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, but now, 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 DRW aims to foster. 

Empowerment Through Knowledge

DRW responded by empowering Martha to advocate for herself. The organization provided personalized support, including:

• A detailed factsheet explaining Martha's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Concrete examples of how to counter potential employer arguments

• A practice conversation to build Martha's confidence in discussing her legal protections

This wasn't just about one job. DRW's approach focused on education and lifelong skills of self-advocacy. 

Instead of immediately filing a formal complaint, they equipped Martha with the knowledge and tools to potentially resolve the situation directly. They walked her through a practice conversation that helped Martha feel prepared and confident in explaining her rights.

By the end of their interaction, Martha felt empowered and grateful, armed with the information needed to stand up for her workplace rights.