By Catherine Bialkowski

 

Vilissa Thompson, a social worker who created the website Ramp Your Voice!, spoke with me through an email exchange about what it has been like for her to seek employment after graduation as a Black disabled woman, and the various obstacles she has had to work through.

 

1. What is the one word you would use to describe your journey in getting to where you are today?

 

Resilience. As someone who has, on the surface, many obstacles to overcome, I have conquered them all.  For me, being adamant about what I know is mine to have and to pursue it relentlessly has gotten me where I am today, and will continue to work for me as I get older.

 

2. In a broad sense, what obstacles have you had to face as a black disabled woman in modern America seeking employment?

 

The combination of racism, ableism, and sexism based on my identities as a Black disabled woman can be a challenge when seeking employment. If I’m being interviewed for a position that I know I am qualified for and did not get a second interview, then that leaves me wondering why.  If the interview went well and no follow-up, then I begin to wonder if any of the “-isms” were reasons.  Having a triple jeopardy status means that you can never tell which identity someone may discriminate against you for.  If I am interviewed by a white man, could my race and/or gender allow his prejudices to arise and prejudge me based on what he may believe Black people, women, or Black women can do in relation to the job?  If the interviewer is uncomfortable around visibly disabled people, could my wheelchair and short stature cause their ignorance to supercede their professionalism in viewing me as a viable candidate?  All of these thoughts enter my head when I am interviewed, and are real concerns in getting a fair chance when applying for positions.

 

3. You recently did a presentation about the #DisabilityTooWhite hashtag. How can change be made regarding the “over-whiteness” of the representation of disability, and how does this issue come into play with seeking employment as a disabled person?

 

When we discuss employment within our community, the stories, voices, and faces seen are typically those of white disabled people. What we fail to address is that disabled people of color experience unemployment and underemployment at higher rates than disabled whites.  We cannot effectively tackle our employment challenges if our actions are not intersectional; being of color and disabled presents a set of challenges when job seeking that must be recognized and proaction developed.  Due to the over-whiteness in our community, we are ill-prepared to have the necessary conversations about this matter, and the livelihoods and employability of disabled people of color pay gravely for that.

 

4. What advice do you have for young disabled people on the brink of graduation and who want to become employed in the near future?

 

Take your time in figuring out what makes your “heart sing,” as far as a career. Doing what you love is so important; there is nothing worse than going to a job that is unfulfilling.  Do know that figuring out what your passions are will not occur overnight; you may have to try on different career “hats” to find the right one that fits perfectly.  Also, do not compare your career path to your friends – their path is not your path.  Everyone grows at the pace that is right for them, and if your pace happens a bit sooner or later than those around you, then that is completely fine.

 

5. What improvements do you think need to be made in America that will help disabled people have more opportunities to become employed if they wish to do so?

 

Allowing more virtual/telework opportunities would allow disabled persons who may not be able to work in a traditional workplace setting to be able to gain employment. Some barriers to working in an office/agency could be transportation, healthcare needs based on their disability, social anxiety when working around a lot of people, and other reasons that may prevent disabled job candidates from seeking positions.  Being able to work from home is also a freeing ability; it is one of the many things I enjoy about my current full-time position.

 

6. What changes do you think need to be made to allow a more inclusive and opportunistic society for people of all abilities?

 

Changing the way we view and discuss disability by shifting our thoughts, actions, and words from the medical model (which focuses solely on the disability) to the social model (which involves viewing disabled people holistically and understanding the barriers disabled people endure to be included in society and working to end ableism and discrimination). I strongly believe that when this shift occurs, it will yield more empowering opportunities for disabled people in a world that still treats them as second-class citizens and does not value their lives and experiences.

 

7. When you were in your late teens and early twenties, did you know what you wanted to do in life? Did you see yourself doing what you’re doing now? If not, what did you think you would be doing?

 

When I was younger, I knew I wanted to help people and thought that path would be me becoming a therapist (that is why I majored in psychology and obtained a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree). At 31, I am fulfilling that charge in helping people, but doing it in a very dynamic way that makes my heart sing.  I use my education to influence how helping professionals engage with disabled people, and change the outdated concepts we are taught in our programs regarding the disabled community.  I plan to pursue a law degree and a doctorate in sociology to continue my work as a disability rights advocate – I want to change policies that are stymieing our abilities to thrive and survive without limits and to do research and write about our experiences in the way they should be written.  At this age, I know what I am suppose to do, and I am going about reaching those goals and milestones at the pace that is right for me – not for anyone else.