Intersectional Anti-Racist Practice with the Disability Community

Abstract

Many intersections exist between communities of colour, the disability community, and other social identity groups. For example, one in four Black or African American members in the United States are disabled. Disability is also more prevalent in queer communities. Yet, social workers in the helping professions rarely make these connections. The application of an intersectional, anti-oppressive, “critically culturally competence” theoretical practice framework for empowerment-oriented work with the disability community is presented. Specific guidance is provided for addressing how social service providers can develop their “disability lenses” in pursuit of anti-racist and anti-ableist practices.