Jack (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jackandahat) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
accessibility_fail2010-02-04 05:44 pm
jackandahat) wrote in accessibility_fail2010-02-04 05:44 pm
When the people who claim to help are the problem.
Right now I'm looking for work, and I've just been sent to an agency - Remploy - who deal with getting disabled people into work. I'm hard of hearing and I have arthritis so I walk with a cane.
I was sat with "my" advisor, Jonathan, getting lectured on how I would be wonderful in this job and I had to think positive thoughts. He yet again pulled the "All you need is adaptive technology" speech - I've discussed with them several times that adapted phones just don't work for me - I've never met one that does, and frankly, it's too much of a bloody struggle.. I was sat down, my cane was propped against my backpack.
The other advisor - I don't know his name, call him Stupid Fuck - picked up my cane and put it behind his back, and started giving a speech about how now no-one would know I was disabled, and I had to think of it like that.
The only thing that kept me from getting up and punching him was knowing I'd lose my benefits if I did. Oh yeah, and the fact he had my cane.
Did I mention this is an agency designed specifically to deal with getting disabled people into work?
So there was absolutely nothing I could do. If I did anything, they'd have stopped my dole money and I wouldn't have been able to afford to, you know, pay rent and eat. I told Jonathan that being told "You don't look disabled" is not helpful, but I was too much in shock to work out what to say about the cane thing - when I go in tomorrow I Will be having words with Stupid Fuck, I just didn't know what to do and he was standing over me.
Anyone else faced this kind of thing? Any ideas what to do/say to him? (I know the obvious is "Put in a complaint", but if that's how the staff act, I suspect they'd laugh in my face.)
I was sat with "my" advisor, Jonathan, getting lectured on how I would be wonderful in this job and I had to think positive thoughts. He yet again pulled the "All you need is adaptive technology" speech - I've discussed with them several times that adapted phones just don't work for me - I've never met one that does, and frankly, it's too much of a bloody struggle.. I was sat down, my cane was propped against my backpack.
The other advisor - I don't know his name, call him Stupid Fuck - picked up my cane and put it behind his back, and started giving a speech about how now no-one would know I was disabled, and I had to think of it like that.
The only thing that kept me from getting up and punching him was knowing I'd lose my benefits if I did. Oh yeah, and the fact he had my cane.
Did I mention this is an agency designed specifically to deal with getting disabled people into work?
So there was absolutely nothing I could do. If I did anything, they'd have stopped my dole money and I wouldn't have been able to afford to, you know, pay rent and eat. I told Jonathan that being told "You don't look disabled" is not helpful, but I was too much in shock to work out what to say about the cane thing - when I go in tomorrow I Will be having words with Stupid Fuck, I just didn't know what to do and he was standing over me.
Anyone else faced this kind of thing? Any ideas what to do/say to him? (I know the obvious is "Put in a complaint", but if that's how the staff act, I suspect they'd laugh in my face.)
no subject
I can totally understand the initial I can't complain cause they control my dole! reaction, which is why all of us are so damn pissed. It's because they have so much power over you that this abuse is so wrong!
In the U.S. I would definitely recommend a written complaint over something in person. The written complaint creates a "paper trail," evidence of what happened and how you responded. This discussion can also serve as a record. In the unlucky case that you have to deal with this shitheel again, it would be great to make notes of every interaction.
One other thought is it's always easier to face this kind of discrimination in a group. Is there a DAN chapter or arthritis society or mates from the pub or whatever who you could connect with, see if they'd be willing to stand together with you to make a fuss if complaining to the supervisor doesn't help?
no subject
I don't have any kind of group, no - these are the people who are meant to be helping. Fingers crossed going to a supervisor works.