They claim because most people don't have disabilities and those people designed our current system. Because our system was designed by people who have never had disabilities it is structural biased against those people. The argument seems to be because those who don't have disabilities can't fully understand what it is like to be disabled they will automatically be biased against them.
I thought this argument was week the first time I heard it. Now my perspective has changed. Although my disability is not nearly as debilitating as many, you could say I am disabled. And what I have experienced has changed my perspective completely. I know longer think that our system being ableist is merely unlikely I am astounded by how caring and compassionate our people are to r\the disabled as a general rule.
As far as how individuals react. When I used a cane little old ladies and small women would jump at the opportunities to hold the door open for me. When mI am at the store in one of those little scooters not only will anyone I ask grab something for me that I am having a hard time reaching. They will often do it with out me asking or they will ask me if they can grab anything for me. The kindness and compassion that the average person has for a disabled person I have found pretty impressive.
But abilism isn't just about individual actions it's about the systems that are in place as well. This is where I think we really shine. It is hard to find a building that is not handicap accessible. In addition there are many laws to make sure that these building are handicap accessible. Not only do we have those carts that you can drive around at the store, bit we have services that will bring your groceries right to your house. We also have special parking spots for those who are disabled to help them through out there daily lives.
The main arguments that we are an abilist society seems to be based around the fact that many people use words like lame. They say things like how would you feel if you couldn't use your legs and some said this soda is lame? Wouldn't that hurt your feelings. As a man who has problems getting around and faces the possibility of same day losing both legs I can say it would not bother me. They truth is our society goes to great length yo help those who needed it, and when we have a hard time getting around word usage is the least of our concerns. well that is at least true for me, I can't speak for everyone else.
The truth is that the argument that this society is inherently abilst has a flawed premise. They believe that just because we can't understand everything someone has been through we can't have empathy for someone else and this could not be farther from the truth. We as Americans are often very good at showing empathy even if we don't know everything someone else is going through.
The one experience that I had that really changed the way I saw things, when I went to vote. When I got out of the car to vote and someone saw that I was sporting two casts she told me to get back into the car and they brought the polling machine to me. The lengths that people go to include those with disabilities is inspiring to me. I certainly don't want to chastise the American people for something they are doing so well.
Now I realize there are few jerks out there who do treat people with a disability badly, but they are a very small minority.
I send my love to all.