When your company envisions a “normal” employee or a “normal” customer, who do they see? And when does that definition of “normal” underscore an ableist bias within the business?

00:00 Facts you should know
00:59 Meet Lydia X. Z. Brown
01:36 Is my workplace ableist?
03:33 What does ableism look like?
05:35 How to be an anti-ableist ally
07:42 How to own up to mistakes
08:40 What needs to change?

Ableism is defined as discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. And, essentially, ableism is a set of values and beliefs about what kinds of people are normal and what kinds of people aren't. Similar to sexism, or racism, or ageism — ableism is wrong, ableism is hurtful, and ableism is systemic.

I wanted to know: What does ableism at work look like? If you do see it, how can you be a better ally? And what can we do to create fairer work environments that are inclusive to all? I sought answers from Lydia X. Z. Brown, disability justice advocate, disability studies adjunct professor, attorney-activist, and organizer. Watch and learn how to recognize ableist policies and systems at work, tactical ways to be a better ally, and why chasing productivity has a real human cost.

This video originally published on HBR's Ascend YouTube Channel in August, 2022.

Learn more about Lydia X. Z. Brown’s work:
https://lydiaxzbrown.com/
https://autistichoya.net/
  / lydiaxzbr.  .

Produced by Andy Robinson, Christine Liu, and Kelsey Alpaio
Video and Editing by Andy Robinson, Christine Liu
Animation and Design by Alex Belser and Karen Player

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