As a writer who typically gravitates toward political discourse and broader societal debates, I've long hesitated to delve into topics that hit too close to home. Yet, here I am, confronting an issue that's deeply personal: the systemic challenges faced by people with disabilities in building meaningful careers. I live with cerebral palsy, which affects my motor skills, vision, hearing, and energy levels—tasks requiring fine coordination leave me fatigued, and while my speech has improved over the years, it's still a hurdle. I've even caught myself being brusque with others, a defense mechanism forged from decades of downplaying my intellect to blend in. But this isn't just my story; it's a national crisis demanding attention.
New audit study shows that disability-based discrimination in the labor market is massive
— John B. Holbein (@JohnHolbein1) June 14, 2023
"We find that non-disabled applicants receive 33% more callbacks than similarly qualified wheelchair users despite applying for jobs where the impairment should not interfere w performance" pic.twitter.com/HDMk6KJCF8
Consider the stark reality illuminated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 data: A staggering 75 percent of individuals with disabilities are not participating in the labor force, compared to just 32 percent of those without disabilities. This isn't mere coincidence—it's a reflection of entrenched biases and structural failures that sideline talented people based on outdated perceptions of capability.
Attitudinal discrimination and disability accommodation discrimination go hand in hand.
— Sarah Colero (@Sarah_Colero) August 25, 2025
Its how they manipulate disabled people to have no other choice but to leave.
That's their goal: no disabled people.
What's particularly striking is how some individuals with disabilities have shattered these barriers to ascend to positions of influence. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), who uses a wheelchair following a paralyzing accident, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D), a double amputee and Iraq War veteran, exemplify resilience in the face of adversity. Their successes underscore a painful truth: For every trailblazer like them, countless others like me are relegated to the margins, denied opportunities not for lack of skill, but due to ableist assumptions. Worse still, some corporations exploit this vulnerability, facing minimal repercussions until lawsuits force accountability.
Take Walmart, the retail giant often hailed as a family-friendly employer, which has repeatedly settled discrimination claims involving employees with disabilities. These cases reveal a troubling pattern:
- In Arizona, a cashier with epilepsy was fired after her seizures led to absences. Initially accommodated under the company's policy, she was later denied excused leave while her formal request was pending, resulting in a $100,000 settlement.
- In North Carolina, three separate lawsuits alleged failures to provide reasonable accommodations, such as intermittent leave, culminating in a $175,000 payout.
- A South Carolina worker with a prosthetic leg was permitted to use an electric cart for seven months before a new HR directive revoked it, claiming the carts were for customers only. This led to unpaid leave and a $70,000 settlement, plus rehiring.
- In Maine, an $80,000 agreement prompted a nationwide policy change after Walmart refused to reassign a long-term employee with a disability to a vacant role at another store.
These incidents highlight rigid attendance policies, inadequate accommodations, and even "100% healed" return-to-work requirements that disproportionately harm disabled workers. While settlements provide some justice, they expose a broader culture where exploitation persists until legally challenged.
"But employers can't discriminate based on disability".
— Adam Fare 🖤🤍💜 (@adamfare1996) June 15, 2025
In theory, no.
In reality, they do it all the time.
They just do it in ways where it isn't legally enforcible, or they rely on the fact disabled people are too unwell and exhausted to actually take action.
My own experiences echo this frustration. I've witnessed able-bodied individuals receive disability benefits for conditions like anxiety—once, I knew someone compensated for behaviors that seemed more performative than debilitating—while my legitimate claims were dismissed as "not disabled enough." Despite proven skills in customer service, including cash register operation and strong interpersonal abilities, job applications often funnel me into low-visibility roles like maintenance. The rationale? Maintaining a "polished" storefront aesthetic, even as less diligent colleagues slack off, chat endlessly, or mishandle equipment—I've seen coworkers crash sweepers into people or hide in bathrooms, leaving me to handle a 150,000-square-foot store alone. Requests for support? Met with silence, forcing a "grin and bear it" mentality.
Great share!
— Sam Yovan (@SamYovan) August 25, 2025
Bullying, harassment & discrimination of #Disabled people in the workplace is rampant. The stats are shocking—but for many of us, it’s lived reality. I know it. I’ve lived it.
Enough is enough.#DisabilityRights #StandUpToDiscrimination #Employment #Disability https://t.co/0jKoj3EQtM
ESSEX FILES: A Huge Lesson in Compassion for Meijer
For decades, people with disabilities have endured this cycle of exclusion in hiring and retention, all under the guise of preferring a "non-disabled" image. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was intended to dismantle these barriers, yet the statistics speak volumes: 75 percent unemployment among the disabled population proves its limitations in practice.
What America truly needs is a cultural reckoning, a "Get Over Yourself" Act, if you will. Individuals with disabilities are often among the most dedicated and innovative workers, bringing unique perspectives that foster genuine diversity. By embracing inclusion, workplaces don't just comply with laws; they unlock untapped potential, building stronger, more equitable teams. It's time to move beyond token gestures and recognize that true progress lies in elevating those who've been overlooked for far too long.
