For people with disabilities, social prejudices can have an extraordinary impact.
According to Pew Research, U.S. adults with disabilities earned a median income of $28,438 in 2021, compared with $40,948 among those without a disability. Adults with disabilities were also less likely to say they own a desktop or laptop computer (62% for people with disabilities versus 81% for people without disabilities) or a smartphone (72% versus 88%).
A portion of those discrepancies can be attributed to demographics, the limited job market for workers with certain abilities, and other factors. However, social stigma remains a crucial part of the problem.
People with disabilities may be stereotyped as helpless or unable to make their own decisions. In many cases, the stigma is unintentional, but it’s still harmful. Whether you’re a content creator, developer, business leader, or marketer, you can take concrete steps against disability discrimination.
Ableism is a catch-all term for discrimination against people with disabilities. It starts with an assumption that people with disabilities “can’t do things the right way,” or that certain abilities are more useful than others.
Ableist language is everywhere, and some common phrases carry offensive connotations. For example, people who use wheelchairs aren’t “bound" to their wheelchairs; the phrase “wheelchair-bound" indicates that the user is permanently attached to the seat. Likewise, calling someone “crazy" might imply that emotional conditions prevent people from participating in society.
By using language thoughtfully, you can avoid defining people solely by their abilities. Of course, there’s quite a bit to think about — our style guide to writing disability-focused content provides a good overview, particularly for writers and marketers.
Related: What Is Ableism? Fighting Assumptions About People with Disabilities
Challenging ableism isn’t just about using the right language (though that’s a good place to start). It’s also important to be aware of the reality of our differences, and where appropriate, celebrate the societal contributions of those with disabilities.
About 25% of adults in the US have at least one disability. Your audience includes people with different abilities, and recognizing those differences can help to start positive conversations.
Some quick ideas to keep in mind:
Related: 4 Surprising Statistics About Employment for People with Disabilities
From your website to your email blasts, every digital communication is an opportunity to connect with your audience. If you’re not thinking about accessibility, you’re not making the most of that opportunity.
An estimated 96.3% of the internet’s top million homepages have accessibility issues, per a 2023 analysis from WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind). Many of those issues are easy to fix — for example, missing image alternative text, which is crucial for non-visual users — but only when organizations think about their users.
Planning for accessibility can help people develop a positive image of your brand, and more importantly, it’s the right thing to do. Quick tips:
At the Bureau of Internet Accessibility, our goal is to help clients develop long-term, sustainable strategies for digital compliance. To learn more, get started with a free automated website analysis or send us a message.