By: Taylor Heine, Community Relations Specialist
Stella Young was an Australian disability rights advocate that famously coined the term, inspiration porn . Her 2014 TEDxSydney presentation, I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much , generated global conversation about the societal tendency to characterize people with disabilities as objects of inspiration. The late advocate helped society conceptualize the negative impact inspiration porn has on people with disabilities. She discussed how praising an individual with a disability for performing ordinary tasks has created an identity of pity and exclusion.
Although, individuals without disabilities do not intend to offend anyone, they must understand that being defined as inspiration is insulting to people with disabilities. As Stella Young explained,
“images objectify disabled people for the benefit of nondisabled people. They are there so that you can look at them and think that things aren't so bad for you, to put your worries into perspective.”
Society must acknowledge that these images negatively portray individuals with disabilities. The public must realize that people with disabilities deserve to be treated like every other citizen and their ability to participate in activities does not warrant praise. Let's ban the dissemination of inspiration porn and help others comprehend how the inaccurate characterization propagates exclusion.
Learn more about Inspiration Porn and Stella Young by viewing the video above.