Disability in American Art Glossary
Critical Glossary
This glossary brings together the key terms that underpin our exhibition alongside the definitions that inform our understanding and discussions of the wide range of experiences of disability and Critical Disability Studies. Many of these terms are flexible and evolving—their meaning depends on the context or person using them—thus we recognize that our definition is one among many. Some of these definitions have been directly sourced from outside scholars and institutions, while others have been interpreted in conversation with collaborators and texts. These sources are referenced with each term, and we appreciate their valuable perspectives.
Cameron “Joey” Koo, Bella Lam, Sheng Ren
Please see our Bibliography page for more information on key source material and theory, and additional readings.
Glossaries for further reading:
National Center for Disability and Journalism, Language Style Guide
Invisible Disability Project, Words Matter (with audio definitions)
Ableism
“Ableism” refers to discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities. Ableism comes in all forms, from overt prejudice to more subtle microaggressions.”
Disability activists and scholars also have a broader definition of ableism. Talila A. Lewis describes ableism as “A system of assigning value to people's bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, productivity, desirability, intelligence, excellence, and fitness. These constructed ideas are deeply rooted in eugenics, anti-Blackness,
misogyny, colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism.”
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Quote sourced from: Disability Language Guide
For the complete quote of Talila A. Lewis’s working definition please see: “Working Definition of Ableism - January 2022 Update” (January 1, 2022)
Access Intimacy
A feeling stemming from a mutual understanding, recognition, and anticipation of disabled folks’ accessibility needs and requirements, that enables trust, comfort, and care between individuals and institutions.
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See: Mia Mingus, “Access Intimacy: The Missing Link,” May 5, 2011.
Alt-text
Brief descriptive text for an online image or graphic able to be read by screen readers.
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See: Bojana Coklyat and Finnegan Shannon, Alt-text as poetry
Critical Disability Studies
An intersectional, interdisciplinary academic field that examines how disability is constructed politically, socially, and culturally over time.
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d/Deaf
The Deaf - is a shared deaf culture, identity, language and community.
deaf (lower-case) is in reference to those who cannot hear or have low-hearing.
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See: Davis, “Deafness and Insight: The Deafened Moment as a Critical Modality”, 1995
Disability / Disabled
Broadly, a physical, mental, or emotional difference that limits a person’s movements, activities, or senses.
See: Invisible disability project
Disability Aesthetic(s)
An approach that values disability as an aesthetic category. It argues that disability shapes how modern art is perceived and that access, sensation, and bodily difference are central to aesthetic experience.
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Tobin Siebers, Disability Aesthetics (2010); Amanda Cachia, Sensory Aesthetics (2025).
Disability Pride
A stance of resistance against shame and ableism, affirming disability as an identity. It recognizes the wholeness and beauty of disabled bodies and minds.
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Sins Invalid, 10 Principles of Disability Justice (2015).
Visual Access
Refers to the ability to obtain and understand information through vision or, when vision is limited, through other sensory modes. It describes vision as a shared, multi-sensory experience rather than one confined to sight alone. In museum practice, visual access involves translating visual information into other sensory formats—such as tactile, auditory, or verbal forms—to enhance accessibility for diverse audiences.
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Amanda Cachia, “Sensory Aesthetics,” in The Agency of Access (2025).
Visual Description
Written or verbal descriptions of images or visual elements that make information and context accessible to blind/low-vision folks.
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See: American Anthropological Association, “Guidelines for Creating Image Descriptions”; Philly Touch Tours
“Crip Technoscience”
The creation, refashioning, and development of assistive devices and modalities of care created by and for disabled makers.
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See: Hamraie and Fritsch. “Crip Technoscience Manifesto.” 1–33.
“Crip time”
A theory that centers how disabled people experience time. “Crip time” challenges normative standards around work, daily life, life stages, and futures for disability and disabled people.
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See: Ellen Samuels, “6 Ways of Looking”; Alison Kafer, “Time for Disability and a Future for Crips” from Feminist, Queer, Crip
“Crip”
A term used by some disabled people in in-group and academic circles to describe the encompassing and expansive experience(s) of disability.
This term has been reclaimed from a derogatory term, and revitalized by disabled activists, scholars, and makers to encompass the many intersections of disability.
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Chen, et al. Crip Genealogies, 1-9.