[Nfb-new-hampshire] Fw: [Chapter-presidents] National Federation of the Blind ApplaudsIntroduction of Fair Wages Legislation

[Ed Meskys]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lewis, Anil
To: Lewis, Anil
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 10:42 AM
Subject: [Chapter-presidents] National Federation of the Blind 
ApplaudsIntroduction of Fair Wages Legislation


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 Fair Wages Legislation



Urges Passage of Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act



Baltimore, Maryland (February 27, 2013): The National Federation of the 
Blind, the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans, 
today applauded the introduction of the Fair Wages for Workers with 
Disabilities Act of 2013 (H.R. 831) by Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS). 
Congressman Harper, along with eleven original co-sponsors, introduced the 
Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act of 2013 to repeal section 14(c) 
of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and to phase out the discriminatory 
practice of paying workers with disabilities pennies per hour.



Congressman Gregg Harper said: "Section 14(c) of the FLSA, enacted out of 
ignorance about the true capacity of people with disabilities, currently 
prevents over 300,000 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. 
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."



Dr. Marc Maurer, 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 
fundamental freedoms 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 our right to have 
the same workforce protections as every other American citizen."



The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure that blind 
children get an equal education, to connect blind veterans with the training 
and services they need, and to help seniors who are losing vision continue 
to live independent and fulfilling lives. To make a donation, please go to 
www.nfb.org.





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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.  We need your 
support.  To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org.









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