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<i>Federationists:<br>
</i> <br>
On Wednesday, 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. <br>
<br>
Thanks for all of your work. Let’s get this done! <br>
<br>
Rose<br>
<br>
#######<br>
<br>
Dear Senator Durbin,<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
During the 1990s, the disability community fought really hard for
language that would <i>not </i>allow 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 <i>unlearn </i>the 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. <br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
Senator Durbin, 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. <br>
<br>
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you soon. If you
have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach me at
<a href="mailto:rsloan@nfb.org">rsloan@nfb.org</a>.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Rose Sloan<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Rose Sloan<br>
</b>Government Affairs Specialist<br>
<br>
“Eliminating Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities” <br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/fair-wages">http://www.nfb.org/fair-wages</a>
<br>
<br>
<b>National Federation of the Blind<br>
</b>200 East Wells Street <br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
<a href="mailto:rsloan@nfb.org">rsloan@nfb.org</a><br>
(410)-659-9314 ext 2441<br>
<b> <br>
</b>The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure
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 <a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a>.<br>
<br>
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