Table 1: Examples of Disability Microaggressions in Everyday Life
Theme | Example | Message |
---|---|---|
Denial of personal identity Occurs when any aspect of a person’s identity other than disability is ignored or denied. |
I can't believe you are married. |
There is no part of your life that is normal or like mine. The only thing when I see you is your disability. |
Denial of Disability Experience Occurs when disability related experiences are minimized or denied. |
Come on now, we all have some disability |
Your thoughts and feelings are probably not real and certainly not important to me. |
Denial Of Privacy Occurs when personal information is required about a disability |
Someone asking what happened to you. |
You are not allowed to maintain disability information privately. |
Helplessness Occurs when people frantically try to help PWD's. |
Someone helps you on to a bus or train even when you need no help. Someone feels incapable of rescuing you from your disability. |
you can't do anything by yourself because you have a disability. Disability is a catastrophe. I would rather be dead than to be you. |
Secondary Gain Occurs when a person expects to feel good or be praised for doing something for a PWD. |
We're going to raise enough money tonight to get Johnny that new wheelchair. |
I feel good and get recognition for being nice to you. |
Spread Effect Occurs when other expectations about a person are assumed due to one specific disability. |
Those deaf people are retarded. Your other senses must be better than mine. |
Your disability invalidates you in all areas of life. You must be special in some way. Your not normal. You have "spidey sense". |
Infantillization Occurs when a PWD is treated like a child. |
Let me do that for you. |
You are not really capable. I know better than you how to do this. |
Patronization Occurs when a PWD is praised for almost anything. |
You people are so inspiring. |
You are so special for living with that. |
Second Class Citizen Occurs when a PWD's right to equality is denied because they are considered to be bothersome, expensive and a waste of time, effort and resources. |
People work hard not to make eye contact or to physically avoid a PWD. a person in a wheelchair waits 15 minutes outside a restaurant for access through the kitchen.She then complains to the manager. at a staff meeting the question is raised about improving accessibility to the restaurant and the official plan is that changes will be made when more PWD's come to eat. |
PWD's are disgusting and should be avoided. Those people expect too much and are so difficult to work with.They have no patience. Your rights to equality are not important to me. |
Desexualization Occurs when the sexuality and sexual being is denied. |
I would never date someone who uses a wheelchair. |
PWD's are not my equal, not attractive and not worthy of being with me. |