• Kuo, H. J., Levine, A., & Park, J. (2022). Effect of education and contact experience on disability explicit and implicit biases. Journal of Rehabilitation.
• Levine, A., Park, J., & Kuo, H. J. (2020). Understanding disability biases in undergraduate rehabilitation students: an exploratory study. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 0034355220910238. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355220910238

Disability bias

Disability bias refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs that people hold towards individuals with disabilities. It is a form of discrimination that can manifest in various ways, such as stereotyping, exclusion, or differential treatment. Disability bias can occur both consciously and unconsciously, and it can be perpetuated by societal norms, media representations, and institutional policies. People with disabilities often face significant barriers to full participation in society, including in areas such as employment, education, and healthcare. Disability bias can have profound consequences for individuals with disabilities, including reduced opportunities, social isolation, and a decreased quality of life. It is important to recognize and address disability bias in order to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. As of now, we know that there are explicit biases and implicit biases. 

Explicit bias

Explicit bias refers to the attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes that people hold consciously and intentionally, and which are often expressed through words or actions. Unlike implicit biases, which are often unconscious and automatic, explicit biases are deliberate and can be openly acknowledged. Examples of explicit biases include overt acts of discrimination, such as using derogatory language or refusing to hire someone based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Explicit biases can also be expressed through more subtle forms of prejudice, such as making assumptions about someone's abilities or character based on their identity. While implicit biases are often the result of cultural conditioning and unconscious processes, explicit biases are more likely to be shaped by personal beliefs, experiences, and attitudes. It is important to recognize and address explicit bias in order to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in society. This can be done through education, self-reflection, and conscious efforts to overcome biases and treat others fairly and without prejudice.

Implicit bias

Implicit bias refers to the attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes that people hold unconsciously and automatically, without being aware of them. These biases can affect our behavior and decisions, even if we do not consciously endorse them. Implicit biases can be formed through exposure to cultural norms and media representations, as well as personal experiences and interactions with others. They can influence our perceptions and judgments of people based on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability. Implicit biases can manifest in various ways, including microaggressions, differential treatment, and exclusion. It is important to recognize and address implicit bias in order to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in society. This can be done through education, self-reflection, and conscious efforts to overcome biases and treat others fairly and without prejudice.

What do we know

Well...not much. We know that implicit biases are not related to explicit biases. And that is pretty much it. As for what makes implicit biases and how we amend them, there isn't a definite answer to the question. In fact, most of the training available nowadays focuses on raising awareness. Whereas raising awareness is imperative, it is just the first step. In the past, we believe that by increasing the chance for a person to have disability contact, their bias can be alleviated. However, literature also points out that superficial contact such as served by a person with disabilities at a coffee shop may not have effect on changing attitudes. The contact experience has to be meaningful and positive in order to render positive changes. Hence, it is a long way to go.