Navigating the workforce as a disabled person in an often inaccessible world

Life as a disabled person in an inaccessible world can be difficult, especially in the workforce. ABC News follows two disability advocates working for change and navigating life in Chicago.
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[@Gabster1990]

There are so many smart and capable disabled people out there but they don't even get a chance that us able bodied people take for granted

[@cheryldekoevend6626]

Why is there not affirmative action for the disabled? If employers, landlords, and social security administration had to walk in our shoes and understand the barriers we have to overcome for 1 day, then maybe they would understand and try to see it from our perspective.

[@asecretcourtofcrowsandcloc4084]

That would definitely be nice

[@mauraleonard9175]

It would be nice if they could understand what we deal with on a daily basis

[@cochiefemeralds3616]

And no job wants to accommodate you which is the sad part and they’re trying to make me walk around a lot which I cannot do because of dysautonomia and EDS. I was trying to not rely on the system anymore

[@nikkids4266]

As a mom of a legally blind young adult (they can see, but it is very limited). It’s frustrating, as they are more than capable but are judged based on outdated assumptions of what disability looks like. If you’re wondering, is this discrimination. Yes, it’s systemic. It’s in how we’ve subtly and not so subtly created our laws and overall infrastructure. Take for example, transportation. It’s abysmal the way we have very little public transportation. Or think of simply, something like the work from home battle. WFH would expand the opportunities for those with disabilities. As they also mention the SSDI trap. You really are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. But consider this, if people in the US vote Republican. It’s only going to get worse. You hear these buzz calls round DEI policies (bigots gotta bigot). But do you even recognize that such policies reduce discrimination in education and the work place for disabled individuals? No? What about Republicans wanting to cut social program funding (to quote - reduce excess spending) that greatly affect not just POC but the DISABLED (vets make up a large aspect of this too). We often turn a blind eye to this cuz we think it doesn’t affect us. But it does. When we don’t support our vulnerable. It’s actually more costly for us as a whole. Hopefully seeing this, people start to think about the long term effects of how we are voting and how we are building our social structures.

[@asecretcourtofcrowsandcloc4084]

I’m legally blind and can definitely relate to this both transportation barriers, inaccessible structures, and systemic change needed.

[@judystoltz594]

Why is an ABLE account not addressed? Which allows a higher limit of assets? But also why has the $2000 limit not been adjusted in Forever?

[@Loveroffood41]

They don't talk about it? It's so important that people know about that resource. I am very grateful for that account.

[@asecretcourtofcrowsandcloc4084]

I knew right, that $2000 limit is so outdated and really needs to be removed

[@bookwormwonder]

It's so hard finding GOOD caregivers as well.

[@CookieBear187]

Everything in America has been developed with able-bodied and neurotypical people in mind, so it’s impossible to make progress in your life as a disabled person. Even higher education is inaccessible to many. I speak from experience, as I almost flunked out due to my college’s disability resource center not being properly equipped to accommodate students with neurological disabilities, such as those with learning disabilities. “Extra test time” is not enough. There is no one size fits all for disability accommodations and we as a society need to do better to acknowledge that we have a problem and it must be fixed!

[@Buy_YT_Views.880]

MAJOR GOOSEBUMPS, AMAZING. THANK YOU!

[@birdie4223]

More doors need to definitely open for the disabled. They’re trying their best and there should not be a cap on their disability. That is ridiculous.

[@SelenaArroyo-gh9de]

God bless you Alexis! I live in the area you were navigating and it saddens me to see your daily struggles. May God bless you! ❤

[@rileyk2026]

We should have the right to like everybody else even if we have a disability we should have the rate to make her own money and live. We should have the right to free speech and accommodations for disability.❤❤😊

[@laurenbendik2006]

I was born with spina bifida and have multiple degrees, including a master’s degree. Fortunately the types of jobs I have had are not very physically demanding, but sometimes the barriers arent as clear. Like I need to have good health insurance to get what I need (and still sometimes dont-welcome to the US healthcare system where buying a PPO isnt always enough), so I once took a job i was overqualified for just bc it provided health insurance. Wasted 3 yrs there. Although I was a job coach for other adults with disabilities, the developmental/intellectual type, and it showed me how difficult it was for them to get a job and then to maintain it. I commend this woman bc I know that even going into interviews can be hard if the employer sees u have a disability.

[@laurenbendik2006]

I agree that we are great problem solvers bc we have to think about barriers every single day. We are always thinking of backup plans, the ‘what ifs’, and planning ahead.

[@blazingphoenix1000]

What a beautiful women ❤️

[@Lovely-DeeM]

God bless this disabled woman, who wakes up everyday and tries to be useful despite her limitations. I just wonder why she doesn't live with her parents? I agree that laws need to be put in place to protect the disabled, and make it more accessible for them in the job market.

[@laurenbendik2006]

Maybe she doesnt want to live with parents at 29….she has the ability to want independence just like anyone else. Getting carers is still more independent than relying on ur parents. U also dont know if her parents are capable of helping her with all these things, especially the physically demanding part like putting her in her chair.

[@Sad_bumper_sticker.]

💪🏼🔥🔥 I wish I lived in a commune with other disabled people we’d help each other if we needed or wanted and could share similar experiences, swap spoons

[@Allinmyworld]

One thing about United States of America is that while we are perfect when it comes to disabilities we are trying to make strive to become better. When you go to other countries even first world countries like Japan they are not disability friendly. Most buildings in Japan don't have access for wheelchairs. I love seeing more people like this in government, in media, in positions of power so they can advocate and open our eyes to what's out there

[@yasmeen8097]

We are not perfect when it comes to disabilities, did you even watch the video? The system is broken. Do not compare the US to Japan. Two completely different countries in many ways.

[@katherineknapp4370]

❤

[@johnalver]

I always wondered what disabled people did when they are not on tv. Because the only time I see disabled people is on TV

[@laurenbendik2006]

Huh? Maybe u need to get out more.

[@lindseywong9667]

Disabilities aren't always visible. One in four people have a disability of some form. You probably know people with disabilities but you don't know they are disabled.

[@cheryldekoevend6626]

What is an Able Account?

[@Loveroffood41]

It's a bank account that is for the disabled that can be used for housing, transportation, and other things that may come as time goes on. The best thing is you can't be penalized for having more than $2,000. The reason why it's not talked about is because it's not very well known, and Congress wants to keep us poor.

[@cochiefemeralds3616]

It’s like an emergency fund type of thing where you can put SSI and SSDI inside without being penalized

[@brittanydaniels1102]

@cheryldekoevend6626 An Able Account is for people with disabilities gotten before 26 years old and usually has SSI and/or SSDi. I was able to get an Able Account (called Stable Georgia here in Georgia) by getting a doctor's note stating that I was diagnosed with a disability before I turned 26 years old. The Able Account is hosted on websites that the states that passed a law letting people with disabilities have an Able account where the disabled person can add their own money to. For example here in Georgia, I had to get a prepaid Visa card to be able to use the money in my Stable Georgia account even though I can transfer the money to my checking account as well.

[@carlsheperd2471]

Ridiculous.

[@normahughes7235]

❤