[Colorado-talk] TODAY Contact Bennet and Udall!

[Jessica Beecham]

Hello Everyone!

Today, January 15, 2014 we need to tell our Senators that it is time to #FixWIA.  Below is the email I plan to send to my Senators.  I encourage you to use this letter as a template (or create your own) to inform your Senators about the problems with WIA.

Thanks for all of your work. Let's get this done!


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Dear Senator X,

I am writing to voice my concerns about S. 1356, the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  Although I know the reauthorization of WIA is overdue, I just cannot support the current bill as it is written.

During the 1990s, the disability community fought really hard for language that would notallow a vocational rehabilitation case to be closed by a placement in a sheltered workshop. The current bill language of Section 511, a controversial section among the disability community, will allow vocational rehabilitation counselors to successfully close cases by placing their clients in subminimum-wage sheltered workshops.  Subminimum-wage sheltered work does not come close to adequately training people with disabilities for mainstream competitive employment.  In fact, research shows that people with disabilities have to unlearnthe habits taught in sheltered workshops in order to get a mainstream job.  Ninety-five percent of people with disabilities who enter sheltered workshops never obtain the employment they are being "trained" for.  In other words, once a person with disability is placed in a sheltered workshop, their full potential is almost never reached.  They must remain on public assistance for the rest of their lives.

I am also concerned with the bill language moving the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor. There is no research that shows this move will improve the efficiency and outcomes of the RSA.  It is important to keep in mind that everyone needs an education before he/she obtains a job.  For many, this education comes in the form of college and/or graduate school.  For people with severe disabilities, this might mean having access to quality rehabilitation services to develop their unique skills and talents.  This process is an educational processRSA should stay in the Department of Education.

Senator X, I need your help.  Please consider offering an amendment that will strike Section 511 of Title V of WIA, and remove the language that transfers RSA from Education to Labor.

Thank you.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach me at (add your contact info).

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

These are e-mail addresses for staffers of both Senator Bennet and Udall.

Senator Udall

Stephanie_Cross at MarkUdall.senate.gov

Senator Bennet

Ellen_Steiner at bennet.senate.gov

Savannah_krieg at bennet.senate.gov