Do you have 'ability privilege'?

Even the most sensitive and socially aware among us takes some privilege for granted.

By Rich_Maloof Mar 13, 2013 6:42PM

It’s a big month over at Everyday Feminism (EF), where they’re finding creative ways to celebrate Women’s History Month. While the site is a big draw for women, their core mission is about empowering anyone who finds herself or himself marginalized by societal norms.

The online magazine is raising issues that demand readers to challenge their assumptions about others and about themselves, even when that means asking women to question their treatment of other women. They’re asking readers of any gender, mindset or persuasion to recognize how they may have a privilege they don’t fully appreciate. Even more, EF also wants people to recognize that the privilege tends to be accompanied by subtle biases over others.

Do you have a privilege you’re taking for granted? Check out their piece on age privilege, and appreciate that you’re not written off as boring, uninformed or close-minded every time you open your mouth. Read about heterosexual privilege and appreciate being able to talk casually about your home and family life. Or read about thin privilege, a subject we touched on yesterday, and appreciate being able to find clothes that fit without visiting a specialty store.

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Even the most sensitive and socially aware among us takes some privilege for granted. You simply can’t move through time and space forever consumed by what others can or can’t do. But EF asks that we still take a moment to recognize that the simple capability to move through time and space is in itself a privilege.

“As able-bodied individuals,” EF’s Shannon Ridgway writes, “we live in a society that regularly and easily accommodates our every need. As such, we often forget the privilege that this entitles us.”

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Here’s a selection of five items from Ridgway’s list. See the entire article at EF’s 19 Examples of Ability Privilege.

#13. As a healthy person, you don’t have to think about your daily pain level when planning events and activities.

#10. You can expect to be included in group activities.

#9. Leisure activities like gardening, knitting or woodworking are easy for you.

#7. You have ample role models of your ability to whom you can aspire.

#1. You can go about your day without planning every task, like getting dressed or going to the bathroom.

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Do you have 'ability privilege'?

Even the most sensitive and socially aware among us takes some privilege for granted.

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