[NFBofSC] Education Department Launches Historic Real Pay for Real Jobs Initiative for People with Disabilities - U.S. Department of Education - MARCH 18, 2022

[Steve Cook]

Education Department Launches Historic Real Pay for Real Jobs Initiative for
People with Disabilities Press Office U.S. Department of Education MARCH 18,
2022

States eligible to compete for Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated
Employment Grants totaling $167 million Today, the U.S. Department of
Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) released the notice
inviting applications for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated
Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project, aimed at increasing access for
people with disabilities to jobs that pay good wages.
The SWTCIE project is the largest discretionary grant administered by RSA,
with $167 million available to State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and
their partners.
"Economic security should be available to all Americans," said U.S.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "Providing individuals with
disabilities with a high-quality education and the services that they need
to thrive will result in real pay for real jobs, empowering them and leading
to greater social and economic inclusion."
SWTCIE is a step toward ending practices that have allowed some employers to
pay less than the federal minimum wage to people with disabilities. The new
grant program will sponsor innovative approaches that allow people with
disabilities to successfully secure jobs working alongside their
non-disabled peers while earning the same pay.
"More than 30 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities
Act, far too many people with disabilities continue to be denied equal
opportunity," said U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott of Virginia, chairman
of the House Committee on Education and Labor. "The subminimum wage for
workers with disabilities is a relic of a time when people with disabilities
were viewed as unable to work and lacked federal protections. It is long
past time that we help phase out the subminimum wage for people with
disabilities and expand access to fulfilling employment and economic
self-sufficiency. We must continue working to ensure every American can
succeed and earn a fair wage."
To help eliminate subminimum wage employment, this competition will award
grants to as many as 18 State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their
partners that will create employment opportunities for individuals with
disabilities. The jobs will be in critical need areas, including home and
community-based services, the arts, or transportation and related
industries. In addition, applicants may submit proposals in other areas that
will transition individuals from subminimum wage employment to competitive
integrated employment.
"Some workers with disabilities spend decades earning a subminimum wage
without the opportunity to gain new skills or move to a job that pays a
higher wage. Today, the Department of Education took an important step to
end this discriminatory practice," said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.
"I applaud Secretary Cardona for his leadership and I will keep fighting to
ensure all workers with disabilities are paid at least minimum wage and have
the opportunity to succeed in the workplace."
The SWTCIE project advances a key Biden-Harris Administration goal -
strengthening the economic security of Americans with disabilities. This
funding opportunity aligns existing and emerging employment opportunities
with the needs of employers and the public infrastructure. Most notably,
activities will ensure people with disabilities are earning real pay for
real jobs.
The Department's Rehabilitation Services Administration web page provides
additional information about vocational rehabilitation opportunities for
people with disabilities.
The Notice Inviting Applications is available for public inspection at the
Federal Register. The Federal Register will publish the official version of
the notice on Monday, March 21. The deadline for submissions is June 21,
2022.