Underpaid - if paid at all

Worth?! An Ongoing Bugbear

 

I've got something I need to get off my chest today. It's an issue that's been bugging me for quite some time now – the unfair judgment of someone's worth based on their disability. Let me paint you a little picture.

 

Imagine this scenario: you've just returned from a lovely holiday, bags unpacked, and you go to toss that first load of laundry in the wash...only to find your washing machine has decided to quit on you. Disaster! With a soggy mess on your hands, you call up a trusted plumber to come and save the day. A few hours later, Mr. P arrives, does his thing, and just like magic, your laundry crisis is averted. Did you stop to question his skills or the fee he charged? Of course not! You took it on faith that this professional had the proper training, years of experience under his tool belt, and the know-how to get the job done right.  

 

Now, let's add a twist – what if Mr. P was disabled? Would you have then started haggling over his fee, assuming he was somehow less qualified for the job? I'd certainly hope not! Yet, this is the kind of nonsense that the disabled population so often face.

 

I remember when I was just starting as a trainer, I was being paid 40% less than my non-disabled colleagues...all because some people didn't see me as "qualified enough." As if the way I moved or spoke somehow negated years of education and real-world experience! Even a decade into my career, clients would expect a discount. It was interesting that having delivered Equality & Diversity, and leadership training to one particular organisation, they asked for a lower price for the disability equality training session. Furthermore, I was asked to give it half the time, and it was abysmally attended.

 

The assumptions don't stop there, either. There's this bizarre notion that just because we have a difference, the only expertise we could possibly have as Disabled people is in disability. It's like assuming someone who wears glasses must be an ophthalmologist! Um, no...just like anyone else, we have a wide range of experience, knowledge and skills. My abilities and interests go far beyond identity or physique! 

Here comes the real stinger! You would be amazed how many people have asked me to work for free! That’s right. Having failed the interview, and faced the ableism of interviewers. “Surely, you don't need to work… I don't believe your CV… you have the wrong skills…” etc. I often get an invitation to do countless hours of volunteering instead. Literally asking me to pay in time, effort and money for own employment. My last volunteer job cost £140, a sum I had to find.

 

On top of being insulting, being treated as worthless is also incredibly painful. How many opportunities have I missed out on simply because someone decided I'd be "better off" sticking to a volunteering or disability-related role? Unfortunately, for many years, I didn't think to question such narrow-minded thinking. I accepted that I should specialise in disability because it was expected of me. Needless say I did eventually get my head around a socially pervasive and complex subject. These days, I know better even if I can fight it. With a master's degree, a PhD, and decades of valuable experience under my belt, at least I know who is undervaluing my worth. I may move, speak, or think a little differently owing to unusual experiences, but that certainly doesn't make me less talented or knowledgeable in the field. At the end of the day, disabled or not, we're all just human beings doing our best.

 

So let's start giving each other a fair shake (it's a gift) shall we? Our quirks don't define our abilities, the lines aren't straight on human development. I'd trust myself or any other disabled person to unclog your metaphorical pipes just as well as the next plumber!

Breaking The Bias

With huge thanks to Emma, and the University of Birmingham alumni team [@BBSalumniUoB]!! Let’s break the bias together! 

Mind the box

Our minds need to deal with a huge amount of information on a daily basis, so it’s unsurprising that we tend to lump stuff together. The boxes we shove information into, the stereotyping, isn’t the problem! What creates bias is the lack of thought we give to this boxing and its impact on our feelings and the difficulty we have in retrieving stuff. We rarely question, for example, whether it was put away correctly in the first place. Our boxing system is neither nuanced nor sensitive, it does not matter whether ideas are good, bad, right or wrong, in they go largely unquestioned. It seems volume matters more than accuracy, if what we hear is loud enough, and what we see is noticeable enough, we lob it in. If we hear sexist, homophobic, and racist comments they end up in a box. We have boxes full of ‘em.  Indeed, confirmation bias will see us actively adding conspicuous anomalies to our boxes, rather than looking out for the positive contributions individuals and groups make to the world around us.

 

When we think too fast, we react to the box, rather than take time to reflect on what is inside it - what we’ve seen, heard or read. Our judgements are skewed when based on what is assumed, our reaction likely to be in tune with what we feel – not at odds with what we think, had we taken time to question these feelings.  

