How Trump’s Attacks on DEI are Threatening Disability Justice Initiatives

Disability justice is a critical framework that addresses and acknowledges the systemic barriers individuals with disabilities face to advocate for equity and inclusion. Trump’s recent dismantling of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, threatens this foundational work and advocacy for equal opportunity in the work field. 

For example, according to, 'Disability Employment' (2025), in OPM U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Schedule A is a hiring program used by agencies to hire qualified individuals with disabilities, non-competitively, for jobs within the federal government. While the federal job process is generally time-consuming and lengthy, Schedule A is programmed to make hiring faster and easier. 

Additionally, according to, OPM U.S. Office of Personnel Management, a few unique ideals of this program is that individuals with disabilities have a two-year probationary period, compared to the one-year probationary period that other federal employees have. This is to avoid skepticism that comes with hiring individuals with disabilities, as there is more time for accommodation needs and evaluation. Additionally, usually Schedule A reserves jobs for current federal employees to apply for, but it allows individuals with disabilities to apply, regardless of being a federal employee. 

According to, 'Trump criticized DEI and the FAA's diversity policies after a deadly plane crash. Here’s what we know.' (2025), in CBS News, amidst the aviation crash between an Army helicopter and a passenger plane in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump has used this to support his anti-diversity agenda. He blames the Federal Aviation Administration, which employs people with disabilities, for the crash. While the cause is under investigation, there is no evidence that Trump’s claims would have compromised aviation. Trump has no reasoning for these outrageous claims, as individuals with disabilities go under the rigorous training and standards for this line of work, and have the qualifications needed. 

The shallow statements made by President Trump are perpetual harmful stereotypes that have been fought against for decades to support civil rights. Additionally, wrongly accusing individuals with disabilities of contributing to the attack on diversity, hides from the actual reasons for these now-frequent aviation crashes. As CBS News mentioned, getting rid of many qualified and skilled adults living with disabilities would deprive the aviation system, and put them in serious danger. The stigma and discrimination continue to grow and worsen and reduce the representation of disability justice.  

This is further seen in the field of social work. According to 'We need more social workers with disabilities' (2025), in the Daily Trojan, social work is critical in the sense that individuals with disabilities can provide unique perspectives, as they have experienced similar situations or feelings as their clients. With this firsthand knowledge of navigating a world that highlights and operates in an able-bodied way, clients struggle to gain a level of understanding that speaks to them. According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 'We need more social workers with disabilities' (2025), in the Daily Trojan, in 2024, 22.7% of individuals with disabilities were employed, while 65.5 individuals without disabilities were employed. As Daily Trojan mentions, individuals with disabilities experience more mental distress than individuals without disabilities, social workers with disabilities are crucial for challenging these preconceived notions and ableist narratives. The recent exacerbation of these existing barriers creates more exclusion and unease. 

Representation is critical in disability justice, hence the push and focus of individuals with disabilities in the employment field. Especially in social work, Daily Trojan highlights the invaluable experiences that provide a powerful framework for clients and society. Disability justice isn’t just about fighting and enforcing policies, it is about continuing the dignity of basic human rights for individuals with disabilities in society. Reflecting on Trump’s address to Congress, 'WATCH: Trump says U.S. ‘will be woke no longer’' (2025), in PBS News, about his accomplishments on March 4th, he remarks that, “Our country will be woke no longer,” Trump said. “We believe that whether you are a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer, or an air traffic controller, you should be hired and promoted based on skill and competence, not race or gender.”  This statement dismisses many of the initiatives of disability justice. Trump dismisses that individuals with disabilities do have the skills and competence for these jobs. But it is rather the stigma that perpetuates skepticism and oppression when it comes to hiring individuals with disabilities that DEI initiatives challenged, to promote equity and opportunity for marginalized groups. 

By Kieran Flores