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Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

The education system is a topic that nearly everybody has an opinion about (a bit like the coronavirus) and has their theories on how to fix. And while our opinions might diverge, most of us can agree that it’s something that can (and should) be improved in some countries. It’s just a question of how, to what extent, and to what purpose.

One viral Twitter thread with 151k likes is causing a lot of debate online. User THE1EL3VEN stated that the school system is ‘ableist’ and listed her reasons why. An overwhelming number of Twitter users rushed to share their own reasons why school is ableist and praised the original poster for pointing out the flaws in the system.

Such a large amount of support for the thread shows that the underlying issues related to ableism in education are very real and are obviously important to a lot of young people. Ignoring these issues could lead to further problems down the line, as well. This is making us wonder, how the youngest generations are going to change the school system if so many of their members are aware of the major problems.

However, a minority of readers had a different opinion. Some critics had an issue with the fact that THE1EL3VEN seemingly found nearly every aspect of school life and following any rules to be problematic. According to some commenters, school is supposed to prepare you for adult life, not ignore reality and useful skills. But most people were in support of the original poster. What do you think of THE1EL3VEN’s thread? Do you agree or disagree with her statement that school is ableist? Why? Have a read and share your thoughts with everyone in the comment section.

One Twitter user sparked a discussion online when she listed the reasons why school is ableist

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: THE1EL3VEN

With so many -isms floating around in modern life, it can be easy to get lost between all of them. In case you didn’t know, ableism is discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities and in favor of able-bodied people.

According to Chicago-based organization ‘Access Living’ that aims to protect civil rights, challenge stereotypes, and champion social reforms, ableism is a word that’s often left out of debates.

“The world wasn’t built with people with disabilities in mind, and because of that, the world we live in is inherently ‘ableist,’” explains Ashley Eisenmenger. She stresses that at the core of ableism is the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing’ and that they’re defined by their disability.

Ableism can take many forms. Some of them overt, like segregating students with disabilities into separate schools. Some of them subtle like ‘ableism microaggressions’ which can include saying that something’s ‘retarded’ or that someone’s crazy. Eisenmenger says that words and phrases like this imply that disability is something that’s ‘bad’ rather than a “normal, inevitable part of the human experience.”

Other people pitched in with their own opinions about the education system being ableist

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: hencIairs

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: cartersleia

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: cartersleia

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: prfoundbond

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: WorldYea

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: rileyackles

Twitter Thread With 38 Reasons Why The School System Is Ableist Goes Viral

Image credits: Taikofan04

61Kviews

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

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Do you agree or disagree with her statement that school is ableist? Why?

POST

Tiari 3 years ago (edited)

So teaching pupils skills they will need in most jobs is ableist? Huh, who knew.

84points

RoseTheMad 3 years ago

There's a difference in choosing to go into a job where you will need these skills, and being forced into these "skills". Speaking as neurodivergent myself, I could never work in retail, could never have an office job or be in a position that I'm face to face with a lot of people. There's plenty of jobs that don't require this. I'm in the UK and honestly? Both the UK and the US school systems need to step up their game when it comes to dealing with the mental health of their students. I've long believed that around the world, schools should have a class on mental health, and on the fact that not everyone is neurotypical. I'm not saying that everything has to change, but people do need to be more understanding.

17points

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StormWolf 3 years ago

Being Gen X myself, I do get your point...up to a point. I both loved and loathed school. I was academically gifted and loved learning-a happy nerd - but due to extreme anxiety (had a stress ulcer at 14) and a bad stammer, the active vocal participation part of school was hell on earth. And no, it didn't "prepare me for the real world", it merely ensured the onset of panic attacks when called on to present or speak up later in life. I agree kids shouldn't be sheltered or coddled, but it should be handled case-by-case. Repeat after me: We Are All Individuals 😉

6points

Jade Lynn - Panda's Brat 3 years ago

Some people cannot be "taught" certain things because their brain and/or body will NOT allow them to do those things. They should not be told they are not good enough because of how their body/brain is able/not able to do things.

