Did They Not Know? People with Disabilities Are Part of the DEI Community

As we observe Disability Awareness Month, it's important to reflect on the pivotal role that people with disabilities play within the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) framework. It begs the question: Did they not know? Far-right activists, in their relentless attack on DEI programs, are not only targeting racial, gender, and sexual identity groups but are also pushing back on the progress that has been made in accessibility, inclusion, and belonging for people with disabilities. In the rush to dismantle DEI, are they consciously or unconsciously stripping away the hard-won victories that make spaces more inclusive for people with disabilities?

Inclusion Was Born in the Disability Community

Many seem to forget that the very concept of inclusion has its roots in the disability rights movement. Before diversity initiatives were commonplace, people with disabilities were fighting for their right to be included in public life—physically, socially, and economically. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, was a landmark moment in civil rights legislation, ensuring that people with disabilities had access to public spaces, employment, and educational opportunities. It was one of the first major victories for inclusion, long before DEI became a corporate buzzword.

Inclusion, as a principle, was not born from corporate strategies or government mandates—it came from the disability community, fighting for the right to participate fully in society. Without these early battles, today's broader DEI initiatives would lack the foundational principles that have shaped efforts toward a more equitable world. When far-right groups push back against DEI, they are directly undermining these inclusive values that people with disabilities fought for and continue to need.

Slicing and Dicing the DEI Community: A Divisive Tactic

We see a disturbing trend where far-right activists are attempting to slice and dice the DEI community. They try to pit various identity groups—women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and now people with disabilities—against each other, creating divisions within a movement that, at its core, is about unity. Let us not be fooled by this tactic. The far-right is strategically targeting DEI, hoping to disarm it by isolating its different parts, knowing full well that the strength of DEI lies in its collective impact.

By attacking DEI programs, they are not just rolling back protections for marginalized racial and gender groups—they are also attacking accessibility and belonging for people with disabilities. These efforts to dismantle DEI undermine the very essence of equity, and we must stand together to protect what has been built over decades.

Disability is a Critical Component of DEI

People with disabilities have always been part of the DEI conversation, even if they are sometimes overlooked. DEI is not just about diversity of race, gender, or sexual orientation—it is about all forms of human difference, including physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. Programs designed to create accessible workspaces, promote fair hiring practices, and foster inclusive environments are integral to the DEI mission. Accessibility is equity. Without it, belonging cannot exist.

As DEI initiatives continue to be attacked, we must ensure that the disability community is not left behind. Every time a corporation steps back from its DEI commitments, they are also stepping back from commitments to accessibility and belonging for employees and customers with disabilities.

Will the Disability Index Be Next?

We must also ask: Will the Disability Index be their next target? This tool, which allows organizations to assess their progress in making workplaces accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, has been instrumental in advancing equity. The Disability Index holds organizations accountable, ensuring they don’t fall behind in creating accessible environments. But given the current attacks on all things DEI, we must be prepared for the possibility that these efforts to gauge progress on disability inclusion could be next on the chopping block.

The Disability Index is a critical measure of how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. If we allow it to be discarded or ignored, we risk losing the momentum that has been building to create more inclusive spaces for people with disabilities. As advocates, it is our responsibility to ensure that accessibility remains a priority, not a footnote.

Conclusion: We Are Stronger Together

As we reflect on Disability Awareness Month, let us remember that DEI is not a fragmented or selective effort. It encompasses all marginalized groups, including people with disabilities. The far-right’s attempts to divide us are nothing more than a strategy to weaken the entire movement. We must stand strong and unified, because inclusion, accessibility, and belonging are non-negotiable. Let us protect the gains we have made and push forward, ensuring that people with disabilities are always part of the DEI community—and that DEI remains a movement for everyone.

Effenus Henderson