abled

[ey-buhld]

adjective

1. noting or relating to a person unaffected by physical, mental, or cognitive impairment; nondisabled.

   I don’t think abled folks realize how inaccessible basic infrastructure is.

2. Rare.,  noting or relating to a disabled person who uses assistive technology or accommodations that make education, jobs, or other activities accessible to them.

   Teachers and institutions need to understand that if tools are provided to children with disabilities, they will become abled individuals in society.

abled

/ ˈeɪbəld /

adjective

1. having a range of physical powers as specified (esp in the phrases less abled, differently abled )

Word History and Origins

Origin of abled¹

First recorded in 1945–50; back formation from disabled ( def. )

Example Sentences

“It’s absolutely a way to attack people of color, people who are differently abled, people who don’t agree with what this administration is.”

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They are of use to the predominantly able-bodied audience, not only teaching someone how to interact with a disabled person but, through the act of watching them, the abled audience sees how they can feel better about themselves through them.

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Because reality shows like this don’t explore the nuances of disability, abled audiences are unaware of how a person’s healthcare is tied into their ability to qualify for programs like SSI and SSDI.

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When adjunct professor Zelu, who is paraplegic, hits rock bottom personally and professionally, she unexpectedly writes a mega-bestselling work of Afro-futurism that also addresses the differently abled.

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Audiences are programmed to see abled actors as wheelchair users far more than actual disabled people.

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