Understanding, Confronting and Coping with Ableism
In partnership with Mycpguide, CPSN hosted a webinar exploring ableism through both research and lived experience. The session shared findings from a peer-led research project conducted by Deakin University and CPSN, led by Cadeyrn Gaskin (social scientist and research lead) and a research team made up of people with cerebral palsy and able-bodied allies. Together, they explored an issue central to the lives of adults with cerebral palsy: ableism, particularly as it appears in everyday interactions.
As Cadeyrn explained, the goal was to centre lived experience and define success on participants’ own terms:
“We wanted to know how adults with cerebral palsy had successfully confronted ableism … and how they successfully coped with ableism in general.”
The session was presented by members of the research team including Cadeyrn Gaskin, Adam Goodridge (software engineer), Finn O’Keefe (community worker and advocate), and Alex Birnie (student and community leader)
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Understanding Ableism
Adam Goodridge opened by grounding the audience in what ableism is and how often it goes unrecognised, drawing on both research and personal experience.
Living with cerebral palsy and working as a software engineer, he shared how ableism has shaped his day-to-day life:
“Throughout my life I’ve encountered ableism in many forms - sometimes subtle, sometimes direct, and often even from people who genuinely mean well.”
This perspective reinforced a key message of the session: ableism can appear in many different ways and is often embedded in everyday interactions that may not immediately be recognised as harmful.
Adam referred to these as everyday microaggressions, including infantilising language, being labelled “inspirational” for ordinary tasks, unwanted help, intrusive questions, and being overlooked or spoken for.
These interactions may seem small, but they can accumulate over time and shape people’s experiences of the world. Adam discussed a range of real-life examples during the webinar, which can be viewed in the full recording.
Confronting Ableism: What Works
Finn O’Keefe, a community worker with cerebral palsy, shared insights from the research on how people with cerebral palsy respond to ableism in real life and what “success” can look like.
“It can feel awkward talking about personal achievements. But if you congratulated me for winning an award, I'd feel proud too. But if you congratulated me for catching a bus (which has happened), I’d know you mean well but it feels awkward in a different way. And that’s one of the conundrums of ableism. How do you confront that?”
Finn explained that the research explored 23 real-life examples from adults with cerebral palsy, examining how people responded to ableism and what outcomes followed.
A key finding was that ableism is not just occasional - it builds over time through both major incidents and everyday microaggressions.
“I wish I could hit the pause button on ableism for a while … you have the big moments … but you have all the micro, subtle forms that just continue as well.”
Despite this, many participants found it difficult to identify “successful” examples of confronting ableism. This was often due to self-doubt, pressure to respond perfectly, and the emotional toll of constantly navigating these situations. External factors also played a role, including well-meaning people who did not recognise their behaviour as ableist.
From these experiences, five key strategies emerged, forming a practical “toolbox” for responding to ableism:
• Educating others to challenge misconceptions
• Demonstrating independence and declining unnecessary help
• Self-advocating, either in the moment or afterwards
• Using humour or bluntness to call out inappropriate behaviour
D• isengaging and removing yourself from the situation
A key insight was that success is not just about changing someone else’s behaviour.
“Success is not a single outcome – it can be whatever allows someone to maintain dignity, a sense of control, and peace with themselves.”
Watch the full webinar recording to hear real-life examples of each strategy in action and how different responses can lead to different outcomes depending on the situation.
Coping with Ableism Over Time
Alex Birnie’s section shifted the focus from responding in the moment to what happens afterwards - how people live with, process, and move forward from ableist experiences.
As she explained:
“Coping simply means how people manage stressful situations.”
The research identified four key ways adults with cerebral palsy cope with ableism:
Changing their thinking about disability and ableism
Participating in everyday activities
Seeking social support
Trying to change society
A powerful theme was the shift from seeing disability as an individual problem to recognising societal barriers as the issue.
“The problem isn’t me. The problem is ableism and structural issues in society that exclude disabled people.”
Many participants also described coping through action by contributing to change. This included educating others, advocating, and embracing disability identity as a source of strength.
“I used to avoid being seen as a person with a disability. Now … I believe it is essential to change society.”
Key Takeaways
• Ableism is common, often subtle, and widely misunderstood
• Everyday interactions can have a cumulative impact on wellbeing
• There is no single “right” way to respond to ableism
• Confronting ableism can be a form of self-advocacy and empowerment
• Coping involves both mindset shifts and strong support networks
• Change happens at both an individual and societal level
This research highlighted that ableism can mean different things to different people, and each individual may respond to it differently both psychologically and emotionally.
While we do not yet know how experiences of ableism may change as people age with cerebral palsy, continuing to educate the next generation remains an important step towards greater understanding and inclusion.
Learn More
Watch the full webinar recording and explore Mycpguide’s blog series on ableism:
Successfully Confronting and Coping with Ableism – Part 1
Successfully Confronting and Coping with Ableism – Part 2
Successfully Confronting and Coping with Ableism – Part 3
Where to Find Support
This webinar includes discussion about prejudice and discrimination experienced by people with cerebral palsy, as well as sexual references. Some people may find this content distressing. If you need support, your GP is a good place to start.
• Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) – Information and support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention
• Lifeline (13 11 14) – 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention
• CPSN (1300 277 600) – Cerebral palsy information and support