Hi Reader,

Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). I've been thinking deeply and experiencing the ableism that seeps through into so many spaces where folks (especially big organisations) claim to be supportive, accessible and inclusive. And that's where it ends, at the claim. The reality is possibly WORSE than if they had not claimed any access efforts at all…

"but at least we tried, right?"

Wrong.

Performative Accessibility happens when spaces, events and organisations claim to be "accessible" but disabled people are still excluded. It's ticking boxes without creating real access. When access is an afterthought, a checkbox, or something disabled people have to fight for, the ableist barriers remain in place.

Here are a list of ways that performative accessibility shows up (and so many of these are from my and my community's recent experiences).

Physical Space Barriers

1. Quiet room promised but you need a key and to find someone who knows where it is
2. Quiet room that's bright, has hard seating, and three random fidgets
3. Accessible toilet stall too narrow to turn a wheelchair or walker
4. Reserved accessible seating in the worst spot (back corner, obstructed view)

Communication & Information Access

1. "Accessible format available on request" (making disabled folks do extra labour to access basic content)
2. Posts about disability access that are barely readable due to low contrast or tiny, hard-to-read fonts
3. Huge AAC communication board in playground mounted too high for kids and many adults to reach
4. Communication organisation offering podcast transcripts "on request" then taking weeks to respond (if they ever do)
5. Sign language interpreter positioned where you can't see both them and the speaker
6. No information available in advance about event space, schedule, food, or info provided that doesn't match reality
7. Event with no explicit invitation to participate in the way that feels right for you, no info about options or permission to use them

Intersectionality & Exclusion

1. Disability events that only feature white disabled speakers and ignore disabled people of colour's lived experiences
2. "Accessible" services and events with no consideration for cultural or religious needs (e.g. prayer space, halal/kosher food, family interaction norms)
3. Disability support spaces that silence or exclude discussion of racism, making them unsafe for disabled people of colour
4. "Inclusive" events in expensive venues or requiring costly transport that low-income disabled people can't access
5. Disability resources only available in English when many disabled people speak other languages as their first language

NDIS-Specific Barriers

1. NDIS plans that promise supports but the goals funded have no connection to your reality, support needs or what you actually told them
2. NDIS review process requiring you to continually prove that your lifelong disability is still disabling
3. NDIS calling for very important things, with no warning, options, or no transparency. No system to uphold stated communication preferences (but they asked, isn't that enough? It's not.)

Social & Attitudinal Barriers

1. "Service animals welcome" but staff challenge you anyway
2. "Please let us know your access needs" but you have to re-explain to every single person
3. Disability access created with zero disabled people involved (or meaningfully involved)
4. Event feedback form with no option to report accessibility barriers
5. Accommodation granted but framed as a "special favour" or "exception we're making"
6. "Hidden disabilities welcome" event but zero staff training on how to actually support people with invisible disabilities
7. People questioning your parking permit, access needs, or why you "need" accommodations

This is just the tip of the Performative Accessibility iceberg.

The bigger the organisation, the more inexcusable these barriers are. We're all learning and trying to do better, but real change must start at the top, with government, leadership, and large organisations that listen to disabled people and commit resources to genuine co-created access.

Reflection

Where have you seen performative accessibility show up? What barriers have you experienced or witnessed that claim to be inclusive but still exclude disabled people?

Hit reply and let me know.

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Take care. Wishing you a day and week full of understanding, support, respect and being seen for who you are and what you need to thrive!

Adina

Adina Levy AuDHDer, Speech Therapist & Professional Educator Play. Learn. Chat. hi@playlearnchat.com • www.playlearnchat.com ​ Learn with me Neurodiversity Affirming Practice – Introductory Workshop Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Webinars for Professionals Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course for Speech Therapists Neurodiversity Affirming Practice PD for Teams (Group discounts) 🙋🏼‍♀️ Hi! I'm Adina, a neurodivergent Speech Therapist and professional educator from Sydney, Australia. I’m so happy you’re here! I’m an AuDHDer, (Autistic ADHDer). My life’s stories and experiences intertwine with my clinical experiences, and the lived experiences and perspectives of diverse neurodivergent people. These perspectives inform everything that I teach and share. I’m dedicated to helping families, therapists, educators, teachers and communities to understand neurodivergent children better, and develop a deeper acceptance of children’s unique interests, passions, individual strengths and support needs. I am an educator, podcaster, speaker, and I send helpful emails around Neurodiversity Affirming practice and support, that I hope will help you support the neurodivergent children in your life with more clarity and confidence! ⚫️🟡🔴​ 🔵⚪️🟢​​ ​I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which I ​live, work and play - the Gadigal and the Bidjigal people. I recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I pay my respects to Elders past​ and present.​ I acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands where you are reading this from today. GET LESS EMAILS FROM ME: If you want to stop receiving regular weekly emails but you'd like to still get any other emails you've signed up for (e.g. if you've purchased a webinar, course, you're on a waitlist, you're a Community Member) - reply saying "LESS EMAILS"

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