AccessINCLUDES

You can search the internet for glossaries that describe the meanings of disability, accessibility, universal design, and other related terms. We have included some examples:

• Glossary of Disability-Related Terms
• Glossary of ADA Terms
• Disability Glossary

There are many ways to learn about the experiences of people with disabilities, even if you do not interact with them directly. Many books and articles offer stories about people with disabilities, but many people with disabilities have also shared their own experiences through books, articles, videos, blog posts, and other sources.

Ableism is a pervasive system of discrimination that privileges people without disabilities and disadvantages people with disabilities. Like other forms of oppression for marginalized groups, ableism can occur in interactions between individuals, in institutions, between individuals and organizations, within social systems, and as part of social norms, expectations, and policies. Ableist thinking suggests that there is a "normal" way to live life, where certain abilities are essential to inclusion and happiness.

Researchers, practitioners, and people with disabilities have expressed many different perspectives, often called models, about what it means to have a disability. An embraced model of disability can influence what people consider to be the causes of the marginalization of people with disabilities in societies; within different historical periods, these beliefs have impacted the creation and implementation of legislation, policies, and practices. Although terminology and definitions vary and can change over time, below are short descriptions of some overarching models of disability.