I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience

Ronald Reagan

The above is a classic witty response the then 69 year old Ronald Reagan had in a 1984 US presidential  debate when he was asked about whether his age would impact his ability to be president of the USA. Reagan went on to win the election and remain president for another term(leaving at the age of 73), and, rightly or wrongly, history tends to remember him as, at best, one of the 20^th century’s most effective US presidents, and at worst, a decent president. It’s interesting to me now, particularly given the increasing talk about the age of President Biden, and Former President Trump in the coming 2024 election that, nobody really mentions Reagan’s age when we look back at his time in office, and in fact, Reagan’s above quip has gone down in history, perhaps to illustrate its irrelevance to his competency.

It got me thinking though. Why is it, that when we hear talk about diversity and inclusion projects, equality regardless of age or disability, are two of  the sub-categories often omitted from the standard  menu?  Are there any similarities between these two protected characteristics that leads to them not being in focus as much?

I don’t know the answer to this question, and I can only give my  rambling opinion on this but I thought this would be a good forum to aver my  thoughts  and, hopefully get  readers thinking.

My take, for what it is worth…

As a legally blind lawyer, I have faced numerous challenges in my professional life. One of the biggest obstacles I have encountered is the discrimination that people with disabilities face.

Ageism is another form of discrimination that is often overlooked and is not given the same level of attention as other forms of discrimination. However, the similarities between disability and ageism are striking, and there is much that can be learned from the comparison.

At its core, both disability and ageism are about the perception of individuals who are different from what is considered “normal” by society. People with disabilities and older individuals are often seen as less capable, less productive, and less valuable than their able-bodied and younger counterparts (other than when new parents need a free baby-sitter…”. This perception leads to a range of discriminatory practices, including exclusion from certain jobs, reduced access to services and opportunities, and negative stereotypes.

One of the key lessons that can be learned from the comparison between disability and ageism is the importance of challenging stereotypes and changing cultural attitudes. People with disabilities and older individuals are often seen as “other” and are subject to stereotypes that are not based on reality. For example, people with disabilities are often seen as dependent, helpless, or a burden on society, while older individuals are often seen as frail, forgetful, or out of touch. These stereotypes are not only unfair, but they also limit opportunities for these groups of people.

Fear Factor?

At the core, my opinion is that these sections of society are omitted more, because of the fear each human has of  knowing that, one day, assuming they live a generally healthy life, they will become old and probably disabled. The presence of overtly negative societal stereotypes and depictions of elderly and disabled individuals, perhaps makes the idea of confronting the challenges faced by these sections of individuals more terrifying for most people. Most of us like to live in the present, and we don’t want to think about a time where things might be worse for us, so its easier to just ignore an unpleasant truth, rather than confront it head on.

 The great irony of this is, that given the inevitability of age and disability, making changes now, will, hopefully, in turn, make life easier and more accessible for all of us once we come to those stages of our lives but for some reason, it seems like we’re still wondering down the path of wilful ignorance.

Can Anything Be Done?

To combat these stereotypes, it is important to promote positive images and stories of people with disabilities and older individuals. This can be done through media representation, public education campaigns, and advocacy efforts. By highlighting the diversity and strength of these groups, we can challenge negative stereotypes and promote a more inclusive and accepting society.

Another lesson that can be learned from the comparison between disability and ageism is the importance of accessibility. People with disabilities and older individuals often face barriers to accessing services and opportunities that are taken for granted by others. For example, buildings may not be accessible to people with mobility impairments, or websites may not be designed with accessibility in mind. Similarly, older individuals may struggle with technology or may require accommodations to participate in certain activities.

To address these barriers, it is important to prioritize accessibility in all aspects of society. This includes designing buildings, websites, and other services with accessibility in mind, as well as providing accommodations and support for individuals who need them. By prioritizing accessibility, we can ensure that people with disabilities and older individuals have equal access to opportunities and services.

Finally, the comparison between disability and ageism highlights the importance of intersectionality. People with disabilities and older individuals are not a monolithic group, and they may also face discrimination based on other factors such as race, gender, faith, socio-economic background or sexual orientation. It is important to recognize and address these intersections to ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are all human, and that is one thing that all humans deserve.

And that is that. I would love to hear any views you have on this! Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you found this post interesting, you might also like to read my post on the connection between disability and mental health, and what this says about society. You can access that post here – The Chicken and the Egg: The Intertwined Relationship Between Disability and Mental Health

*Disclaimer  – The thoughts on this post are mine. They are based off the life experiences, difficulties and challenges of a man having lived with, worked and experienced the world with a sight impairment who is lucky enough to use these for the betterment of disabled individuals and society in general. Other  individuals may have alternative  views to those of my own which will be just as valid as my own.