Ableism

Ableism (from ‘to be able’) is a form of discrimination. It refers to the implicit or explicit reduction of persons to their physical or mental disability. It is based on the assumption of a social norm that defines what a ‘healthy’ person is generally able to do. For the everyday life of persons with disabilities, this often means a lack of consideration, unequal treatment and being confronted with stereotypes. Ableism leads to persons with disabilities being less visible within society and to their exclusion from public space (e.g. due to a lack of standardised accessibility).

Definition adapted from IKUD.