At the crossroads on Women’s Day

As a disabled woman, I can speak on how ableism and ableism intersect. I used to be quite baffled by how emphatically some have rejected my experience over the decades.

A colleague once asked for my address, when I got to West Yorkshire… "no" they said … I looked at them somewhat confused. A stream of justifications followed, explaining why they had assumed that ‘West’ was not a region and why they felt I was wrong. I had to remind them it was my address, therefore I was most likely to know if it was correct or not. It was an uncomfortable moment for us both but illustrates quite clearly how unconscious bias works to confirm prejudice. A prejudice that ordinarily was absent in the appreciation of my contribution until that moment of inattention. Prejudiced was the assumption, in the split-second reaction, influencing my colleague's choice between my truth and theirs [here mine was rejected, but maybe I would have accepted theirs had I not been so certain of my own address - positive prejudice].

 

I’ve experienced this sort of thing many times, and the more I notice it the more it infuriates me. While I understand how bias happens, it’s no less painful to hear someone not believing you. Furthermore, BECAUSE it’s unconscious, I am likely to rattle someone’s certainty when opposing their feelings. They may feel they are right, but would possibly agree that the ideas they hold may be wrong. So it is of little help to point out the reaction, without the stereotype it is based on - the stories that are rarely questioned. Which makes the bias, or unchallenged assumption, especially difficult to stop. Because engaging in the stereotypes, lurking in everyday myths, demands a willingness to become aware of how prejudice works, and the lack of awareness that drives it. How seemingly unremarkable ideas lead us to have beliefs that we do not articulate.

 

Language and culture 

Our language and our culture create our world, what we say and what we see, is the fabric on which we weave our own story. Language matters because what gets the most airtime becomes the most trusted story - in the bigger storytelling. The shortcuts we take, for example in office or technical terminology, often reinforce either negative or positive ideas, particularly where wording does not help convey the complexity beyond our focus. Largely we stop questioning the assumptions we encounter daily when we hear the same story time and time again. If an idea is at odds with our experience [West Yorkshire] it will be dismissed, in time the exceptional is ignored and alternative views may disappear from the conversation altogether. When stressed, embarrassed, tired, or pushed for time, we rely more on feeling. It is then that we are less able to hear alternative views. Sadly our feelings aren’t critical or nuanced, we are far more likely to react to the box than think about what’s in it. Unless we're careful, we stop questioning the dominant narrative: the sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, religious intolerance, and the rejection of family or personal choice, because it's just too unremarkable being around us every day.

 

Unfortunately, when the ideas about a group of people are largely negative, our thoughts and actions may alter. For example, if we hear often enough that widget makers are cranky, we might approach them with trepidation- without even realising why we’re acting differently.  To unlearn bias we will need to identify very mindfully that the assumption - cranky - is worth questioning to then think quite deliberately about its veracity. Are the widget makers I’ve met cranky? Is it likely that ALL widget makers are equally cranky? Is it more likely that among widget makers some may be cranky but on the whole no more than any other group? In addition, overall there are more differences between widget makers than those not making widgets. Have widget makers had bad press over the years? Could their actions also be a reaction to this bad PR!?

 

Questioning the assumption

The bias, regarding sexism and ableism, comes from what we’ve seen and heard about disabled women over the years. Silence, or negative ideas, may have led to a list of unarticulated beliefs that sway our judgment, and while the ideas we boxed unquestionably may seem incongruous when exposed, it’s likely we react to them without thinking. Gladwell suggests we react so fast, in the blink of an eye, that our excuse is built on reaction rather than the assumption. the bias, then, is reinforced by thinking, rather than the idea exposed for myth. In this cycle, while evidence may be ignored, experience sits at odds with wider understanding becoming less important than our experience.  

 

While we ignore the impact of stereotypes on our actions, we’ll also unwittingly seek to confirm our bias, by not noticing the negative implications of our poor practice. Those in receipt of prejudice tend to react, rather than flourish, in an internal struggle against the discrimination they encounter. Energy directed in defence will be unavailable for advance. 

