An Intersectional Look at Disability in the US Publishing Industry Workplace: Systemic Barriers and the Opportunities of COVID's Impact on the Workplace within the US

Abstract

This paper examines the barriers that exist for people with disabilities working in publishing, as well as the opportunities (or disadvantages) COVID-19 has brought to disabled publishing employees. Critical and intersectional factors such as race, gender, and more are also considered. Overall, it was found that embracing more hybrid and remote work situations, a decentralization of the industry away from fixed locations like New York, better employee conditions (such as higher pay and more paid time off), and real workplace-centered efforts to destigmatize disability would help eliminate barriers to disabled employees in the publishing industry. These observations can and should be considered for other white-collar jobs.