On January 22, Josh Josa, a deaf employee at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was cast aside—placed on administrative leave as part of an insidious agenda to dismantle the very foundations of government accountability and inclusivity. Josa’s role in the agency’s office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) was critical in ensuring that the $40 billion in global development aid was accessible to individuals with disabilities. This investment, however, is now threatened under the regime that seeks to roll back years of progress for marginalized communities.
His experience is not an isolated incident; it is emblematic of a broader systemic issue. As Josa accurately noted, “Since this new administration took office, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities has increased at triple the normal rate.” This is not merely a statistic; it signals a grave societal failure to uphold the rights and dignity of millions who have already faced barriers in the workforce.
In conversations with more than a dozen former federal employees with disabilities who suffered layoffs during the Trump administration, a poignant theme emerged: a sense of profound loss not only of employment but of a supportive and accommodating work environment. The anguish of being pushed out of an institution that embraced their differences is compounded by the uncertainty of finding a new workplace that values inclusivity as deeply. This October, designated as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, serves as a stark reminder of the stark reality faced by these individuals—formerly poised to celebrate their contributions to government service but now left to grapple with uncertainty.
Vanessa McMains, who developed disabilities due to chronic health issues, found solace in her position at the National Institutes of Health. She reported that the agency’s understanding culture allowed her to thrive despite her circumstances. “They were just like, ‘We want you to be your best, and if you don’t feel well enough to come in, don’t come in,’” she recalled. But this support system abruptly vanished when she was terminated in February, highlighting the precarious nature of employment for those with disabilities under the current administration.
Sara Fernandez, former acting deputy chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, experienced the duality of emotion upon receiving her layoff notice. The anger and shock were mingled with a sense of relief; she too had witnessed the rollback of vital protections for the very rights she had fought to uphold. The Federal Government, once a bastion of support for disabled individuals, is now a harbinger of despair.
The wave of layoffs is not merely an economic failure; it represents a colossal loss of potential. Disabled workers like Brianne Burger, who dedicated nearly twenty years to the federal government, are now confronting an uncertain job market. Burger’s experience overseeing programs for Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, and hard-of-hearing students exemplifies the significant contributions that disabled individuals bring to the workforce—accommodations such as government-issued tablets for captioning and ASL interpreters were not just favored practices; they were essential to the success of her work.
The sheer volume of talent and creativity that is being dismissed is a tragedy of epic proportions. Josa poignantly articulated, “People with disabilities also bring a unique way of looking at things… How do I do this differently?” This perspective is invaluable in creating a government that mirrors the diversity of the population it serves. With approximately 70 million American adults living with disabilities, the urgent need for a representative workforce has never been clearer.
The reality of losing skilled, creative individuals due to sheer intolerance and systemic neglect is disheartening. As Fernandez remarked, “It’s sad—the federal government was a leader for many years in hiring people with disabilities.” The current trajectory threatens to obliterate that legacy, pushing the disabled community back into the shadows while simultaneously hindering societal progress.
In an era where the fight for social justice, equality, and human rights is paramount, the plight of disabled federal workers serves as a stark reminder of the broader systemic issues at play. The government must hold itself accountable—not only to those who serve within its ranks but also to the millions it represents. It is a matter of moral integrity and societal responsibility to ensure that all voices are heard and included.
Let us not stand idly by while our institutions crumble under the weight of exclusion. We must demand a return to a government that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, understanding that true progress rests on the shoulders of all its constituents. The time for action is now; the rights and lives of millions depend on it.
This article highlights the importance of WORKERS UNDER ATTACK.
