Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue Experiences transitioning from the use of Section 14(c) certificates

Here's my story. I have autism. When I was first looking for a job, people told me I could only do volunteer work. When doctors and teachers have such low expectations of you, it leads to depression. It all changed when I moved upnorth when my confidence went completely up with a job at Nicolet college. I started to feel like I wasn't my disability and I was in a supportive environment. I could really see the... more »

14c certificates are not creating real work opportunities for disabled workers. As a sibling of a person with Intellectual Disability and advocate, I have seen firsthand how disabled workers are shortchanged by providers with 14c certificates. There is little creativity for supporting disabled workers to build their skill set and I have yet to see a provider that aims to get disabled workers to GRADUATE with skills from... more »

Lori is one of the named plaintiffs in the Lane v. Brown case. Lori worked in a sheltered workshop with "a bunch of other people" where she made $2.34 an hour the month before the lawsuit was filed. Lori used Vocational Rehabilitation services, including Job Development and Job Coaching to get a community job that she loves.

Disability Rights Oregon interviewed her on June 17, 2019 about her experience in community... more »

In my experience of working with transition age youth and young adults, because of the limits the WIOA regulations have implemented to mitigate sheltered work being a primary experience, educators, indivividuals and families are realizing what is possible. It is important to provide wrap around supports if a person is not able to work 30-40 hours per week, this is often why individuals and families want these segregated... more »

RootedinRights' BottomDollarsMovie clearly shows that people with significant disabilities can obtain competitive integrated employment at real wages if given options to do so. This should be the goal of our employment programs. Employment first needs to be more than a paper concept; it needs to be the ideal standard that guides the use of federal and state dollars consistent with the ADA, non-discrimination in service... more »

WITHOUT A WORK OPPORTUNITY THEY ARE MISSING A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF WHAT MOST PEOPLE EXPERIANCE EVERYDAY WORKING. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS HAVING RESPONSIBLITY THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE THIS AS A CHOICE IN THEIR LIFES. NOT TO MENTION THE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.

The number of 14 ©️ certificates has declined over the years, especially following the Henry's turkey farm debacle. In that situation a provider organization took advantage of men with development disabilities and exploited them financially while putting money in their own pockets. Agencies need to rethink their business model to come into compliance with federal policies around full inclusion, integration... more »

I HAVE NUMEROUS PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW THAT WHEN THERE PROGRAM DID NOT CONTINUE TO GET 14(C) CERTIFICATES MAJORITY OF CLIENTS NO LONGER PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW PROGRAMS THAT WERE DEVELOPED AND STAYED HOME. THERE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE RESTRICTIED BECAUSE 14(C) PAY IS NOT ALWAYS A LOT IT GIVES THEM TO OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SPENDING MONEY OF THEIR OWN TO GO OUT WITH FRIENDS, GO TO MOVIE, GO SHOPPING. WHAT A LOSS THIS WOULD BE.... more »

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the National Online Dialogue on Section 14©️ of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

I speak about this issue from two vantage points: One, as the President of the National Organization on Disability (NOD), which has advocated since 1982 for the full participation of all Americans with Disabilities in all aspects of life. And perhaps more relevant to this dialogue, I... more »

I work as an employment advocate for people with disabilities in Maine. Maine has been successful in phasing out the use of subminimum wage certificates over several years, leading to more people with disabilities gaining actual employment skills, experience, training, and opportunities. While 14c was still in use here, I remember several individuals who talked with me about their frustration with subminimum wage jobs.... more »

The number of 14 (c) certificates has declined over the years, especially following the Henry's turkey farm debacle. In that situation a provider organization took advantage of men with development disabilities and exploited them financially while putting money in their own pockets. Agencies need to rethink their business model to come into compliance with federal policies around full inclusion, integration and economic... more »

Maine Department of Health and Human Services developed its first Vocational Policy in 2000 that stated a requirement for service providers to move toward integrated, community-based employment at or above minimum wage. This policy provided guidance and opportunities for people in sheltered workshops to receive support and assistance to move toward supported employment. During the next 8 years the Developmental Services... more »

People on the Go of Maryland eliminated 14C in the state! A state working together to make change happen for people with disabilities

People On the Go of Maryland (POG) is the state-wide self-advocacy organization. We have been in existence for 30 years. POG feels sheltered workshops are outdated and paying people sub-minimum wage infringes on a person's civil rights. We feel the rest of the country should eliminate... more »

It must be recognized that many of the Community Rehabilitation Programs that have a 14(c) workshop are serving an aging population. Most of their clientele are over 50 and many are in their 60's, 70's and even 80's. Many of these same individuals, at one time, lived in institutions. If an agency closes it's 14(c) workshop the individuals that will be impacted the most and lose their jobs, will be those who are aging.... more »

• Eliminating 14c removes the opportunity for paid work to individuals currently receiving prevocational services. Therefore, all prevocational training would become simulated work and soft skill development. We observe actual skill development to occur within paid work environments.