Welcome to Expert Voices a series of Neurodivergent & Disabled Professional speaking on their lived experienced, point of view on disability, ableism in the workplace, and so much.
Introduction
- Interviewer is Tas
- Interviewee is Dev
Tas: I would like to give a warm welcome to Dev Nyuki Moretti (DeNiM)! Thank you for being a guest on this blog series. I know that your contributions and insights will be invaluable for the autistic and neurodivergent community. Let’s dive right in!
If you are comfortable sharing, do you have a visible or invisible disability?
Dev: “I’m autistic and that means the society I inhabit disables me regularly, quite casually. I plan and organize meticulously to minimize getting dysregulated and sensory overload. I’ll have expectations of how an interaction will go, but then the bus will be late, for example, and the people I deal with will be rude/abrupt and unhelpful, and my entire plan is thrown out the window so I struggle to calm down and think carefully about a plan B, so to speak.”
Tas: Dysregulation and sensory overload can be torture! On top of that, dealing with the rudeness of others. People don’t understand how rude, abrupt and unhelpful approaches only increase the barriers autistic people face. When you are in these situations what steps do you take to cope?
Dev: “Trying to breathe and think while there are so many unpleasant smells, noises, bright lights is overwhelming. This happens regularly when my work requires me to go into the office for a meeting that often should have been a simple email. Even at work, dealing with people who don’t communicate clearly impacts my ability to do my job to the standards required by my employer. It’s frustrating, disheartening, and demotivating.”
Tas: The dreaded “this could have been an email” moment. The workplace can be an extremely unwelcoming place for neurodivergent folks. What industry do you work in?
Dev: “I’m a public relations (PR) and communications officer at a property management and social housing company based in Cape Town. I left a well-paid corporate job because of racism and transphobia in the work environment, and I retrained as a copywriter when the pandemic started. Ideally, I’d be writing poetry, short stories, plays, and screenplays all day and every day. I started writing a novel, but I got scared.”
Tas: Sounds like the very definition of a hostile workplace! Would you say that your industry is not good at accommodating disabled professionals?
Dev: “Digital marketing is generally accommodating as an industry. My freelance clients – who are mostly based in North America and Europe – are much more aware, perhaps also because of the remote nature of the work I do for them. Things are far different in Cape Town where employers still insist on employees being in the office no matter what. My current employer doesn’t require this, thankfully.”
Tas: The difference in view of disability and neurodivergence varies depending on lived experiences. SoI am curious, how has your personal perspective on disability changed?
Dev: “I never thought of myself as disabled until I became aware of my neurodivergence in the middle of a burnout. Now, I accept and embrace my disabilities and advocate for myself whenever I can.”
Tas: Self acceptance is a long journey and embracing disability can be complex. Dealing with barriers that are created because of society’s lack of inclusion and equity is understandably exhausting. With that in mind, what type of professional barriers do you face because of the professional world’s lack of awareness about neurodivergence and disability?
Dev: “Video interviews and IQ tests during a recruitment process are the bane of my existence. Some employers won’t even consider an application without such a video and test results. I’m a writer, not an actor – I don’t understand how my video will tell the employer how well I can do the work they require. And IQ tests are offensive, unsound, and biased. Neither of these two requirements lead to productive or inclusive work environments.”
Tas: I heard you just released a new book! I picked myself up a copy and let me tell you, it really hit me in the feels. Such raw and authentic emotions that you captured so beautifully. Tell me how your experiences as a neurodivergent professional inspired this new poetic masterpiece?
Dev: “Salt & Spite: An Alchemy of Liberation” is an unflinchingly honest and defiant collection of poetry and prose that confronts identity, trauma, and systemic oppression. It’s a manifesto for the marginalized — particularly LGBTQIA2S+ and neurodivergent readers — and a way of reclaiming power. It’s revolt, sanctuary, and rebirth. An invitation to break free from constraining identities and embrace our authentic, multifaceted selves.
Tas: Being part of multiple marginalized identities is a unique experience. I know that here in the US, particularly my state or Colorado, there is a plethora of implicit and explicit ableism. What does disability acceptance look like in Cape Town? I am curious what similarities and differences you notice about disability acceptance in your city versus the US.
Dev: “I’m only recently making my way back into society after an extended period of homelessness and social isolation over the last few years. I am not connected enough, yet, to hold these types of conversations face-to-face, the way I have been able to online. I’ll say that the support I see being provided to neuroqueer earthlings in North America is far more extensive and holistic than here in South Africa, despite this country having the most progressive constitution on the planet.”
Tas: The evolution of awareness to acceptance seems to be changing. Although, I am not sure if it is changing for the better given the recent attacks on the autistic community. People often say, “well it used to be worse.” I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Looking back at your life growing up neurodivergent, do you think things are getting better for the community?
Dev: “I’m what people might call a third culture kid, so my initial exposure to disabilities was in Europe in the 1980s and 1990s. Then I moved to South Africa and I had zero awareness until my burnout in 2020, which revealed my own disability to myself. Most of the learning I’ve done has been US-centric and online. So, I want to say that acceptance has increased since I was a child, but it’s patchy. It’s not been a straight progression. And it’s not uniform. Depending on the socioeconomic status of the person I engage with, the awareness and acceptance vary.”
Tas: That is so true! Socioeconomic status, cultures, regions of the world and lived experiences impact what changes we see and what changes we push for. What advice would you give Gen Z and Gen Alpha about how they can fix the mistakes society has made around Neurodiversity and Disability acceptance?
Dev: “Be kind. Slow down. Learn to listen before acting. Be curious. Question everything you’re told, every piece of received knowledge until it rings true to you.”
Tas: Okay, now for the super intense show stopping question: what is your favorite TV series or movie? I know, I know, I am asking a really divisive question 🫠
Dev: “Honestly, most literary works by neuroqueer earthlings, especially of the global south – including my own work and yours. I’m also quite partial to zombie-themed series and films.”
Tas: As a TWD stan, I concur! Thank you so much for being here. All the links to follow Dev’s work and journey are below. Go check out their content and get a copy of their new book! You won’t be disappointed.
Kewbie Publishing
- Website: https://queerbaobab.com/kewbie-publishing/
- Instagram: @kewbie.publishing
- Blog: https://kewbiepublishing.wordpress.com/
Author Details: Dev Nyuki Moretti (aka DeNiM)
“Salt & Spite: An Alchemy of Liberation” is available through:
Tas: Before we sign off, is there anything else you would like to share?
Dev: “Thank you, Tas, for the incredible work you do in amplifying diverse voices. The literary world is richer because of platforms like yours.”
Outro
This is an ongoing series that will post 1-2 times per month. If you enjoyed this interview, please share!
If you are interested in being interviewed in this series, please reach out via my contact form. Please note: I am only accepting requests from disabled and neurodivergent adults. If you are a parent or caretaker, I cannot accept your interview request.