4 Key Concepts and Terms

Ableism: Ableism is a form of discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities, rooted in the belief that typical abilities are superior. This ideology often results in the marginalization and devaluation of disabled individuals, influencing societal attitudes, policies, and practices. Ableism can manifest in various ways, from overt discrimination to subtle biases and microaggressions. For instance, assuming that a person with a disability cannot perform certain tasks without assistance, or designing public spaces without considering wheelchair accessibility, are both examples of ableism. Challenging ableism requires a shift towards recognizing and valuing diverse abilities and ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals.

Universal Design: Universal design is an approach to creating products, environments, and experiences that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The goal of universal design is to promote inclusivity and accessibility from the outset, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can interact with and benefit from the design. Key principles of universal design include equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive operation, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space for approach and use. For example, a website built with universal design principles would be easily navigable by users with varying abilities, including those who rely on screen readers or have motor impairments. Universal design seeks to remove barriers and create environments where all individuals can participate fully and independently.

Technoableism: Technoableism refers to the practice of designing and implementing technology in ways that exclude or marginalize individuals with disabilities. This form of ableism manifests in various technological contexts, where the needs and capabilities of disabled users are often overlooked. For example, a smartphone app that relies solely on visual input without considering users who are blind or have low vision demonstrates technoableism. This practice perpetuates the notion that disabled individuals are an afterthought in technological development, leading to a lack of accessible and inclusive digital environments.