Justice on the Job

"Martha," a young woman from central Wisconsin, faced a challenging workplace situation when she was fired after experiencing a seizure during her fifth day of work at a local business. She had sought out this part-time job as a way to earn money for college. Despite working successfully for four days, her epilepsy had apparently become the reason for her termination.

Seeking guidance, Martha contacted Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) with a clear goal: understanding her legal rights so she could confidently address the situation with her former employer.

"I just want to know what my rights are so that I can try to educate my former employer myself," Martha explained, embodying the spirit of self-determination that Disability Rights Wisconsin aims to foster. 

Empowerment Through Knowledge

The organization responded by empowering Martha to advocate for herself. They provided support in different ways, including:

• a detailed factsheet explaining her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• concrete examples of ways she could counter potential employer arguments.

• a practice conversation to build her confidence in explaining her rights to her employer.

This wasn't just about one job. 

Filing a formal complaint would solve the issue for Martha, but only this time. Looking to the future, Disability Rights Wisconsin's approach focused on making sure that she knew her rights and learned lifelong self-advocacy skills. To make sure she was ready, the organization guided Martha through a practice conversation that helped her feel prepared and confident in explaining her rights.

By the end of their time together, Martha felt empowered and grateful. She was now armed with the tools and knowledge needed to stand up for herself in the workplace.