Which term describes ideas, practices, institutions, and social relations that presume able-bodiedness and marginalize people with disabilities?

• A. Ableism
• B. Access discrimination
• C. Adverse impact
• D. Ageism

Answer: (A)

Ableism describes beliefs, practices, and institutions that treat being able-bodied as the norm and marginalize people with disabilities. This bias shows up in design, policies, language, and social expectations that assume everyone can perform tasks and navigate spaces without accommodations, making participation harder for disabled people. It’s a systemic, cultural pattern that privileges non-disabled bodies and often hides its impact in everyday structures. The other terms refer to different forms of bias: ageism targets people because of age, adverse impact concerns outcomes that disproportionately affect a group, and access discrimination describes barriers to accessing opportunities or services for protected groups.