IDERD and Intersectionality: Double Discrimination of Racial and Ableist Bias

With the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) in mind, I recently talked to someone about how racial bias compounds other forms of discrimination, including ableism and stigma against neurodivergence. Racial discrimination does not exist in isolation—it intersects with other identity factors, deepening inequalities, and exclusion.

One such intersection that remains largely unspoken in many Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities is the experience of individuals who are both neurodivergent or disabled and from a migrant background. The reality is that these individuals not only face systemic discrimination in broader Australian society but also encounter unique challenges within their own communities.

This year, let us use IDERD as a platform to:

• Acknowledge that racial discrimination is not just about how our communities are treated externally, but also about the biases we hold within.
• Recognize that neurodivergent and disabled individuals within CALD communities experience double discrimination—both racial and ableist.
• Commit to dismantling harmful narratives around disability and neurodivergence within our own cultures, just as we advocate against racism in broader society.

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The Cultural Stigma Surrounding Disability and Neurodivergence

“When Aisha’s son, Omar, was diagnosed with autism, she hesitated to tell her family. Back home, disability was whispered about, a quiet shame no one acknowledged. “Don’t label him,” her mother warned. “People will think something is wrong with our family.”

In Australia, Aisha saw other parents advocating for their neurodivergent children, yet she felt trapped between two worlds—one that ignored Omar’s needs and another that judged her for not speaking up. At school, Omar struggled without support, while at family gatherings, relatives dismissed his challenges as "just a phase."

One day, a teacher suggested a support group for CALD parents of neurodivergent children. There, Aisha met others facing the same battle. Slowly, she found her voice, challenging old beliefs and pushing for change. Her story reminds us: stigma thrives in silence but understanding and advocacy can rewrite the narrative for future generations.”        

?Many of us who come from CALD backgrounds know firsthand how disability and neurodivergence have been historically viewed in our countries of origin. Whether it is through cultural narratives that tie disability to shame, karma, or punishment, or the deeply ingrained expectation to "overcome" perceived deficits rather than receive support, these perspectives create harmful environments for those who need understanding and advocacy the most.

Even within multicultural Australia, these attitudes persist. Migrant communities, despite being resilient and close-knit, often internalize the same stigmas from their home countries. Families may discourage discussions around neurodivergence or disability, fearing that it might bring "dishonour" or limit professional and social opportunities. As a result, many within our own communities suffer in silence, struggling with the compounded effects of societal discrimination and familial misunderstanding.

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The Double Burden: Discrimination from Both Sides

“David, a talented engineer, always felt like an outsider. As a neurodivergent migrant, he had learned to mask his struggles—forcing eye contact, suppressing stims, and pushing through sensory overload to “fit in.” At work, he faced subtle biases; colleagues dismissed his ideas as “too intense,” and promotions slipped away.

But the hardest part wasn’t the workplace—it was his own community. His parents, proud of their sacrifices to build a life in Australia, insisted he just “try harder” and avoid drawing attention. Relatives whispered, “He’s smart, but… different.”

When David finally sought a diagnosis, his family resisted. “Why label yourself?” his father said. “People will think you’re broken.” The weight of hiding took a toll on his mental health. It wasn’t until he met others like him—people embracing their identity—that he realized: true belonging doesn’t come from masking, but from being accepted as you are.”        

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The challenge for neurodivergent and disabled individuals in CALD communities is twofold. They are already navigating a world that is not built for them—one filled with inaccessible workplaces, unconscious biases, and systemic barriers to opportunity. But beyond this, they often face exclusion and a lack of acceptance from within their own cultural communities.

This creates an environment where people feel the need to hide parts of themselves to "fit in"—masking neurodivergence to avoid being labelled as "difficult," downplaying disabilities to avoid being perceived as a burden, or even self-excluding from opportunities out of fear of judgment. This is not just an issue of social exclusion; it directly impacts mental health, employment opportunities, and overall well-being.

Flipping the Narrative: A Call to Action for CALD Communities

It is time for our CALD communities to challenge these outdated narratives and embrace a more inclusive perspective. We must actively work to dismantle the internalized stigmas that have been passed down through generations.

Here are some steps we can take:

1. Educate Ourselves and Others – Understanding neurodivergence and disability through a modern, informed lens is key. Recognizing that these are not "flaws" or "weaknesses" but natural variations of human experience can help shift perceptions.
2. Foster Open Conversations – Creating safe spaces within our communities to discuss these topics is essential. Families, workplaces, and cultural organizations should encourage open dialogue rather than silence and shame.
3. Support, Not Silence – Instead of discouraging family members from seeking diagnosis or accommodations, we should be their strongest advocates. Support means embracing neurodivergent and disabled individuals as they are, not forcing them to conform to a narrow definition of "normal."
4. Challenge Discrimination from Within – If we can speak up about racism in broader society, we must also address ableism and neurodivergence bias within our own circles. We must hold our communities accountable for exclusionary attitudes and work towards genuine inclusivity.
5. Amplify Lived Experiences – Listening to and elevating the voices of neurodivergent and disabled individuals from CALD backgrounds is crucial. Their experiences provide invaluable insight into how we can all do better.

A Collective Responsibility to Do Better

The struggle for inclusion cannot rest solely on the shoulders of those who experience discrimination. As members of CALD communities, we must take responsibility for reshaping how we perceive disability and neurodivergence. Instead of perpetuating silence and stigma, we must create cultures of acceptance and empowerment.

True inclusion is not about helping people "overcome" their disabilities or differences—it is about changing the world so that they don’t have to. That change starts within our own communities. The question is: are we ready to step up?

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