Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue Search Ideas

A relic from the Great Depression and largely unchanged since 1938, 14(c) belonged to the world in which goods were produced in a factory with much simpler technology. Those days a worker's productivity, a simple measurement of output during a finite time period, was the primary factor employers used to determine his/her wage.

In the twenty-first century, a worker's contribution to his/her employer or workplace is multi-dimensional;... more »

I believe that Section 14(c) is a disservice to individuals with disabilities and it should be eliminated or at least amended to require equal pay that other workers receive. These individuals should be paid equitable wages just like any other employed worker. I am a family member of multiple individuals who have constantly been faced with challenges of not being able to show what they are capable of accomplishing.... more »

I'm really disheartened to see all of the comments about how evil 14C is from people who have no skin in the game. It's easy to sit there and say everyone should be paid equally when you don't have a severe disability, or a family member with one, or own your own business that provides lots of jobs at equal pay for people with severe disabilities.

My brother has a 1st grade reading level, poor eye-hand coordination,... more »

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 »

Section 14(c) is an open door for many in the community. I work for a CRP that strives to create jobs for adults with disabilities in our community. Many of our clients struggle to find robust, sustainable, and fulfilling work within the community at minimum wage. The jobs that are available for many of them only have enough work for a few hours a week, for a short period of time, or are not a good fit for the clients... more »

I am the mother of an almost 12 year old daughter with Down syndrome. I often engage in advocacy on her behalf, while making sure she is prepared to take over when she asks me to step aside. I think about her future a lot, and almost everything I'm fighting for now is because I want her to have a meaningful, self-directed adult life.

Though I've been successful in getting our school system to keep her in the general... more »

The Center for Disability Rights supports legislation that would disallow disabled people employed by "charitable" organizations from being paid a subminimum wage. Below is our legislative policy statement on the issue:

End Subminimum Wages for New Yorkers with Disabilities A7077 (Steck)/ S4018 (Skoufis)
Federal law allows organizations holding Department of Labor 14(c) certificates to pay workers with disabilities pennies... more »

I've noted that the vast list of subminimum wage certificate holders in New York has largely if not completely requested renewed certificates. I find it troubling that these organizations, which "employ" hundreds of people with disabilities across the State are not making plans to transition voluntarily into paying at least the same minimum wage paid to nondisabled people. While I'd like to see legislation move forward... more »

Skookum supports minimum wage protections for all workers, including those workers who have disabilities. Skookum is a nonprofit employing over 1200 people with diverse abilities. All Skookum employees are paid prevailing wages with full benefits. Many have come from jobs that paid sub-minimum wages and they are now in living wage career jobs with potential for advancement within or external to Skookum. We are committed... more »

I have a brother with a developmental disability and mental illness. I have also worked as a job coach and job developer for adults with disabilities. My brother needs entry level work, as do many other people with an intellectual disability. With minimum wage increasing, employers will expect more and more from employees, and some will turn to automation to reduce labor costs.
Entry level jobs will come with more expectations... more »

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments through the 14(c) National Online Dialogue. The Disability Law Center ("DLC") is Utah's designated Protection & Advocacy ("P&A") Agency – part of a nationwide network of Protection and Advocacy Agencies that work to protect the legal rights of people with disabilities.

As the P&A for the State of Utah, we have played an integral role in the implementation of the Home... more »

Years ago, when I was working in post acute brain injury rehab, I sometimes accompanied clients to vocational rehabilitation appointments. I was employed as a therapist through Goodwill Industries, there were job developers available through Goodwill Industries, and those of us who cared about our clients would never encourage them to use our job developers if they wanted to work anywhere other than Goodwill Industries.... 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 »

I work for a CRP that offers a full range of employment services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Section 14(c) is one of our options that can provide employment opportunities for those with the most significant disabilities. Let's not reduce an individual's options for choice. Each individual is unique and all types of opportunities for work should be available for their... more »