Infiltrators in academia: ableism in the university from the experience of academics with disabilities/ functional diversity in Chile

Abstract

This paper, written by two university professors with disabilities, aims to provide insight into the ableism present in Chilean universities. To reflect on ableism in academia, we examined the experiences of university professors with disabilities or functional diversity (including our own experiences). Professors face additional workloads related to being forced to deal with barriers imposed by the physical environment and ableist attitudes. Disclosing or communicating a disability in the university setting is a complex process. The risks of doing so are stigmatization and discrimination, and the benefits are unclear. Academics with disabilities/functional diversity develop strategies of resistance to face a university environment that stigmatizes and discriminates . We need universities to modify their infrastructure and discriminatory culture and become safe spaces for people with disabilities.