Understanding Disability Stereotypes: Why Age Matters

Stereotypes of physical disability shape expectations in interability communication, yet their content and evaluation remain understudied. Because perceptions of disability vary across the lifespan, this project examined age-related differences in disability stereotypes. First, nondisabled young, middle-aged, and older adults generated descriptors of physical disability, producing 344 unique traits; 53 positive and negative traits met frequency criteria. Older adults generated more positive traits, whereas younger adults generated more negative traits. Study 2 assessed perceived trait typicality and favorability. Factor analysis identified three stereotype clusters of traits: positive, negative, and assistance-oriented expectations. Younger adults rated the negative expectation cluster as more typical and favorable, whereas older adults rated the positive expectation cluster as more typical and favorable. Young and middle-aged adults viewed the assistance-oriented expectation cluster more favorably than older adults. These findings suggest that disability stereotypes are multidimensional and age-dependent. Positive expectations may encourage patronizing “supercrip” framing, negative expectations may increase intergroup anxiety and avoidance, and assistance-oriented expectations may promote unsolicited help and overaccommodation. Clarifying these stereotypes is key to improving interability communication.