Employment Discrimination and Disability Rights in Practice

As a Colorado resident and veteran, I’ve experienced firsthand the gaps that exist between written disability rights and how those rights are applied in the workplace.

In 2025, I worked for a large natural foods retailer in Colorado. After disclosing diagnoses of anxiety and depression and beginning the process of evaluation for autism, I submitted a formal ADA accommodation request. My request was simple: written communication of expectations and feedback, predictable scheduling, and time to process before responding in stressful interactions. Rather than engaging in the interactive process required by law, my employer’s response included increased micromanagement, exclusion from meetings, and a corrective action that predated my request but was later used to justify denying it. The resulting environment became hostile and psychologically damaging.

When I transferred stores in an effort to continue working, the mistreatment continued until I ultimately felt forced to resign. Months later, the same company influenced a vendor (my subsequent employer) to terminate me from my position, further compounding the harm.

My experience reveals that many employees with non-visible disabilities—especially neurodivergent workers—face retaliation or dismissal instead of understanding. Existing policies may protect us on paper, but enforcement is inconsistent, and accountability for corporate actors is weak.

Recommendations:

1. Strengthen state-level enforcement mechanisms for ADA compliance, including independent oversight when internal HR departments fail to act.

2. Require mandatory manager training on neurodiversity, mental health, and accommodation procedures.

3. Expand legal support and advocacy for individuals pursuing discrimination claims, particularly where employment loss or retaliation is involved.

4. Establish clearer protections for workers whose disabilities are still under evaluation but who demonstrate a legitimate need for interim accommodations.

Coloradans with disabilities deserve more than acknowledgment—they deserve systems that ensure their rights are respected in practice.