Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue Search Ideas

Federal Government Should not be involved in peoples Choice for work who have disabilities. In some communities there are employers who will not or not able to hire a person with a disability. We have experienced this.

I am a guardian AND an employment specialist that job coaches those that are READY and CHOOSE to move on to "integrated" employment .... you say that 14 c is unjust??? If a fellow job coach was paid the same wage as me... but did not have the abilities to support what we do... I would never say... they shouldn't be allowed to do the job... I would welcome their input... and hopefully we would both get paid according... more »

Description of Idea

I have a 38 year old son with ID who has been happily employed in a prevocational program for many years. He looks forward to going not only to be productive, earn a pay check but to be with his friends who he likes to socialize with during his breaks. He is happy and would be devastated if he lost his CHOICE to attend. My son is NOT able to be employed in the community due to chronic medical and behavioral issues. He... more »

There needs to be some kind of medium where those who want to, and can, participate at a higher level in the community, should be able to. At the same time, those who don't want to, or won't be able to, should have a choice to maintain a lifestyle which is rewarding to them and one which provides them life, liberty and pursuit of their happiness, not anyone else's just because THEY themselves feel the pay is unfair. My... more »

For purposes of this conversation, the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities would like to flag an article published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation in 2017. The full citation is included below. The article reviews a qualitative study of a workshop transition program in upstate New York. Ten people who had been in a sheltered workshop participated in a 12 month transition to work program (Project SEARCH)... more »

As an A-team member and parent of a child with developmental disabilities, I believe that taking away the 14C wage certificate is taking away my child's right to work.
My son works at Marva Workshop which has been a blessing to him and to our family. We were concerned what our son would be able to do once he graduated from high school. Working in the public was not an option and we did not want him to become couch potato.... more »

I live in Yuba City with my family. I have ADHD and if I didn't have this workshop to come to work everyday. I would be at home bored. I have met some really good friends here including my staff. I don't think it's right that they want to take minimum wage away. We work on boxes when we get them. I like working with staff doing janitorial and going out in the community. If I didn't have this workshop I wouldn't have... more »

It goes without saying that the competitive employment earning at least minimum wage is, and should be, the primary goal for organizations seeking to assist people with disabilities to work. It also is very true that individuals may need to be assisted in finding the right type of work to meet their abilities, limitations, interests and skills, and that they need to be provided the opportunity to receive information... more »

Inroads to Opportunity must remain an option. This facility, and those like it, are an important part of the structure of support for people with a wide variety of disabilities. I, for one, live with schizo affective disorder. Just facing the day can be an ordeal. I live with the voices I hear in my head. They are constant companions and strong, sometimes harsh, teachers. They are comfort in time of trouble. Medication... more »

Over the past three years Disability Rights New York (DRNY) has interviewed hundreds of individuals who work tirelessly day after day and are paid far less money, compared to minimum wage earners. Some earn as little as a $1.00 for an entire week of work. The people we met with told us time and time again that they wanted jobs in the community. They wanted to earn more money, just like everyone else in the workforce.... more »

Our organization has existed for 60 years in a small rural area, and has had a 14c certificate for many years. We provide work, residential, case management, and other services to help people be independent in our community. The people attending our programs have some combination of I/DD, behavioral health, and physical situation. Individual capabilities range from people who drive their own car and may need a little... more »

The following feedback is submitted on behalf of Inroads to Opportunities Program Participants.
501 (c) 3 with a 14 c certificate located in Roselle, NJ.

S.: I have been working for 22 years in sheltered employment. In 2016 I felt ready to pursue outside employment and I got a job at Walgreens. This was because the employment team encouraged me that I could do it. I didn't believe that I was ready for many years.... more »

The 14(c) is a key tool support Individuals with Disabilities. I have worked in the field of Developmental Disabilities for over 28 years. I believe strongly that there is a need for an array of services for everyone. The 14(C) is a key tool that permits individuals with DD to earn an income while learning skills to become competitively employed. Employment is not a one size fits all proposition. There is a huge... more »

I have worked with individuals with intellectual and developmental differences since the 1970's in a number of settings, including community inclusion and now a sheltered workshop. In our program we serve 106 individuals with significant challenges. Some have physical, sensory, medical or mental health challenges in addition to intellectual. Most cannot read or count, and some cannot communicate verbally. Some of... more »