Cross-Disability Experiences of Ableism: Implications for Counselors.

Background: Experiences of ableism are common among disabled individuals. Although experiences can differ based on a person's diagnoses and individual factors, some types of ableism are likely common across individuals with different disabilities. Objective: The current study aimed to synthesize experiences of ableism that are common across individuals with various disabilities. Methods: The current study utilized semistructured interviews with 21 participants with various disabilities to determine what kinds of ableist experiences are prevalent. The participants had a variety of visible and invisible disabilities. Researchers used flexible coding to identify themes. Findings: Coding revealed four themes—lack of accommodations, not being believed, work of disability, and attitudes of others—encompassing 15 subthemes. Conclusions: In addition to descriptions of ableism found in literature, such as having accommodations denied and being objectified or dehumanized, the current results highlight additional impacts of ableism, including the functional and emotional labor of coping with ableist structures and attitudes.