On Jan. 31, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a controversial executive order that directs state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This follows the passing of Senate Bill 17 in 2023, which eliminated DEI programs in public higher education institutions.
DEI, in simple terms, refers to initiatives aimed to promote diversity, ensuring fair treatment for all, and creating inclusive environments where everyone, regardless of background, has equal access and opportunity. This decision has sparked a debate about whether it will protect or harm marginalized groups, especially those with disabilities.
For me, the signing of this law hits close to home, as I recently witnessed firsthand the kind of discrimination that DEI efforts are meant to prevent.
My stepbrother, who is autistic, faced a situation that many might dismiss as a rare occurrence but is, unfortunately, far too common for people with disabilities. He had always dreamed of working at a local restaurant – one he felt was better than Mom’s cooking – and when he heard they were hiring, he was excited. My mom asked the waitress if they were hiring to which the waitress replied, “Yes.” My mom asked for an application and when the waitress brought it over my mom mentioned his autism. The response was not what she was expecting.
“We don’t hire people like him here,” the waitress told my mother in front of my brother.
This blatant act of discrimination shocked the f- out of me when my mom told me what happened – but it sparked something in me as well. I couldn’t let such an injustice slide. Had I been there … my Corpus would have been all over that waitress and the whole establishment! I immediately called the restaurant, requesting to speak to that same waitress, her supervisor, and their boss – escalating the matter all the way to the CEO! When I couldn’t get a timely response, I posted a review on their site and on Google maps app calling out everyone, including all working channels, to get attention for this illegal discrimination even to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and within hours the manager himself called my mother, personally to apologize.
They explained that denying someone a job based on their disability is against the law. They understood that my stepbrother had the right to work like anyone else, and they offered him the position. It was a victory, but one that also highlighted a deeper issue: While laws like the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) are meant to protect people with disabilities, there are still plenty of places where discrimination slips through the cracks. For people with disabilities trying to maintain a working lifestyle for themselves … there is no one to advocate for them if they’re by themselves.
Now, with these new pushes to remove DEI initiatives, I fear someone like my stepbrother’s job may be at risk. If his employer decides that diversity and inclusion efforts are no longer a priority, there may be little to protect him from being let go, simply because of his disability. The same protections that helped him secure his position could become less effective without the push for inclusion and equity that DEI programs often provide.
These changes raise important questions about how we protect people, like my stepbrother, who simply want to contribute to society, find a job, and live their lives without facing discrimination. When businesses are allowed to bypass DEI programs, it sends a dangerous message that inclusion and fairness are optional rather than fundamental rights. For many people with disabilities, the fight for equal treatment is far from over.
While I’m grateful that my stepbrother was able to secure his job, thanks to his stubborn, educated sister, the thought that he could lose it without repercussions based on his disability is unsettling. As Texas moves forward with these initiatives, it’s crucial to remember that policies that dismantle DEI efforts don’t just affect those from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, they also leave people with disabilities vulnerable to discrimination in ways they, and we, can’t afford to ignore.
If we truly want a society that values fairness, it’s important to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, has the same opportunity to succeed.
