[Nfb-hi] The Future of Subminimum Wages in Hawaii

[Desi McKenzie]

Justin,

This is devastating news however...

Your efforts on behalf of so many here in Hawai'i has been extraordinary and is appreciated so very much more than can be adequately expressed.

Your tireless advocacy is an example for so many others here who must mirror the same passion and fortitude to achieve what now seems possible and probable--as more and more people learn the truth about employers who are still paying subminimum wages and those who enable them to do so.

Time for creative, grassroots approach to educating the people of Hawai'i about the reality of these employers.

As you know we experienced undeniable retaliation as a result of our advocacy--but we will not give up the good fight.

IMUA! Go forward with strength and might--with persistence for all that is pono for people with disabilities!

Mahalo Justin!
Desi and Aubrey


Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 27, 2018, at 11:46 PM, Justin Salisbury <PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu> wrote:
> 
> Aloha, my Federation Ohana,
>  
> Our bill to end the payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities in Hawaii has died.
>  
> We made a lot of progress in educating members of the Hawaii State Legislature about this issue, and we have built many alliances across our state. It will not be difficult to get this bill reintroduced next year, but, if we intend to succeed next year, it will be up to us to participate more actively. A few legislative offices offered to me this evening to help us, in the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, train more advocates with the ability to talk to legislative offices because they want to see us succeed. This sounds like a great idea to me, and I would love to start doing some legislative trainings. If more members want to become more comfortable with the process, we can become more effective as a movement.
>  
> For now, we, the blind, can still be paid subminimum wages. The predatory employers can still exploit workers with disabilities while marketing their practice as charitable socialization and remedial job training.
>  
> Even though we did not get any bills passed this year, we still made some progress. I am proud to be a member of the National Federation of the Blind.
>  
> Mahalo nui loa,
>  
> Justin
>  
> Justin M. Salisbury, MA, NOMC, NCRTB, NCUEB
> Legislative Committee Chair
> Honolulu Chapter
> National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii
> Phone: 808.797.8606
> Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu
> LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-salisbury  
>  
> “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.”
>  
> Cesar Chavez
>  
>