Federal job guarantee is key to challenging capitalist ableism

This research project addresses the economic policies, especially public employment programs, that affect people with disabilities. As the existing literature exposes the economic and employment disparities experienced by the disability community, it also considers additional policies might advance their ability to do meaningful work. What makes work meaningful, and access to employment opportunities so vital, spans from the individual fulfillment of people with disabilities, to the potential for positive systems change when the disability community holds the positions of power to make changes that will increase accessibility and decrease discrimination in all levels of society. Moreover, through this research, it has become clear that society loses so much when our economy fundamentally discriminates against and excludes people with disabilities. What are the additional remarkable contributions they could make if they were not systematically oppressed and marginalized? Paid work is an essential part of social integration in a capitalist society like the U.S., and people’s independence, identity, and self-esteem are linked directly to their careers.