The Human Costs of Trump's War on Government: A Devastating Impact on People with Disabilities
In a move that has left many in the disability community reeling, the Trump administration's war on government has resulted in a staggering increase in unemployment among people with disabilities. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities has increased at triple the normal rate since this new administration took office.
Josh Josa, a deaf employee who worked at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for over a decade, was one of the many victims of the Trump administration's cost-cutting measures. Josa, who helped ensure that USAID's work was inclusive to prospective and current workers with disabilities, was put on administrative leave in January 2020 and eventually laid off in April.
"It was like being in the dark for a few months," Josa said. "We kept getting different memos with different reduction-in-force dates. By the time I was laid off, it was expected, but I'm still unemployed."
Josa's experience is not an isolated incident. Since the Trump administration took office, thousands of federal employees with disabilities have been let go or forced to retire early. According to a report by Mother Jones, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities has increased at triple the normal rate, making it even harder for them to find jobs.
The impact of this trend is not limited to the United States. A recent study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that people with disabilities face significant barriers to employment globally, including lack of access to education and job training, as well as discriminatory hiring practices.
"This is a global issue," said Dr. Maria Noel Vaez, a leading expert on disability and employment at the ILO. "People with disabilities are often excluded from the labor market due to systemic barriers and biases. The Trump administration's actions have only exacerbated this problem."
The background of this trend can be traced back to the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the federal government and reduce its workforce. In 2019, the administration announced a plan to cut thousands of jobs at USAID, citing budget constraints.
Critics argue that the administration's cost-cutting measures have disproportionately affected people with disabilities, who often rely on their government jobs for financial stability and access to benefits.
"This is not just about numbers; it's about people's lives," said Allison Bailey, a disability rights advocate. "The Trump administration's actions are a betrayal of its promise to support people with disabilities."
As the situation continues to unfold, advocates are calling on the Biden administration to take immediate action to address the crisis and ensure that people with disabilities have access to fair employment opportunities.
"The new administration has an opportunity to reverse this trend and create a more inclusive and equitable workplace," said Josa. "We hope they will take it."
Additional Perspectives:
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability.
A report by the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund found that people with disabilities are three times more likely to experience poverty than those without disabilities.
Current Status and Next Developments:
The Biden administration has announced plans to review and revise the Trump-era policies affecting federal employees with disabilities. In the meantime, advocates continue to push for greater protections and support for people with disabilities in the workplace.
As one advocate noted, "This is not just a human rights issue; it's an economic imperative. People with disabilities have skills and talents that can benefit society as a whole."
*Reporting by Motherjones.*
