Disability Oppression in the Contemporary U. S. Capitalist Workplace

Recent analyses of disability oppression have focused on the historical exclusion of people with disabilities from employment in capitalist societies. There is, however, little systematic research on recent efforts, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to break down barriers to employment for people with disabilities. In-depth personal interviews with employees with disabilities in large, public-sector organizations reveals the varieties of alienation and harassment experienced by employees with disabilities in the implementation phase of the ADA. Truly overcoming disability oppression in the contemporary capitalist workplace would require a continuing, militant and national movement. Demands for equality and accommodation for employees with disabilities deserve an important role in any struggle for humane and democratically controlled workplaces.