2008 Woodie Awards
Equality for the disabled
By Carol A. Dwyer
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Op-Ed
We all know that various demographics throughout human history have been treated in an unfair manner in some way or another. Whether it is over race, religious beliefs, nationality, gender or age, someone has been the brunt of inequalities and/or discrimination. Some recent personal moments became a cause for further concern about the treatment of another demographic-those who are disabled to any degree.
Whether this writer looks older to other students is not known. But the truth is that a 10 year age gap exists there. So there is at least that much more real world experience, and the most recent instance of this ended in May of 2004 on shaky ground.
The writer's employer had decided that a lower back problem was cause enough to terminate an employee from a position which had no physical demands. This decision came about despite check-ups and signed permission by a family doctor allowing a return to the job. The employer's exact job-ending words were, "You are too unhealthy to work," even though no doctor had ever said so.
So here it was, the first time ever experiencing how the corporate world can be towards a person with one health issue or another.
To make a long story short regarding that matter, not much ever came of it despite spending a great deal of time communicating with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). A right-to-sue letter was issued, followed by 90 days to secure a lawyer specializing in discrimination and wrongful termination cases. Finding a local lawyer with a contingency fee basis took too much of the 90 days for the case to go to court.
Another mounting concern was whether or not to tie up any more time once enrolled at West Chester University as a full-time student. Therefore, the whole case came to an end officially for reasons of finances and education by last month.
In that same month, something unexpected happened that only added to the feeling that those who are disabled are not always considered.
Whether this writer looks older to other students is not known. But the truth is that a 10 year age gap exists there. So there is at least that much more real world experience, and the most recent instance of this ended in May of 2004 on shaky ground.
The writer's employer had decided that a lower back problem was cause enough to terminate an employee from a position which had no physical demands. This decision came about despite check-ups and signed permission by a family doctor allowing a return to the job. The employer's exact job-ending words were, "You are too unhealthy to work," even though no doctor had ever said so.
So here it was, the first time ever experiencing how the corporate world can be towards a person with one health issue or another.
To make a long story short regarding that matter, not much ever came of it despite spending a great deal of time communicating with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). A right-to-sue letter was issued, followed by 90 days to secure a lawyer specializing in discrimination and wrongful termination cases. Finding a local lawyer with a contingency fee basis took too much of the 90 days for the case to go to court.
Another mounting concern was whether or not to tie up any more time once enrolled at West Chester University as a full-time student. Therefore, the whole case came to an end officially for reasons of finances and education by last month.
In that same month, something unexpected happened that only added to the feeling that those who are disabled are not always considered.
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Carol Dwyer
posted 4/07/08 @ 5:49 PM EST
Just wanted to submit a correction. The year of the job termination was 2005. It was my mistake, just hit the wrong key when typing up the article.
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