[Ct-nfb] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act

[Edward]

We do make a difference.
Thanks,
Edward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

 

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of Transitioning to
Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act

 

Urges Swift Passage of Legislation to Prevent Exploitation of Workers with
Disabilities

 

Baltimore, Maryland (January 7, 2015): The National Federation of the Blind
<http://www.nfb.org/> , the oldest and largest organization of blind
Americans, today applauded the introduction of the Transitioning to
Integrated and Meaningful Employment (TIME) Act of 2015 (H.R. 188) by
Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS). Congressman Harper introduced this
legislation to responsibly phase out the use of Special Wage Certificates
under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), thereby
facilitating the transitioning of people with disabilities now working in
sheltered, segregated employment, sometimes for pennies per hour, to
integrated employment positions paying competitive wages. 

 

Congressman Gregg Harper said: "Section 14(c) of the FLSA, enacted out of
ignorance regarding the true capacity of people with disabilities, currently
prevents over three-hundred thousand people with disabilities from gaining
access to the work and training environments that have been proven to be
more cost effective and to produce more competitive integrated work
outcomes. Segregated, subminimum-wage work is just an expression of low
expectations that instills a false sense of incapacity in individuals who
could become competitively employed with the proper training and support." 

 

Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"The National Federation of the Blind and our partners representing the 55
million Americans with disabilities fight every day to obtain the equality
and respect in the workplace that nondisabled citizens take for granted. We
applaud Congressman Harper for having the courage to confront over seventy
years of entrenched but false thinking about the capacity of people with
disabilities. We strongly urge his colleagues in both houses of the United
States Congress to exhibit the same courage by recognizing that it is time
to reject an antiquated and ineffective employment model for one that truly
values workers with disabilities."  

 

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About the National Federation of the Blind

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.