Challenge Your Internalized Ableism!

February 12, 2025

Do you know what internalized ableism is?

It’s when we, as disabled people, unknowingly adopt negative beliefs about ourselves because of the way society treats disability and people with disabilities.
Internalized ableism can have negative effects on our mental and physical health. It can lead to self-blame, low self-esteem, shame, anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

Internalized ableism can sound like: “I don’t deserve friends because I’ll just hold them back”, “I’m so lazy because I can’t do what they can do”, “I don’t deserve accommodations”.
It’s time to challenge and eliminate these harmful ideas – within society and within ourselves!

So how do we combat and hopefully eliminate internalized ableism?
The first step is to recognize it.
Pinpoint the negative thoughts and stereotypes you’ve adopted about yourself. If you’re unsure, ask yourself if you would tell a disabled friend or loved one the thought you are telling yourself.
No? Why not? Because it’s untrue, unkind or just plain wrong? Then it’s also wrong about you!
Be kinder to yourself!

The second step to fighting your internalized ableism is to challenge it!
Actively question these negative thoughts and where they come from. Are they really true or have you been believing these things because you’ve heard them from others or seen them presented in society?
If you struggle to outright reject your internalized ableism, try taking a negative thought and rewording it in a positive way. It won’t change everything overnight, but if you continue to challenge and practice positivity, you can improve your own mental health and feel more confident in challenging ableism in society!

The final step is to truly embrace yourself.
Focusing only on the negative thoughts, even in an effort to dismiss or change them, can be exhausting. Make sure you spend time appreciating your skills, abilities, strengths, and the unique way you see the world.