ableism

[ ey-buh-liz-uhm ]

/ ˈeɪ bəˌlɪz əm /

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noun

discrimination against disabled people: laws to prevent ableism, racism, and sexism in the workplace.

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.

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SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

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Question 1 of 6

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shall

should

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Origin of ableism

First recorded in 1980–85; able + -ism

usage note for ableism

See able-bodied

OTHER WORDS FROM ableism

a·ble·ist, adjective, noun

Words nearby ableism

ablaze, able, able-bodied, able-bodied seaman, abled, ableism, ableist, ablepharia, ablepsia, able rating, able seaman

How to use ableism in a sentence

The ultimate indication that Jesus’ healings are not mere expressions of ableism comes through the stories of his own death and resurrection.
How Disability Changed What Easter Means to My Family|Amy Julia Becker|April 16, 2022|Time
Thompson, who says she’s seen both racism and ableism during the pandemic, said that lack of empathy can feel like it’s coming not just from other individuals, but from the government too.
As COVID-Era Restrictions End, Disabled Americans Want to Avoid a 'Return to Normal'|Abigail Abrams|April 15, 2022|TIme
Throughout American history, disabled women have lived with sexism and ableism.
Few books are timelier than ‘Woman’|Kathi Wolfe|March 25, 2022|Washington Blade
I can’t help but think that there’s some ableism in Yanagihara’s depiction of Charlie.
‘To Paradise’ is an unforgettable masterpiece|Kathi Wolfe|February 18, 2022|Washington Blade

In fact, the clause has been expanded to cover complaints around racism, ableism or anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
Soona raises $10.2M to make remote photo and video shoots easy|Anthony Ha|April 16, 2021|TechCrunch
Be aware of racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, cissexism, ableism, and other issues of privilege and oppression.
Warning: This Column Will Offend You|Michael Moynihan|April 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for ableism

ableism

/ (ˈeɪbəlˌɪzəm) /

noun

discrimination against disabled or handicapped people

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012