Experiences of Ableism and Racism Among Racially Minoritized Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities

Sally Lindsay (), Peiwen Cao, Nicole Thomson, Jennifer Stinson and Sharon Smile
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Sally Lindsay: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8, Canada
Peiwen Cao: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8, Canada
Nicole Thomson: Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
Jennifer Stinson: Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, 170 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1E8, Canada
Sharon Smile: Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Youth with disabilities face persistent disability-related discrimination (ableism) but research frequently overlooks the experiences of racially minoritized youth. The purpose of our study was to explore the experiences and perceived impact of discrimination among racially minoritized youth and young adults with disabilities. This qualitative study involved a sample of 15 youth and young adults with disabilities (mean age 22 years) identifying as racially minoritized. A descriptive inductive thematic analysis was applied to the interview data. Our findings highlighted the following themes: (1) types of discrimination (i.e., cultural and family-related ableism, racist ableism, and gendered/sexist ableism); (2) perceived impact of discrimination (i.e., social isolation, avoidance of unwelcoming and unsafe situations, impact on physical and mental health, decisions about identity disclosure, and a lack of access to resources and opportunities); and (3) positive coping strategies (i.e., inclusive and safe spaces, self-advocacy, and social and family supports).

Keywords: ableism; discrimination; diversity; racism; youth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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