Breaking good

 Being nice does not break bias, particularly when it reinforces an otherwise unarticulated belief that some women are needy or deserving of pity. Exposing the myths is more important, a good spring clean of what we've boxed. Disabled women are no needier or wanting of pity. Exposing the negative ideas, those we see all too often when we search for them, and encourages us to identify the sexist/ablist assumptions behind so many storylines. Courageous, vile, uneducated, stupid, unfeeling - the many characterisations of cranky - imposed on groups and individuals.  

Breaking bias calls on us to replace complacency with action. To notice the assumptions, if not in the moment, soon after it! By asking "why did I feel I had to question and correct Joanna Jones?"  Reflection in action may be better still "before I interrupt Joanna, I better trust Ms Jones, and stop myself from interrupting or correcting her". Better still is to look for the harmful impact of many assumptions, hold them up for scrutiny, and think about the unintended consequences of what we say.  Thinking about Joanna Jones’s experience having to negotiate sexism and ableism, and understanding her success in breaking expectations- an achievement that needs to be evident. Most probably proof of her tenacity - not a fancy tale about her failure.

 

Reflection for action [rather than -in or -on action]  in its pre-emptive nature may be the best solution to breaking the bias. Not a quick fix, given the amount of homework needed to explore the alternatives, but certainly a route to shedding a light on the negative attitudes we are led by when we are not full of care. As we are called to think slow, rather than quick, let’s be willing to take a little time for the effort to appreciate the strength and knowledge in others with the sensitivity we owe them.

 

 

Bibliography

Agar, M. (1994). Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation. New York: Harper Collins.

Anderson, T. (2017). Telling the story of disability. Retrieved 11 10, 2018, from Washington state university libraries: https://research.wsulibs.wsu.edu/xmlui/handle/2376/12238

Berghs, M., Atkin, K., Graham, H., Hatton, C., & Thomas, C. (2017, 6 24). Public health, research and rights: the perspectives of deliberation panels with politically and socially active disabled people. Disability & Society, pp. 945-965.

Bryant, Watson, & Philo. (2011). Bad News for Disabled People: How the newspapers are reporting disability. University of Glasgow, Inclusion London. Glasgow: Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research and Glasgow Media Uni.

Burch, L. (2018). ‘You are a parasite on the productive classes: online disablist hate speech in austere time'. Disability and Society, 33(3), pp. 392-415.

Coleman, J., Brunell, A., & Hauge, I. (2014). Multiple Forms of Prejudice: How Gender and Disability Stereotypes Influence Judgments of Disabled Women and Men. Science+Business Media, 34, 177–189.

Crow, L. (2014, 8 28). Scroungers and Superhumans: Images of Disability from the Summer of 2012: A Visual Inquiry. Journal of visual culture, 13(2), pp. 168-181.

Deal, M. (2007). Aversive disablism: subtle prejudice toward disabled people. Disability & Society, 22(1).

Gladwell, M. (2008). Blink - The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. London: Penguin Books.

Hughes, B. (2015, Sept 11). 'Disabled people as counterfeit citizens: the politics of resentment past and present'. Disability and Society, 14.

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. London: Penguin.

Shohamy, E. (2006). Language Policy: Hidden agendas and new approaches. Abingdon: Routledge.

 

 

 

Neighbours!

 Allies 4  

 

♬🎶 Everybody needs good neighbours.
Just a friendly wave each morning,
Helps to make a better day. ♬🎶

Barry Crocker

 

 

I’m finding it hard to write about how frightening shared spaces can be for me. This relates to the last blog because if people were introduced to the notion of being an ally at work, more of us would take this understanding onto the street.

 

I was trying to explain to someone on the street a while ago that I need to park close to home because I cannot walk far. It was her response that felt like a body blow.  "Why live here?’ She asked me.

 

On the face of it, it’s an innocent question. But the assumption beneath it was problematic. As came through later in the conversation, she was asking me why I hadn’t bough a house elsewhere. In ‘disabled people’s land’ I presume. Because, she kept asking why I’d moved into a normal [sic] neighbourhood...

 

“There isn’t a land for disabled folk!” I wanted to shout.  There are no houses with drives, level access, big room, adjustable kitchen counter heights, ground floor bathrooms... at affordable prices, they just are not built!! The idea that there’s a street, or suburb, where ‘you lot’ can live is also reprehensible. Yet it appeared to be an option for this woman. 

