Read the following scenario and identify where bias and prejudice is taking place. Be sure to name the type of prejudice.

Question

Scenario:

Zahra, a grade 11 student, recently applied for a part-time job at the local mall. She was called in for an interview. When Zahra enters the store, she immediately notices that there are dim lights, making it difficult to navigate. Zahra interviews for the role and expresses to the hiring manager that she has a visual condition that affects her ability to see. The manager tells her that he cannot accommodate or support her with this. She is not offered the role as a result.
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Answer 1

In this scenario, bias and prejudice are evident in the actions of the hiring manager towards Zahra. The specific type of prejudice at play here is ableism, which is the discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Zahra's visual condition affects her ability to see, and the hiring manager's refusal to accommodate her suggests an ingrained bias against those with disabilities. This reflects a prejudice that assumes individuals with disabilities cannot perform job duties effectively, without consideration of the potential for reasonable accommodations that could enable Zahra to succeed in the role. The result of this prejudice is that Zahra is denied the job opportunity, solely based on her visual condition rather than her qualifications or skills.