[nabs-l] Press Release: NFB Commends President Obama for Executive Order on Wages

[Rose Sloan]

*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.rg




*National Federation of the Blind Commends President Obama for Executive
Order on Wages*



*Order Ensures Economic Mobility for Federal Contract Employees with
Disabilities*



*Baltimore, Maryland (February 12, 2014):* The National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) <http://www.nfb.org/> commented today on President Obama's
executive order requiring a wage floor of $10.10 for individuals employed
under all new federal contracts, including workers with disabilities who
are currently excluded from minimum wage protections under special
certificate programs.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the
Blind<http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind>,
said: "President Obama's courageous action today is a tremendous victory
for federal contract workers with disabilities, and we wholeheartedly
applaud the spectacular step forward that this new executive order
represents.  The National Federation of the Blind commends President Obama
for recognizing the value of workers with disabilities and ensuring that
these workers can take advantage of the same opportunity for economic
mobility as their nondisabled co-workers.  We urge Congress to finish the
work that President Obama has begun by passing the Fair Wages for Workers
with Disabilities Act (H.R. 831) <https://nfb.org/fair-wages> to ensure
that all workers with disabilities, not just those working under federal
contracts, will no longer be subjected to the antiquated and discriminatory
practice of being paid less than the federal minimum wage."





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*About the National Federation of the Blind*


The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most
influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and
equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative education, technology,
and training programs to provide the blind and those who are losing vision
with the tools they need to become independent and successful.