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Actors against Ableism? Qualities of Nondisabled Allies from the Perspective of People with Physical Disabilities
Author(s) -
Ostrove Joan M.,
Kornfeld Madeleine,
Ibrahim Marium
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/josi.12346
Subject(s) - ableism , trustworthiness , thematic analysis , psychology , perspective (graphical) , identity (music) , social psychology , physical disability , politics , qualitative research , sociology , political science , aesthetics , gender studies , law , social science , philosophy , artificial intelligence , computer science , psychiatry
We report the results of an interview‐based study of the qualities that people with physical and sensory disabilities use to describe effective nondisabled allies. Participants ( n = 16) were asked to describe a nondisabled person in their life who understood and cared about the concerns of people with disabilities. A thematic analysis of their responses suggested that they appreciated nondisabled people who offered appropriate help, were trustworthy in their understanding of disability identity, made personal connections, advocated and acted against ableism, were willing to learn, and communicated effectively. Consistent with research about White allies to people of color, participants emphasized both political and social dimensions of being an ally.