ableism

[ ey-buh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. discrimination against disabled people:

   laws to prevent ableism, racism, and sexism in the workplace.

2. the tendency to regard people with a disability as incomplete, diminished, or damaged, and to measure the quality of life with a disability against a nondisabled standard:

   Ableism reinforces the idea that disability is a personal tragedy.

ableism

/ ˈeɪbəlˌɪzəm /

noun

1. discrimination against disabled or handicapped people

Sensitive Note

See able-bodied

Other Words From

• able·ist adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ableism¹

First recorded in 1980–85; able ( def ) + -ism ( def )

Example Sentences

Be aware of racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, cissexism, ableism, and other issues of privilege and oppression.

From The Daily Beast