Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue Vision for the future of work and workplaces; the landscape over the next five to ten years

Can you imagine a day when each person who wishes to work has an employer and a job that can maximize their skills and preferences? Each of us has talents, sometime they are tapped and result in a great job match and sometimes they are not aligned correctly and lead to disappointment. Too often, there is no incentive to facilitate the achievement of a great job match, so the individual and the employer both lose. This... more »

I support phasing out the 14(c) certificate. At its inception, it served a valuable purpose, but is now hindering our country from fully supporting competitive integrated employment for all. All people, regardless of the significance of their disability, are capable of working in the community in real jobs for real wages with the right supports.

I recommend this document:
https://humanrights.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/media/The%20Great%20Debate_%20The%20Shift%20from%20Sheltered%20Workshops%20to%20Competitive%20Integrated%20Employment_1.pdf... more »

The workplace does not need to turn into a therapy session, it just needs to make more comfortable the worries and struggles respective to the individual.

 

If a disabled worker remains in counseling with their private providers, then they should be allowed to work and be made comfortable to do so.

Oftentimes the disclosure at the bottom of various paperwork states equal opportunities and truth of the matter is not everyone with disabilities are considered equal. Why ask about disabilities and say will accommodate when a person applies and there is no dialogue nor consideration whatsoever? Why offer telecommuting jobs to persons who work within the federal and/or private sector but a person who is equally qualified... more »

I support efforts to give people with disabilities jobs in the community. I think they should be paid fairly. i think we should offer job coaching and supports to help them be successful. i think we all tend to be self focused so if i have the ability to work or my clients have the ability to work, that is who i think of. If we serve people with severe and profound disabilities, limited mobility, poor attention to task... more »

I'm a firm believer that anyone, no matter their disability, is able to work when provided with the appropriate supports and services. I'm concerned that as long as section 14(c) waivers exist that employers will continue to assume that people with disabilities won't be valuable additions to their company. The waivers communicate that people with disabilities aren't "worth" as much as other workers. However, people... more »

It is my opinion that that the version of the FLSA passed in 1938 should not be eliminated resulting in lack of opportunity for public and private employers to obtain special certificates from the Department of Labor's Wage & Hour Division that allow them to compensate workers with significant disabilities at rates below the current federal minimum wage based on the based on the individual's level of measured productivity.... more »

Workplaces that have ADA Coordinators should be highly skilled, having at least a Masters degree in the mental health field, as well as strong experience.

I do not think therapy interventions should be done in the workplace, but rather the ADA Coordinator could ensure the disabled individual is in treatment with their own provider; and certify the ADA paperwork to make a comfortable setting for the disabled worker at... more »

According to a recent US Census report, the most common occupation for people with a disability is janitors and building cleaners, where about 300,000 workers with disabilities find employment. They make up 11 percent of workers in this occupation. In that same, March 21, 2019 Census Bureau analysis the median earnings for workers with a disability were about the same as for those workers without a disability. Still... more »

The fact is that the adult population with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities will continue to grow dramatically. Just a quick look at the growing prevalence by birth year among children and young adults makes this clear. If you believe that this increase is something like better diagnosis then you have to believe that the vast majority of disabled adults are not receiving services and somehow are already... more »

While the original intent of this law may have been to incentive employers to employee the differently abled, I think in this day and age there are plenty of alternatives that do not require us to reduce a pay scale based on abilities.

Unfortunately the states that have ended their 14(c) programs do not necessarily demonstrate a correlated increase in competitive, minimum-wage employment.

In Maine, two-thirds of former workshop participants are now unemployed. Those adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities that do have jobs work only an average of twelve hours a week, which is the lowest average in the country (https://docplayer.net/33593240-Transitions-a-case-study-of-the-conversion-from-sheltered-workshops-to-integrated-employment-in-maine.html).... more »

I am an employee of a non-profit organization who supports those of us who live with disabilities. I have a learning disability that made cognitive functionality extremely difficult growing up and even to this day. I also am being treated for high blood pressure which only adds to my difficulties. Getting through public school was a real life struggle and was compounded through college. One in my position tends to... more »

The living costs for people living with disabilities are no lower than they are for people living without disabilities. It is not only unfair but also unAmerican to pay one sector less than another sector when it comes to a minimum wage. Let's encourage those with disabilities to go to work and continue working by paying them fairly. This will improve their quality of life, allow them to be a contributing member of society,... more »

As an employee of a service provider and as an individual who believes in equal rights I do not see getting rid of 14c 100% as the answer. What I do think should happen is this:

I think that it is SO important for an individual to have the right to employment. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be able to go somewhere, make friends, earn money, and so much more. There are so many things to gain from employment, taking... more »