6points

Grumble O'Pug 3 years ago

Thank you. Meeting deadlines, passing tests, giving presentations, OMG, what next? Doing the work assigned, learning something and proving you learned it. Honestly I am a little tired of laziness being confused for a disabled person. Schools will accommodate issues.

4points

Katherine Boag 3 years ago

Most jobs don't require you to work in a group, to present in front of many people, to sit perfectly still without fidgeting, to never choose your own music.

4points

Spinaap 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Aliquid A 3 years ago

And if you don't fit into, and have no interest in "most jobs"... then don't bother with school and give up?

-1point

Vincent Philippart 3 years ago (edited)

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A.M. Pierre 3 years ago (edited)

I completely understand how these things would be difficult or impossible for people with different medical conditions. However, it sounds like they're saying that a school is discriminating against those students merely by having certain broad requirements like "turn in assignments on time". It a teacher was told "my child needs to take a walk once an hour" but still insisted on the child never walking, that's one thing. But this sounds like they're saying that a teacher having a general class rule like "you can't just get up and leave for a twenty-minute walk whenever you feel like it" is discriminatory, and that seems a bit much.

76points

Taibhse Sealgair 3 years ago

In the US, at least, if you can document that a student requires special treatment due to a diagnosed medical condition (Which 99% of the time is something as simple as a doctor's note stating that the student requires X. You don't have to reveal the actual condition.), then the school will accommodate it provided the special treatment doesn't impact the other students right to learn. So if you bring a note saying that student X has a problem maintaining focus and that the teacher will need to dress as a clown to keep the student's attention, that probably won't happen. But if the note says the student needs to carry some snacks/candy/food in their pocket at all times and be allowed to eat said snacks/candy/food whenever needed, well that happens all the time.

30points

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Delaney Williams 3 years ago

Speaking as someone with ADHD and Autism, I feel like I should address those things. ADHD impairs object permanence and organizational skills. If I don't see an assignment, I'll forget about it. And as for walks, many neurodivergent people have sensory issues, and the ruckus of the classroom can cause us to become irritable. Walks can help us calm down.

2points

carmelosf15 3 years ago

A.M. Pierre what

0points

Bill 3 years ago

This article sounds a lot like whinning

68points

Aragorn II Elessar 3 years ago

To the OP: Welcome to Earth! All you’re doing is failing to teach the students about the world, and when they finally enter it, they will be completely and utterly f****d. It’s cool that you want to help kids with disabilities, but really? This is a wee bit overkill, and again, you’re only delaying these kids having to deal with s**t a little bit, 5 years, 10 years.

28points

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Ana 3 years ago

I agree

9points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

The world is not friendly to those with any disabilities, whether cognitive or physical or otherwise. Not any nation in particular, just, y'know, humanity & world in general. So... help those with problems to overcome the obvious obstacles (like the fact ramps for wheelchairs aren't very popular!) and to not lose hope! My youngest niece has "issues" and she lost all hope at age *eight* b/c she wasn't "normal enough" for the schools. But the "special" school made her feel *worse*. This is a kid, @Bill. A CHILD. She shouldn't be asking us how to die so she won't be left out anymore of the simplest things ---- like getting to the cafeteria at school to eat!

7points

Vincent Philippart 3 years ago

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Tiari 3 years ago (edited)

So teaching pupils skills they will need in most jobs is ableist? Huh, who knew.

84points

RoseTheMad 3 years ago

17points

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StormWolf 3 years ago

6points

Jade Lynn - Panda's Brat 3 years ago

6points

Grumble O'Pug 3 years ago

4points

Katherine Boag 3 years ago

Most jobs don't require you to work in a group, to present in front of many people, to sit perfectly still without fidgeting, to never choose your own music.

4points