Micah Fowler, Barnegat Native, Pushes For Walmart Boycott

Walmart recently changed the job requirements for front-door greeters in a way that disproportionally affects people with disabilities. Micah Fowler, a Barnegat native and the star of ABC's Speechless, did not take it lightly.

Walmart changed the position's name to "customer host." The position requires employees to be able to lift 25 pounds, clean up spills, collect carts and stand for long periods of time — tasks that can be impossible for people with disabilities — according to NPR.

The position change enacts April 25, and several employees with disabilities share concerns that they'll be pushed out of the job, according to NPR.

"This is scary and sad and WRONG! Faithful employees who WANT to work forced out of their jobs. I hope this changes," tweeted Fowler, who has cerebral palsy. Fowler stars in the sitcom Speechless as JJ DiMeo, who uses a wheelchair and cannot speak.

The NPR story covers several complaints against Walmart with the Equal Rights Opportunity Commission, all from greeters with disabilities. Two cousins in Michigan filed a complaint in October that they lost their greet jobs last year, NPR reports.

A former employee in Wisconsin said she was forced into a worse-paying and more physically demanding job, according to NPR. A Texas employee says Walmart put her on an extended leave of absence since her job changed in mid-2017, NPR reports.

Walmart said they extended the 60-day transition period for associates with disabilities impacted by the change. The business will explore the circumstances and potential accommodations for each individual, according to a statement Thursday from CEO Greg Foran.

"Let me be clear: If any associate in this unique situation wants to continue working at Walmart, we should make every effort to make that happen," Moran said in a statement to all stores.

But Fowler wants more from Walmart, encouraging customers to speak with their money regarding greeters with disabilities who reportedly lost their jobs.

"As the largest silent minority in America it’s time for the disabled community to show its power with MONEY!" Fowler tweeted Sunday. "@Walmart understands money. I like shopping at Walmart, but their are other options."

Fowler, 20, has starred in "Speechless" since 2016. He also starred in the movie "Labor Day" in 2013 and had small roles on Blue's Clues (2005) and Sesame Street (2006).

The 20-year-old describes himself as a disability-rights advocate in his Twitter bio. As a huge fan of movies and television growing up, he told Entertainment Weekly in 2016 that he "couldn't help but notice the lack of characters dealing with disabilities."