Editorial: Ableism and disablism

Welcome to this special issue focusing on themes inspired by the concepts of ableism and disablism. Our initial inspiration for this issue came from the long time it has been since there was an issue of Context focusing on working with systems that include people with learning disabilities (2011). However, following a bit of research we were surprised to realise that there has never been a special issue of Context focused on disability. This seems strange as attention has gone to most other characteristics protected under the Equality Act (2010). Disability is one of the few characteristics that any of us might enter at any point in our lives, perhaps with increasing likelihood as we grow older. Those of us who describe ourselves as ‘ablebodied’ or ‘mentally well’ can really only consider ourselves to be so in the moment. For this reason, it seems wise as reflexive practitioners, to allow ourselves time to explore our relationship with our ideas and practices with people who live with physical or mental impairments that may lead them to be defined as somehow different from an often more valued norm and, consequently, often experience discrimination and excessive demands on their emotional and relational labour.