A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

I wouldn't try to get into. I'm in my 30s and age discrimination is real. Nobody wants to hire a 30 something entry level engineer. They dont even want 30 something mid-level engineers. I know because I have a disability that seems to have capped me at these levels, I'm about to be fired, and the job prospects look abysmal.

The hard part is proving it. They’ll say it’s culture fit, or there’s a more qualified candidate. Being fired for any reason other than the real reason gives them indemnification should you say otherwise.

Well, I have some stuff in writing that shows they violated the ADA at least twice. So a lawyer should be able to get a nice payout for me when they do fire me.

Just don’t sign any closing paperwork that would sign your rights away.

"I have only been ruined but twice in my life — once, when I lost a lawsuit, and once when I won one." — Voltaire

I’ve had exactly one job where I mentioned having a disability to HR and also one job where I got summarily fired for no apparent reason.

Keep your mouth shut about disabilities, and edit your resume so you look to be age 25-30. For interviews etc style yourself so you don’t look “old”.

Severance is basically just "we'll give you money if you sign this thing saying you won't sue us". If they give me enough, then sure I'll sign it.

I wear my grey with pride but I agree with you on the disability part.