Microaggressions Against Women With Physical Disability

Adams-Mock, A. and Canady, B. and Englund, R. (2025) Microaggressions Against Women With Physical Disability. Stigma and Health. ISSN 2376-6964

Abstract

Microaggressions are pervasive in everyday life for individuals who hold marginalized identities, such as persons with disability. Although disability comprises the largest minority group in the world, limited research examines microaggressions among persons with disability. The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of microaggressions among women with physical disability. Recruited from social media groups, women with physical disability (N = 108) completed an electronic survey including the Ableist Microaggressions Scale and a demographics questionnaire, which included disability-specific questions (e.g., age of onset). All participants reported some level of microaggressions. The study also found that specific experiences, including number of surgeries, age of onset, and number of health concerns were associated with the number and type of reported microaggressions. Findings from this study further our understanding of microaggressions encountered by women with disability, a group underrepresented within the research. Further implications are discussed.