‘Disabled Joy is Resistance’: Insights and Recommendations from Social Psychology on Reducing Ableism

Abstract

Ableism, encompassing discrimination and social oppression of disabled people, which results in their marginalization, persists as a significant global barrier to equity and inclusion. This paper explores how social psychological research can inform strategies to combat ableism by analyzing the social processes that underlie ableist attitudes and actions. Social Identity Theory speaks to the role of identity in countering the marginalization of disabled people, whilst the Stereotype Content Model helps us to understand the origins of the stigma often attached to ‘disability’. Research in these two fields is reviewed alongside discursive research in social psychology to determine how to work towards a more anti-ableist society. Based on my experience as a social psychologist and disabled person, and by integrating theoretical insights with practical applications, this paper advocates for a multi-level social psychological approach to building anti-ableist spaces, emphasizing educational and social policy recommendations.