Disablism

Discriminatory, oppressive, or abusive behaviour directed at people because of their disability, encompassing both individual acts of prejudice and systemic societal barriers. Coined by the Union of Physically Impaired Against Segregation in 1975, the term draws a parallel with racism and sexism, distinguishing the social experience of discrimination (disablism) from the physical or sensory condition itself (impairment). The social model of disability uses this distinction to argue that disability is constructed by society through disablism rather than being an inherent consequence of impairment. Understanding disablism is important for accessibility practitioners because it highlights how barriers are created and maintained by social structures, policies, and attitudes rather than by individuals' conditions.