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Ableism in Capitalism


Written By: Falakdipti

Keywords: Ableism, capitalism, differently-abled people, disabilities, discrimination, people with disabilities, profit, society

INTRODUCTION

The privilege of being able-bodied is often something that most people take for granted. Persons with mental and physical disabilities face struggles on a daily basis, including discrimination at the workplace. This ranges from recruitment to their experience in a professional set-up. In a majorly capitalist world, where productivity is given more priority than the welfare of the people involved in the process, differently-abled people are often excluded, or treated improperly as they are considered to be a hindrance in the course of making a profit. This paper is concerned with elaborating the problems that such people face, why they deserve equal opportunities and how they can be included in a capitalist environment.

 

BASIC CONCEPTS

Ableism is a term used to define the social prejudice and discrimination done against those people who are either physically or mentally challenged, or both. It is the belief that able-bodied people are superior to those who are born different and such people, who are defined by their disability, need to be ‘fixed’.[1] This attitude is prevalent in today’s world; hence it can be said that people live in an ableist society.

Capitalism is an economic, social and political system which believes in private ownership of business, industries and properties, directed towards making the highest profit possible for financially successful organisations and owners.[2]

 

PROBLEMS FACED BY PWD

Ableism is a product of capitalism. Not only the latter gave rise to oppression of disabled people, but it also perpetuates it. The idea of capitalism revolves around making a profit, hence excluding those deemed unfit. The most recent example would be of Amazon.com, owned by the world’s richest man Jeff Bezos. The company is famous for its ‘three-question hiring policy’, which although quite erroneous in itself as a concept, includes a question asking how the employee will increase the effectiveness or productivity at the workplace.[3] This excludes those who are disabled at the very first stage of recruitment. To add to the inequity, amazon has a cut-throat style of management which includes refraining the employees from taking bio breaks and quick at firing those who seem to develop health-related issues or want leave from work.[4] This is one of the many examples of injustice against those who don’t fit into the norms set by the society run by capitalists.

 

MENTAL DISABILITIES

Contrary to the ideas that ableists believe in, mentally and physically handicapped people have the ability to be a part of a profit-based economy. In case of mentally disabled people, the most common ‘hindrances’ are either disabilities that in most cases are due to nature (genetics) such as mental retardation*, or psychosomatic disorders caused usually because of nurture (environment) like General Anxiety Disorder, Depression or Schizophrenia. Retardation, which people commonly use as a slur, is often seen as a disability that leaves a person dependent on ‘normal’ people and cannot be a productive part of society. The reality is quite the opposite. Retardation is a spectrum, that can be classified into four types. Those at the mild and the moderate levels are capable of living independently and learn unskilled work.[5] In case of mental diseases, they are generally overlooked in the society and talked about with prejudice in mind, when these disorders are treatable and no different from physiological, more ‘acceptable’ diseases. In an inclusive environment, people with such issues are also capable of inducing profits. Generalising these people in one group and setting a stereotype not only causes their exclusion from the social space but from an economic setup as well.

 

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

For physically-handicapped persons, the situation seems to be worse due to the overt nature of their disability. People with genetic disorders such as Down syndrome or Muscular Dystrophy or those who inherit physical disabilities due to unfortunate situations are often overlooked when it comes to getting employment. Going against all these odds, people like Ali Topaloğlu, a Turkish athlete with Down Syndrome and Ira Singhal, an Indian civil officer with scoliosis who became the first PwD candidate to secure first rank in general category prove their worth to the society and leave a mark.[6]

 

CONCLUSION

People who are overtly and covertly considered different from the rest are also suited to be included in a world run by capitalism. Differently-abled people are seen solely as their disabilities, which reduces them to ‘objects’ to be mocked and looked down upon. They are people who have the ability to thrive and make a decent living for themselves. Even in situations where they face discriminatory behaviour, differently-abled people prove themselves capable. If profit-driven organisations and businesses, industries like sports, fashion etc. include them in the corporate space and society, society as a whole will blossom financially and socially.

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