‘Othering’ is the process of viewing and treating a person or a group as "other," because they seem different, alien, or inferior to us. This "us vs. them" mentality often involves creating a dominant social group identity resulting in exclusion and stigmatizing another group due to assumed perceptions about the other’s race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. It can lead to marginalization, social exclusion, and prejudice.
This week Ruth will explore ‘Othering’ and ‘Disability’ with Wendy Kelly, the Diversity and Inclusion Officer with Nexus Primary Health in Seymour, Victoria.
Ever since a severe accident as a teenager Wendy has lived her life in a wheelchair. She therefore knows first hand what it is to be treated differently because of having a disability. She continues to witness and experience ignorance and disinterest by able bodied people in what’s needed to ensure people with disability may also live fully supported and fulfilled lives.
Wendy has spent much of her personal and professional life raising awareness supporting others with disability, as well as creating opportunities for them to train and participate in competitive team sports in the Lower Hume Region.
Focusing on ‘othering’ and ‘disability’ includes shining the light on ‘ableism’ which allows us to unpack the often unconscious prejudice, discrimination, and social bias against people with disabilities, and the subsequent assumption that non-disabled people are superior.
Through self-reflection and empathy we become aware of the inherited conditioning that leads us to these inclinations and bias, and instead develop interest in challenging such assumptions. Curiosity often follows bringing with it the discovery of much joy and delight in diversity.

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