What is an appropriate first step when a consumer reports discrimination in employment due to disability?

• A. Call authorities.
• B. Ignore the report.
• C. Educate on disability rights and refer to an advocacy agency.
• D. Encourage the consumer to seek a different job.

Answer: (C)

When someone faces discrimination at work because of a disability, the immediate aim is to empower them with knowledge of their protections and access to help. The best first step is to educate them about disability rights and connect them with an advocacy agency. This approach validates their experience and provides concrete resources about how laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and state protections (such as FEHA) shield them and outline options for action. An advocacy agency can help them document incidents, understand accommodation requirements, and navigate steps such as filing a complaint with the EEOC or the state agency, or pursuing other remedies. This sets the stage for informed decisions and appropriate next actions.

Calling authorities isn’t the typical first move for discrimination unless there’s an immediate safety or criminal issue, which isn’t the usual scenario here. Ignoring the report fails to acknowledge the person's rights, and encouraging them to seek a different job doesn’t address the discrimination or available protections.