Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities, especially physical disabilities.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun discrimination in favor of the able-bodied

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From able +‎ -ism, patterned on racism, sexism, and heterosexism in meaning.

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Examples

  • One way that many people with disabilities combat ableism is through Disability Pride.

    Blog against disablism on May 1 BA Haller 2008

  • Disablism, also known as ableism, is "the discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities, especially physical disabilities."

    Blog against disablism on May 1 BA Haller 2008

  • Disablism is the British equivalent of the American term ableism used to describe discrimination against people with disabilities in favour of people who are not disabled.

    Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt » 2007 » May 2007

  • However, using that word is an example of ableism, which is another socialized idea that makes those who are not of able body seem lesser than those who are.

    Philocrites: So much for 'Con Con: The Movie.' 2005

  • Some FWD are decrying the "ableism" theme of the story line while at the same time demanding recognition of "disablism".

    hazel8500 Hazel 2010

  • Some FWD are decrying the "ableism" theme of the story line while at the same time demanding recognition of "disablism".

    hazel8500 Hazel 2010

  • If so, why don't we see more stories about issues such as ableism / disability, classism, ageism, sexism, racism, ... because you don't care enough to pursue stories about diversity, unless of course, it involves President Obama making a perceived mistake.

    unknown title 2009

  • If so, why don't we see more stories about issues such as ableism / disability, classism, ageism, sexism, racism, ... because you don't care enough to pursue stories about diversity, unless of course, it involves President Obama making a perceived mistake.

    unknown title 2009

  • First I should point out that the remark is essentially "ableism" and its no different from the casual racism that opines that so and so just got her or his job because of affirmative action.

    Planet of the Blind 2009

  • If so, why don't we see more stories about issues such as ableism / disability, classism, ageism, sexism, racism, ... because you don't care enough to pursue stories about diversity, unless of course, it involves President Obama making a perceived mistake.

    unknown title 2009

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