Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue Search Ideas

My daughter lives and works at the Baddour Center in Senatobia, MS. She is high functioning with Asperger Syndrome. Her employment on campus pays her minimum wage, but most of the residents there are not capable of "working in the community" even with support. Therefore, I am not in favor of repealing 14(C).

A physical handicap is one that can be overcome through environmental and job task adaptations. These individuals should get minimum wage because of adaptations that can and should be made. A cognitive disability is one where the thought processes and/or intellectual abilities are limited. Intellectual disabilities may be mental retardation, autism, chronic mental illness and other conditions. These individuals are... more »

It is time to do away with the antiquated and unfair model of compensation for disabled workers outlined under 14C. Disabled workers deserve to be paid the same minimum wage as all other workers. Disabled people at minimum have the same living expenses as other workers and often have greater expenses due to their disabilities and the extra expenses they incur because of those disabilities. Disabled workers must be fairly... more »

While reading through some of the responses listed regarding the need to keep 14(c) I am saddened to see that most responses come from family members of those with Development Disabilities. While I understand how these sheltered workshops may help provide a more productive environment than Dayhabs, society should constantly be seeking to prevent segregation and promote inclusion.

We need to push for all workers regardless... more »

I have worked in many sheltered employment facilities both in Rhode Island and in North Carolina, and not once were any of them nothing but a great family and team environment involving everyone pitching in and getting important jobs done for local businesses. Why does the sheltered workshop have to disappear? There is room enough for this type of service along with Supported Employment and transition into the community.... more »

As a friend of a family with A special needs child I find it absolutely deplorable that this is allowed to go on in the year 2019. Paying individuals with disabilities sub-par wages is not only discriminatory, but yet another example of blatant exploitation, and a sad commentary on what our society thinks is acceptable. Additionally, segregating people with disabilities in the workplace is completely archaic and unacceptable,... more »

I am blind, and I'm horrified of the idea of being paid less than minimum wage. No one, regardless of disability, deserves to be paid less than the minimum wage.

When every other discussion in this country is on the insufficiency of the minimum wage to provide a living wage, it is unconscionable to allow a group of people who experiences high medical bills, high costs related to our disabilities to be paid subminimum wage. How are disabled people to achieve independence or start families if we are paid a pittance? It's not an "anything is better than nothing" dilemma. It's a deliberate... more »

The National Council on Disability states that over 228,000 adults currently work for subminimum wages (https://ncd.gov/newsroom/2017/disability-poverty-connection-2017-progress-report-release).
An earlier report completed by the US Department of Education found that young adults with intellectual disabilities worked an average of 27.6 hours per week (Newman, Wagner, Knokey, etc. 2011)

A more recent study found that... more »

I am the sister in law of S. He attends Vallonia Industries every day. Vallonia Industries is an adult workshop that provides life to S. He has a regular job that he works everyday. This job gives him purpose . There are many individuals who need this wonderful facility. S. has the mentality of a 10 year old , but with the help of this wonderful Lifeskills workshop, he is able to function and work diligently. Please do... more »

by closing work center it will eliminate the most important aspect of consumers choices staying where they are.

I have worked in behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 20 years and while I respect people's choices I have never met a person who had real options provided with multiple experiences that matched their skills, interests and talents that are working in segregated, sub-minimum wage settings. I have been involved in multiple instances where people were not getting opportunities to make... more »

You're going to hear from a lot of people that defend 14c and want to keep it available as an option to ensure continued work opportunities, and you will also hear from a lot of people that say 14c is exploitative and everybody deserves minimum wage. How do you figure out what's right? Here's my experience - I've worked at a DD provider for 34 years, as CEO for the last twelve years. I'm also a CPA, so I understand... more »

In observing and speaking with differently abled people and their families, some do not feel safe out in the community or having their family member left to fend for themselves in an environment that doesn't understand their needs. The choice should be theirs and theirs alone to make. Wage differentiation allows them to have work they otherwise wouldn't get hired for and have a level of self worth to earn and spend their... 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 »