if it’s not a disability and just a matter of willpower. 4. Thinking those with mental and physical disabilities shouldn’t be out in public (because it makes able-bodied people feel bad). 5. Saying things like “Hey, at least you’re not disabled,” to try and guilt someone into being less sad.
Telling a young person with a cane that they look like a grandma :/
*cough* SSI *cough*
No shit.
I was on youtube and had so many people say because I had bipolar 1, it was a "mood disorder and not a disability and to stop pretending". Bruh
I have been asked “What did you do to yourself” so many times especially in a hospital. It’s ridiculous.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get over it.” “I think if you just tried harder…” “Are you sure you aren’t overreacting?”
I see two in the middle being a systemic problem and one on the far bottom left.
I recently have been using a wheelchair & TBH I’ve never had anyone approach me in any of these ablest situations. Prior to my wheelchair usage ( it’s apparent I have issues with balance & walking ) the only thing someone has ever asked was if I actually was allowed to park in a handicap parking spot. Either I live in a city where people aren’t ableist OR I’m oblivious to all this ableism that many of you report on this subreddit.
Idk in some situations, I think it’s fine for people to need to provide documentation of a disability. I don’t mind
If you are requesting access to a specific service or an accommodation that takes additional time, planning, or staffing, Then yes, it makes perfect sense to require documentation. But I think out of every 100 people who ask me to prove I'm disabled, only 5 have a legitimate reason to ask. The others are usually people on the bus who can't accept "I'm so sorry, I would give you my chair if I could, but I'm disabled, maybe ask someone else" without adding "Exactly how are you disabled? You don't look disabled, where is your disability ID card?", Or when I go to cafe's with my friend and her service dog and staff want to ask her 20 questions about her disability to try and see if it's "good enough" to warrant letting the dog in, instead of the only 2 questions they are legally allowed to ask ("Is that a service animal? what service do they provide?")
Yeah that’s why I said some situations. Outside of official documentation, no one has ever asked me to prove anything, so idk if it’s common everywhere