“Living on the outskirts of things:” women and nonbinary people of color with cognitive disabilities describe their employment experiences

Abstract

Through the narratives of women of color and nonbinary people of color with cognitive disabilities, this paper describes experiences of U.S. workplace discrimination and strategies used to navigate employment. Informed by Dis/ability Critical Race Theory and guided by interpretive description, this study engaged 10 participants in semi-structured interviews about their experiences seeking and maintaining employment—including encounters with racism, sexism, homophobia, and ableism. On the whole, study respondents reported a strong desire to work, contribute, and belong to the communities in which they live. Despite daily occurrences of discrimination, microaggressions, and lack of support from external organizations, participants created strategies that allowed them to pursue their goals. Study findings have practical implications for employment services and supports, future research in disability and employment, and the field of social work.