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Race and Disability

The nation is home to nearly 13 million people of color with disabilities. Until recently, grantmakers overlooked the intersection of race and disability, viewing them as separate systems of oppression. However, employment, education, and financial stability are profoundly affected, with Black and Indigenous communities experiencing the greatest impact. This curated learning examines the current landscape of race and disability, alongside recommendations for funders on combating racism and ableism to advance disability justice.

Photo Credit: Gritchelle Fallesgon for Disabled And Here.

Three masked disabled people of color chat while strolling through an outdoor courtyard. On the left, an Indigenous woman wears glasses, wrist support braces, and waist trainers paired with a off-shoulder top and wide leg pants. In the middle, a Black non-binary woman walks with a rollator and wears waist trainers with ice pack inserts over their rainbow striped dress. On the right, a Latinx non-binary person walks while using a teal functional grip cane.

In this curated learning, you will learn how racism and ableism are indelibly connected by exploring the following concepts:

  • How racism and ableism intersect
  • Impacts of ableism and racism in different communities of color
  • Recommendation on inclusive grantmaking
  • The disability justice framework
  • Racism, ableism, and employment

Materials

1

Resource: Racial Equity and Disability

This webinar examines how the impacts of systemic disability discrimination disproportionately affect disabled people of color and the role philanthropy can play in advancing equity and social justice.

Go to Resource 1

Reflection Questions:

  1. When examining your organization’s strategic priorities do you discuss how ableism and racism intersect?
  2. What are some ways your organization can work towards dismantling racism and disability?
  3. Have you experienced challenges due to intersecting identities?

2

Resource: Race and Disability: A New Reckoning

This report reviews how the philanthropic sector historically missed the connection between racism and ableism and what steps different organizations are now taking.

Go to Resource 2

Reflection Questions:

  1. When examining the statistics that highlight the intersection of racism and ableism, can you think of a time when you witnessed the negative impact? What was the scenario?
  2. Which examples from the report on how organizations are trying to change their grantmaking is your organization most likely to implement?

3

Resource: What is Disability Justice?

This article discusses the origin and definition of disability justice as a movement and framework.

Go to Resource 3

Reflection Questions:

  1. What aspect of disability justice speaks to you the most?
  2. How does the “myth of independence” show up in your work?
  3. When working with other justice organizations have you seen them embrace the disability justice movement, in what ways?

4

Resources: Philanthropy to Center BIPOC Disabled People | How Ableism and Racism Affects Disabled Immigrants | Environmental Racism

These videos shine a light on the intersection of race and disability as well as other intersecting identities.

Go to Resource 4 – Center BIPOC Disabled People
Go to Resource 4 – Ableism and Racism
Go to Resource 4 – Environmental Racism

Reflection Questions:

  1. What signs of White supremacy exist in your organization?
  2. How does your organization disseminate information to organizations where English may not be their primary language?
  3. What are some recent examples of environmental racism creating disability?
  4. Does your organization look at the environment and disability when giving out grants?

5

Resource: Anti-Black Racism and Ableism in the Workplace

In this article, the writer shares their experience with anti-Black racism and ableism at a past employer.

Go to Resource 5

Reflection Questions:

  1. When entering a new workplace, how have your visible identities impacted your experience?
  2. What is your experience with giving someone a reasonable accommodation?
  3. How does your organization engage disabled employees?
Questionnaire

Once you have completed this curated learning module, please complete the questionnaire.