A Virginia teenager with cerebral palsy has said that he was denied a job interview because of his disability.
Chad Lowery, 19, said that he was supposed to have an interview at a home decor store, Tuesday Morning, in Hancock Village.
“They went to get the manager and she approached me and said ‘I’m sorry, we don’t hire people with disabilities.’ I tried to negotiate with her and she stood firm with her statement,” Lowery wrote on Twitter.
“I’ve never been so insulted in my whole life. Please retweet this to let people know discrimination still exists and it’s unacceptable.”
Today I was supposed to have a job interview at a store. I want to keep the company anonymous so let’s make up a name like Tuesday Morning in a place called idk Hancock Village. I went into the store and said I’m here for an interview. They went to get the manager and she
— Chad Lowery (@chadlowery18) April 1, 2019
Approached me and said “I’m sorry, we don’t hire people with disabilities.” I tried to negotiate with her and she stood firm with her statement. I’ve never been so insulted in my whole life. Please retweet this to let people know discrimination still exists and it’s unacceptable
— Chad Lowery (@chadlowery18) April 1, 2019
The teen told WTVR that he tries to be as independent as possible despite the disability.
“I want to be independent as I possibly can,” Lowery told WTVR. “I want people to know just because I have a disability doesn’t mean I can’t work.”
He said that the interview was scheduled and he confirmed the time with the manager by text message several hours before he went into the store.
When he saw her in person, though, things changed.
Chesterfield man with cerebral palsy says store manager denied him job interview https://t.co/U8gz5ao3fP pic.twitter.com/zBNRmJ5BCT
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) April 3, 2019
TONIGHT AT 11– “To only give him 5 minutes and not even let him talk, it was totally rude.”
A Chesterfield teen says he showed up to a job interview but the manager immediately turned him away when she saw he had cerebral palsy.#CBS6 #RVA pic.twitter.com/OlOLzxbX0J— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) April 3, 2019
“I asked her, ‘Is there any possible positions I can work?’ And she said, ‘No’ and she walked away from me,” he said. “I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself at all. She didn’t even get to know me.”
Tuesday Morning issued a statement to WTVR in response to what happened.
“Tuesday Morning is committed to the principles of nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees. And, we believe that every experience at Tuesday Morning should be a positive one,” the company stated.
“With respect to this matter, we are working expeditiously and thoroughly to assess the nature of Mr. Lowery’s interaction with our Chesterfield store, and will take corrective action (as needed) based on the outcome of this process.”
The company did not address what happened on its social media platforms or website.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
“CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles,” it stated.
Some people with the disorder might not be able to walk and need intensive care while others might walk awkwardly and not need much care at all. Symptoms include stiff muscles, uncontrollable movement, and poor balance and coordination.
