Dismantling Ableism in Social Work Employment: A Call for Disability Justice

Authors

Shannon M. Trecartin, Andrews UniversityFollow
Twyla Smith, Andrews UniversityFollow
Terrance P. Trecartin, Andrews UniversityFollow

Keywords

ableism, employment, social work, disability justice

Abstract

This call to action confronts ableist employment practices in the social work profession and emphasizes the core values of the profession, the profession’s call for anti-oppressive and inclusive approaches to justice, and Principles of Disability Justice as avenues to rectify such systemic disparities. Grounded in the lived experiences of the authors, it sheds light on the barriers faced by disabled social workers seeking employment and offers context for understanding both the challenges and opportunities in the field. The authors collectively advocate for reform in social work employment to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment. Drawing on their own experiences, they urge social work professionals and employers to address ableism through culture change, leadership inclusion, demystification of the reasonable accommodations process, and systematic policy and procedure reviews. By implementing these recommendations, the social work profession can move towards a more just and inclusive future, aligned with its core values and principles of disability justice.

Recommended Citation

Trecartin, Shannon M.; Smith, Twyla; and Trecartin, Terrance P. (2024) "Dismantling Ableism in Social Work Employment: A Call for Disability Justice," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 51: Iss. 1, Article 13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.4724
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol51/iss1/13