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Paper Presentation

Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Session: Intersections of Disability, Race, and Economic Barriers to Wellbeing

Living on the Outskirts of Things: People of Color with Cognitive Disabilities and Employment

This presentation describes a significantly under-researched topic: employment experiences of women/nonbinary people of color with cognitive disabilities. Informed by Dis/ability Critical Race Theory and interpretive description, this study engaged 10 participants in semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal a desire to work, multiple barriers, but also survival strategies for navigating workplace exclusion.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
  1. 1) Better understand the multidimensional experiences of women of color and nonbinary people of color with cognitive disabilities when seeking employment.
  2. 2) Identify the barriers and facilitators to employment for individuals with cognitive disabilities—as described with nuance and complexity by participants themselves.
  3. 3) Learn strategies used by individuals with cognitive disabilities to navigate discrimination and will gain an increased appreciation for how to foster inclusive work environments.