When people with disabilities speak out about discrimination, it’s not to make others uncomfortable—it’s to shine a light on injustices that are frequently overlooked or ignored. The discomfort you feel hearing about these issues is a fraction of what we experience living with them.
Speaking up matters because of:
• Awareness: Talking about discrimination helps others see the barriers we face. We can’t be surprised when nothing changes if we don’t speak up. Yes. it sucks that the people being discriminated against are the ones who have to bear the burden of solving the problem. But, that’s the environment we currently live in.
• Change: You can’t begin fixing a problem until the stakeholders acknowledge there is one.
• Empowerment: Sharing experiences empowers others to stand up for their rights.
Imagine:
• Feeling excluded because your workplace isn’t accessible.
• Being judged or retaliated against or belittled for asking for reasonable accommodations.
• Experiencing bias in hiring or promotions due to a disability.
Asks
• If you feel uncomfortable hearing about discrimination, use that discomfort as a catalyst for change.
• Listen, learn, and be an ally in creating inclusive environments.
• Remember, addressing discrimination benefits everyone, leading to more equitable and just workplaces and communities.
When a disabled person raises an issue about accessibility, we aren’t blaming people. It’s about getting others to understand the issue and seeing solutions in action. Let’s work together to turn discomfort into progress.
Alt:
paragraph one: You said I made you feel uncomfortable because I complained about disability discrimination?
Paragraph two: Imagine my discomfort in experiencing the discrimination in the first place.