Author
The Administration’s attacks on basic civil rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts defy precedent and leave dedicated disabled civil servants in the crosshairs
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 2025 – The National Disabled Legal Professionals Association (“NDLPA”) unequivocally condemns the Trump administration’s attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts—policies that help to counteract systemic discrimination and oppression. These baseless attacks will harm members of the disability community, including legal professionals, who have dedicated their lives to civil service.
The administration’s unsubstantiated and damaging allegations that disabled employees might have had any role in the tragic crash near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on January 29, 2025 is part of a greater strategy that exploits dangerous stereotypes about disabled workers to create division and instill fear. These misleading narratives are even more harmful for multiply marginalized disabled workers. Civil rights laws such as the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) only protect disabled workers who are “otherwise qualified” and meet all essential functions for a role; that includes the stringent physical requirements for those with jobs in air traffic control.
“Disabled people who work in any given role, including in the legal profession, are not hired to fill a quota: we are hired because we are the best person for the job and bring our valuable insights and perspectives to the table,” said NDLPA Executive Director Marissa Ditkowsky. “We will not tolerate disabled people being used as a scapegoat to distract the nation from the real threats to our safety, economy, and future.”
NDLPA additionally condemns the administration’s unlawful attacks against the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The termination of Commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuel undermines the critical work of independent agencies tasked with safeguarding our basic human rights, including the enforcement of laws that are essential to combating discrimination against disabled workers. We further condemn the termination of Karla Gilbride, the EEOC’s first openly blind General Counsel. In 2024, Gilbride helped to bring the highest percentage of disability discrimination claims by the EEOC within the last five years. We thank Karla Gilbride and Commissioners Burrows and Samuels for their service and dedication to protecting the rights of disabled workers, including disabled legal professionals.
About the National Disabled Legal Professionals Association
The National Disabled Legal Professionals Association (NDLPA) is a national association of disabled lawyers, judges, policy experts, legislators, academics, and other legal workers, professionals, and organizers. NDPLA was founded in 2022 to organize and unify disabled legal professionals into a force for change, and to advocate for and empower disabled legal professionals. NDLPA strives to promote professional growth and opportunity for disabled attorneys and legal professionals; improve access and inclusion in the profession; and ensure access to justice for all.
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Contact Information:
Info@ndlpa.org
(202) 599-0828
Release Date:
January 30, 2025