Fighting for Disability Rights with Haley Moss

October 12, 2020

Haley Moss is a speaker, educator, scholar, artist, advocate, author, and the first documented openly autistic attorney admitted to the Florida Bar. After making international headlines, Haley uses her voice and story to amplify disability rights each and every day. Haley didn’t always plan to pursue fighting for disability rights, but after discovering the diversified culture and history of people with disabilities, she was drawn to making much-needed progress in this space.

[vc_row el_class=”text-2″][vc_column][vc_column_text]When Haley was nine years old, her parents decided to share something with her that made her special. She had autism, and was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. She grew up with the perspective that what made her different also made her extraordinary, and was never ashamed of what makes her unique. Growing up she worked hard in school and accomplished many of her goals, including receiving her degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 2018. Haley loved becoming an attorney as well as her experience with school, but her eyes were also opened to the many ways law school could be made more inclusive.

After graduation, Haley began a career as an attorney in the state of Florida and was the first openly autistic lawyer sworn into the Florida Bar. Her story was picked up by the news cycle which included the Associated Press, USA Today, and The Today Show to name a few. Soon after, she found that the story others were telling about her, wasn’t the story she wanted to tell — one of a woman with autism who could accomplish incredible things, and that means you can too. It’s simply not true, and far oversimplifies her experience and the experience of others with disabilities.

Haley took back the narrative. Since then, she’s made sure the headlines looked beyond the surface, described the barriers she’s faced, and continues to inspire people to take action to make a change for those with disabilities. She’s authored articles like How To Date When You Have A Disability for GQ and Hiring neurodiverse people like me can give companies a competitive advantage for The Washington Post.

Today, Haley’s goal to educate and inspire change remains the same. Her upcoming book, Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers, targets the legal field — which Haley believes needs the most work when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Through her other two books and countless articles written, she is actively changing the conversation on disability — for the better.

What else can you expect in this episode?

The story of how a reporter at her Florida Bar ceremony spiraled into international coverage of Haley’s accomplishments.
Her take on the need for a deeper understanding about inclusivity.
Haley’s description of what sensory overload feels like for her.
Why employer education is important in eliminating disability bias in the workplace.
Haley’s advice on steps you can take to become more inclusive.

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When Haley was nine years old, her parents decided to share something with her that made her special. She had autism, and was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. She grew up with the perspective that what made her different also made her extraordinary, and was never ashamed of what makes her unique. Growing up she worked hard in school and accomplished many of her goals, including receiving her degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 2018. Haley loved becoming an attorney as well as her experience with school, but her eyes were also opened to the many ways law school could be made more inclusive.

What else can you expect in this episode?

The story of how a reporter at her Florida Bar ceremony spiraled into international coverage of Haley’s accomplishments.
Her take on the need for a deeper understanding about inclusivity.
Haley’s description of what sensory overload feels like for her.
Why employer education is important in eliminating disability bias in the workplace.
Haley’s advice on steps you can take to become more inclusive.