A Double Shot of No Accommodations
I was recently made aware of a rather sad and disappointing story of a young woman who successfully juggles part-time work and dyslexia while attending college and maintaining an impressive GPA. Like most members of Generation Z, she is very conscientious of the types of companies she wants to add to her resume. She enjoyed her previous job working for a small smoothie franchise. Although the work could be physically grueling (she didn’t mind), the hours were erratic and weren’t conducive to her school efforts. Therefore, she set out to research other potential employers.
Soon, she came upon a nearby coffee bar and roaster with an impressive commitment to the environment and sustainable farming. After a few successful interviews, she was delighted to be hired as a barista. Unlike the smoothie shop, which featured extensive training along with recipes plainly detailed and illustrated and various cup sizes she could easily reference behind the counter, the café relied on the barista to memorize almost the entire menu. This memorization approach might work with veteran employees and under quiet conditions, but for a newbie, with dyslexia, it could prove problematic, especially during a rush of customers.
The young woman thought the café would train and provide discreet easy-to-follow menus like the smoothie shop. Although she tried hard, on occasion, she did mix up a hot drink for a cold brew or maybe gave a 20-ounce cup instead of 16. Other than being told to “be careful,” there was no other reprimand.
On a Monday morning, the young woman arose at 5:30 a.m. to be at the nearby café at 6:30 a.m. Upon her arrival, she was informed that she was being “let go” and was handed her final check and tips. There was no particular reason given other than a “change” that needed to be made, and that was that.
Would the outcome have been different if the young lady had requested accommodations due to her dyslexia? Would she dare step out and ask for special treatment? This is the aim of the I AM ABLE Foundation. To make the acceptance of dyslexia as simple as hiring someone wearing glasses! How easy would it have been the café to emulate the training or behind-the-counter recipes of the smoothie shop? If an employee is hired who requires a wheelchair, accommodations are made. If an employee is short in height, materials are available to them at their level. So why are people with dyslexia rarely factored into the equation when it comes to accommodating the needs of employees who process differently? Again, it could be that the employee with dyslexia doesn’t want to call attention to themselves and their needs, and so begins a vicious cycle.
What if the young lady had spoken up about her needs? Would the café manager have been receptive? It seems that both employees and customers would have benefited from very little effort and expenditure.
All of us at the I AM ABLE Foundation hope you’ll join us in helping people like this young woman find their voice and speak up next time they encounter an inequity. All of us building this foundation are champions of invisible struggles. Standing together in our collective truth, all of us with neurodivergent strengths will show the world that you are able, I am able, and together, we can make a significant change in almost all aspects of our personal and professional journeys.
