Navigating Professional Spaces

In my professional life, I often anticipate challenges and hurdles, but seldom do I expect the hurt prejudice causes - and acceptance of casual ableism in working culture. 


pencil sketch of a woman in a wheelchair working happily with others



I recall a particular incident, one that left an mark as it resonates with the struggles faced by many individuals navigating professional spaces. It was a day much like any other, as I found myself facilitating a session on Disability Equality for a large employer. Little did I know, I was about to be confronted with bias firsthand. As the discussion unfolded, the recruitment lead proclaimed, "We don’t employ disabled people because we need our staff to be exceptional." The words hung heavy in the air, laden with the assumption that disabled people’s work is rarely that good.


Summoning every ounce of courage, I dared to question their flawed logic. "Why assume that disabled workers are not exceptional?" I said. Unfortunately, this was met with anger and hostility. The response was swift and cutting, “How dare you?!” the words dripping with disdain, obviously rejecting my professional knowledge on such matters.  I was merely being awkward for challenging the status quo, the assumptions of their workplace. At that moment, prejudice and assumption were rejected in favour of beliefs left unchallenged!?


Two women facing each other 


The encounter lingered, casting doubt over my own confidence. The sting of their words echoed every time I encountered the word 'exceptional' in a job advertisement. The internalised feeling of worthlessness, triggering a wave of self-doubt and apprehension. Would my efforts to accentuate what I am good at be futile? Would my CV be destined to languish in the depths of a recruiter's trash folder if I identify as Disabled?


The pervasive societal messages only added insult to injury, perpetuating the myth that employment is a luxury reserved for the exceptional. Rarely is the reality of relentless job hunting acknowledged, nor the emotional toll it exerts on those marginalised in education and experience. Even my academic pursuits, culminating in a PhD, failed to shield me from the harsh realities of rejection in the professional sphere.


Yet amidst the sea of disillusionment, there were glimmers of hope! Working with professional communities occasionally gave me fleeting moments of fulfilment and purpose. However, even these experiences were tainted by the subtle nuances of prejudice, as my contributions are often criticised, undervalued and overlooked. 


This year, I resolve to say 'no' to the insidious belief that I am inherently 'rubbish', 'stupid', or 'broken'. I refuse to accept a narrative that diminishes my worth and undermines my contributions. In sharing this story, I hope to shed light on the pervasive nature of ableism and its detrimental impact on Disabled individuals in professional settings. It is imperative that we collectively strive for wider inclusive practice and more accessibility. Dismantling barriers and fostering a deeper culture of acceptance and respect for all. Only then can we truly embody the principles of equality and social justice in our professional undertakings.



CLICK HERE to pre-order Survival! A memoir - 📘 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Success after Grooming: A Staggering story

You know that phrase 'undeserving victims'? Rubbish, if you ask me. It's akin to saying some poor souls actually deserve the misfortune they're dealt. As if it's their fault for not overcoming life's hurdles or shrugging off the daily dose of hatred they endure. Here's a shocking revelation: trauma survivors are far more likely to face abuse from people they know than from strangers. Most of these incidents occur in places like residential schools or care homes. The environment and culture in these institutions often shield abusers from scrutiny. When people dismiss bullying as 'boys being boys' or 'rough-housing' instead of calling it what it is—violence—they're essentially giving brutality the green light. Do you know who bears the brunt of this? Those who don't fit in. They become walking targets whilst everyone else either turns a blind eye or remains silent.   In the 1980s, we had vague notions of racism, sexism, homophobia, and ...
Read more

An Authentic Narrative of Disability in ‘Survival’

Image
Survival: Finding success after experiencing trauma  “I recall I was placed in a small chair in front of a line of men in suits, each asking me questions. While the questions themselves weren’t exceptionally difficult, my fear of failure made me stutter. I felt small, helpless, and afraid of what might happen if I said something wrong.”   https://amzn.to/3AqNt3H In a world where mainstream storytelling often marginalises or misrepresents the experiences of disabled individuals, *Survival* emerges as a powerful voice of truth. This book, written by a disabled author who has lived through the struggles and the challenges of biases that have long skewed our understanding of disability. *Survival” is not just a story; it is a call to action—a demand for authenticity in the way we represent disabled lives. This book dismantles stereotypes and defies the misconceptions that have too often shaped our perspectives. It is a candid exploration of the strength, resilience, and humanity o...
Read more

Framing the narrative

Image
Whose focus is it anyway!? I'm always amazed at how many people want to tell my story their  way. For example, rephrasing my challenges as a right of passage, or my achievements as proof of privilege. Acknowledging privilege and disadvantage more explicitly does more than show respect, it avoids framing individuals as sinners or saints. Finding joy in the lives of those who face the weight of society’s misrepresentation is not the way to go!? I do not want to be framed as inspirational but equally hard-working. In reflecting on the power of language and the narratives that shape our understanding of disability, it's crucial to acknowledge the voices of those living with the experience, working in the area and knowledgeable about the subject. For example, I have had experiences as a woman, learned understanding as a feminist, and gained wisdom as a student of gender studies. Similarly, as a disabled person, a disability equality trainer and a student of Disability Studies, I f...
Read more