 

I have these conversations occasionally, or variations on a theme... unintentional bloops that escape the lips of those unfamiliar, and therefore reliant on ideas that don’t stand up to scrutiny.  I can’t help thinking that our neighbourhoods would be safer for disabled people if those so privileged by them were made to think. It must be wonderful to be able to negotiate a full day with having to worry about parking, access, toilets, bad attitude, rejection, challenges...  Privilege here is not being on the receiving end of a belief that disabled people belong elsewhere. The idea that we should somehow seek permission in shared spaces. To be held apart in groups, networks and communities, by the benevolence of those kind enough to let us in.

 

Being a community ally, is making sure space is not only open, but absence is noticed.  "You were not there, where were you?"  

Had we all received a modicum of disability equality education in our working lives, imagine how much safer our communities would be. Of course making the workplace safe is a priority. But we are born to be human not solely workers surely? Beyond familial relationships there are many connections that are critical to our sense of belonging. 

Our neighbours are wonderful, and mutual support, understanding, and cake are in abundance. But, on our street it’s Kevin’s enthusiastic hello that outshines mine on every occasion, a generosity that states I belong in his world!

 

As some will have noticed, there’s a progression in the last 4 (5) blogs. The sequence matters to me. I’ve moved from a personal, to a friendship, to a professional, to end on a community dialogue with purpose. I wanted to be able to show how our language changes depending on relationships, context, place and space. Not being able to refer to the intimacy within my relationship with my sister, makes it really difficult to point out how boundaries differ in the workplace. As a disabled woman, I look for allies everyday, people able to buffer the ableism and sexism the world sends my way.  In public spaces, I need others to know how to articulate the complexities and nuances the culture that surrounds us. Thankfully many do!! 

 

Thank you to the women!

Here’s to the fiery ones!

Those who fill the tank, refresh the engine and oil the wheels! The reason I keep running!

Many have stepped forward over the years to make life sweet when it was hard. I Thank you to the women!

Here’s to the women! Those who fill the tank, refresh the engine and oil the wheels!!

Many have stepped forward over the years to make life sweet when it was hard. I thank these women, they are the leaders. Here is a cheer, a thank you, an acknowledgement of gratitude!!

It takes a little thought to step up, look around, see who’s struggling and offer at hand. A gentle push, an enthusiast round of applause, a kind hug, a holding hand! Leadership activity of a feminist nature is so often characterist by empathy, thought and shared interest. I think it stands so powerfully against the raging machismo and abuse of power splashed across the front pages, screens and time lines. Thank you to the women that keep me strong, happy, wanted ... in! Those who check I’m ok, in, wanted, invited and welcomed.

It takes consideration to understand one’s privileged position and put it to good use. To know the power we hold, look around and put ourselves in the shoes of those less fortunate, comfortable, happy, and pain free. We don’t know what inhibits women’s potential to flourish, but effort to acknowledge and encourage is not going to harm those already ready to fly. But for those struggling it can change an hour, a day, a week, a year...

Thank you also to the men, those also acknowledging the gaps, the inequality, the discrimination and injustice weighing down on women! The feminists, activists, and community shakers. Speaking out, teaching peers, raising generations to be kind with their strength, sensitive with their power, generous with their privilege.


It takes a little thought to step up sometimes, to look around, to find those struggling, and to offer a helping hand. A gentle push, an enthusiast round of applause, a kind hug, or a holding space! Leadership activity, one of a feminist nature, is so often characterist by empathy. A reflexive thought, a spirited action and a shared interest. I think it stands so powerfully against the raging machismo and abuse of power splashed across the front pages, screens and timelines in the current age. 

Here's a personal thank you to the women that keep me strong, happy, wanted ... in! Those who check I’m ok, I'm in... wanted, invited and welcome.

It takes consideration to understand one’s own privileged position and put it to good use. To know the power we hold, look around and put ourselves in the shoes of those less fortunate, comfortable, happy, and pain free. We don’t know what inhibits women’s potential to flourish, but effort to acknowledge and encourage is not going to harm those already ready to fly. But for those struggling it can change an hour, a day, a week, a year...

Thank you also to the men, those who also acknowledge the gaps, the inequality, the discrimination and injustice weighing women down! LOUDLY!

The feminists, activists, and community builders! Speaking out, teaching peers, raising generations to be kind with their strength, sensitive with their power, and generous with their privilege.

Have happy days, I thank you!!