White background with black typeface that says “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.”
I haven’t climbed steps in at least four years, and prior to that, I only ever struggled my way up and down stairs on rare occasions when it was absolutely necessary. In spite of the absence of regular stair-climbing from my life, I’ve achieved quite a bit over the past 22 years. I’m sharing this not to brag, but to prove a point: disabled people can take the elevator to get to where they need to go and still be successful.
Apparently, many nondisabled people disagree, likely unintentionally. Multiple times, I’ve come across this saying floating around on-line: “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.” Now, I didn’t spend four years as an English major for it to be lost on me that stairs to success is only a metaphor for the immense effort one must put forth to accomplish great things. I’m sure that the person who came up with the concept that there is no elevator to success certainly didn’t intend to discriminate against millions of disabled people, but nevertheless, there is prejudice at the very crux of this supposedly inspirational quote. The saying is quite often used in the contexts of academic and career success. When the underlying message of the quote is broken down, it essentially points to the idea that only the fittest can reach the top and be successful. This is an ableist notion rooted so deeply in society’s conscience that displays of it nearly always go unnoticed.
Elevators are frequently equated with laziness, seen as a shortcut used by people who can’t be bothered to exert extra effort. However, for people who have certain disabilities, an elevator is not there for us to take the easy way out. While it is true that elevators are a convenience for truly nondisabled people, elevators are simply a means of access for disabled people. Elevators are necessary for people with a wide spectrum of disabilities, from visible mobility impairments to hidden disabilities such as chronic fatigue or arthritis. A lack of certain physical abilities needed to climb stairs does not translate to precluding disabled people from attaining success. That is to say, much of society still perceives disability as a hindrance to achieving things, as though disabled people are second-class citizens. And while my argument against the use of this saying points mainly to physical ableism, I believe I can extend my point to all disabilities. Having a disability need not be seen as a barrier to success and needing accommodations does not mean we are lazy. Society must move beyond these ableist ideas that have become such common assumptions by encouraging and celebrating the successes of people with all different abilities.
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Words I Wheel By 
August 12, 2013 at 9:49 pm
If you could write this metaphor in a non-ablest way, how would you write it?
August 12, 2013 at 11:54 pm
Ann, this is a truly fantastic question. I think the language would need to be transformed completely to move away from ableism. But perhaps, to add a bit of humor – there is an elevator to success. It’s temporarily out of order. Go find another one to reach the top!
August 13, 2013 at 12:19 pm
I’ve been giving this more thought, and I’m wondering…how would you write it?
August 13, 2013 at 8:21 pm
When my youngest daughter was in middle school, she didn’t really like the way I talked, so she often corrected me. I finally said to her, “Please don’t edit me. Let me speak my own words.”
Metaphors have power in part because people have a common understanding. We know what they mean, even if we can’t experience them ourselves. I can have a mountaintop experience without ever climbing a mountain (something which 95% of the world’s people will never do).
So the idea of this metaphor is that success doesn’t come easy. It requires hard work (or at least it should).
August 13, 2013 at 8:29 pm
You make an excellent point about metaphors! We can all share in understanding. Indeed climbing stairs can be hard work, and of course that connects to the hard work that leads to success. I suppose I tend to take language literally, even when the language in question is a metaphor, because there’s always unspoken thought processes behind words.
August 13, 2013 at 8:27 pm
I guess the question is, what have you done that required hard work…and is there any shortcut to it?
It is rumored that King Charlemagne had the idea that he could learn by the process of osmosis (sleeping with a book under his pillow), but is that any way to study for a test?
August 13, 2013 at 8:32 pm
So if I’m understanding correctly, perhaps the only way to alter the metaphor would be to talk about what approach should be taken to get somewhere, and what shortcuts can be used to reach that end? Quite an interesting thought!
August 13, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Unfair shortcuts. ..or ones that are too simple
August 13, 2013 at 9:57 pm
My husband and I have been trying to come up with silly substitutes, but so far, his suggestions are wide, wide of the mark…as for me, I’ve got nothing. Maybe I’ll come up with one in the morning.
A friend of mine suggested: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas A. Edison. So I guess that’s good.
August 13, 2013 at 10:28 pm
My boyfriend and I were thinking about this last night as well! It’s really challenging me. I’ve got something floating around in my head though: There is no flat pathway to success, you have to go up the steep ramp. I’d love to hear what pops into your head!
August 12, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Great writing Emily. Love it! Your hard work is by all means what the phrase says as “taking the stairs”.
People don’t get anything in life without hard work. You’ve proven that! Keep up the great work.
August 12, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Thank you so much Bridget! It’s hard work that keeps the disability community going strong.