Legal Definitions - ableism

Definition: Ableism is a form of discrimination against people with disabilities. It is when people are treated unfairly or not given the same opportunities as able-bodied people. This can happen in many different ways, such as not providing accommodations for people with disabilities or assuming that they are not capable of doing certain things.

Example 1: A job interviewer doesn't hire a qualified candidate because they use a wheelchair, assuming they won't be able to perform the job duties.

Example 2: A school doesn't provide sign language interpreters for a deaf student, making it difficult for them to participate in class.

These examples illustrate ableism because in both cases, the person with a disability is not given the same opportunities as someone without a disability. They are being discriminated against because of their disability, which is not fair or just.