Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue Search Ideas

Vermont's last sheltered workshop closed in 2002. The state of Vermont has since focused its energy and funds to community-based employment and services. The sub-minimum wage model is outdated and no longer needed when there are so many other options available. Vermont has vastly increased transition and post-secondary education options. Project Search serves high school transition students and prepares them for work.... more »

Programs to support people with disabilities must provide a full range of services from activities to Integrated Employment. Not all people are the same and programs must provide opportunities for all.
This range of service must include Day Programs that provide activities, Facilities that provide Sheltered Employment (Workshops), Supported Employment programs, opportunities for Integrated Employment, and the ability... more »

My son is 27 years old and we live in Trevose, PA. He attends BARC Developmental Services since 2012. He loves going to work. He feels productive and he has friends. Even on weekends, he wants to go. I am so upset at this terrible change they want to make. If my son could work in a "normal job" I would be the first to put him in that job. Not every person is able to work in main stream. It is hard enough to get... more »

Subminimum Wage Jobs Promote Harmful Stereotypes about People with Disabilities
For centuries, individuals with disabilities (especially those with I/DD) have experienced social and institutional discrimination as well as systematic and systemic oppression. In spite of the disability community's civil rights movement, social change efforts, and progress in state- and federal-level policies, many individuals with disabilities... more »

In our area we have a county that decided to no longer support 14c or group/sheltered programs. Those individuals were promised such wonderful services and options in their community. However, they receive fewer services, get picked up for what I would term van therapy to drive around their community since they have no $ to go anywhere or to spend, or they sit at home. Many of these individuals try moving over to our... more »

Subminimum Wage Jobs Deepen Overreliance on Government Programs, Social Services, and Paid Workforce
Supporting individuals with disabilities in transitioning from subminimum wage employment to competitive, integrated employment is critical in the effort to reduce overreliance on government programs, social services, and paid professionals.

Many Minnesotans with I/DD find themselves stuck in the cycle of poverty, unemployment,... more »

Subminimum Wage Jobs Contribute to Risk Factors for Sexual Violence

Studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between poverty and the risk of experiencing sexual violence during an individual's lifetime³. This is of particular significance for members of disability community, whose rates of poverty exceed others in the general population (as demonstrated above), and who experience sexual violence at a rate seven... more »

The 2017 Disability Statistics Annual Report from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research included staggering statistics regarding the prevalence of poverty and unemployment among people with disabilities. Their research demonstrated that:
- 35.9% of people with disabilities ages 18-64 living in the community were employed. The employment percentage was more than double for... more »

Founded by parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in 1946, The Arc Minnesota is a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes and protects the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting them and their families in a lifetime of full inclusion and participation in their communities.

A fundamental component of those tenants of... more »

Many disabled will be unable to find any employment in the absence of 14(c). It is unrealistic to think that all levels of disabled individuals would or could be employed in the general workforce at minimum wage. 14(c) allows all disabled to be employed, no matter the severity of their disabilities. Eliminating 14(c) would be a great disservice to all those that can now go to work regularly, enjoy friends and receive... more »

14(c) provides choice and opportunities for those individuals who cannot meet the job requirements and performance required in the general workforce. 14(c) programs allows disabled folks a chance learn, work and improve skills and abilities. 14(c) is a great tool and must be kept in force.

A buzz phrase in society today is the "right to choose." Rarely is someone content to have only one option for any choice that has to be made; some would argue that having one option is unfair or even an unmitigated monopoly (think about our cable or internet providers…). Eliminating the option of a production workshop is eliminating a well-deserved choice. There are many individuals with disabilities for whom working... more »

I have never had a job where the sole criteria for my rate of pay was how fast I work, and I am certainly not alone. For most jobs that is not the criteria for rate of pay. Yes, why is it acceptable to pay people with disabilities based solely on how fast they work, often in jobs that are a poor match for their skills and abilities? While I am an advocate for employment of people with disabilities, I have also been a... more »

Kentucky Protection and Advocacy (P&A) is an independent state agency that promotes and advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. Two advisory boards, the PADD Board and the PAIMI Council, primarily made up of persons with disabilities and their family members guide us.
Sheltered workshops, created by Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, are rooted in societal... 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 »