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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><h1>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b>CONTACT:</b> <br>Chris Danielsen<br>Director of Public Relations<br>National Federation of the Blind<br>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><b>Party Platforms Call for End to Subminimum Wage<br><br><i>National Federation of the Blind Urges Passage of TIME Act</i><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b>Baltimore, Maryland (July 26, 2016)</b>: The National Federation of the Blind today applauded language in the platforms of both major political parties that calls for the end of the payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities.<br><br>Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind has advocated for the elimination of the subminimum wage since our founding, and the recognition of this issue by leaders of both political parties further confirms that the time has long passed to eliminate the unfair and separate wage system for people with disabilities. We applaud the statements of both Democratic and Republican delegates, and urge members of Congress to follow those statements with the actions required to pass the Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act as soon as possible when Congress resumes its session."<br><br>The Democratic Party platform states in pertinent part: "We … support … ending the sub-minimum wage for … people with disabilities." The Republican Party platform states in pertinent part: "Our TIME Act (Transition[ing] to Integrated and Meaningful Employment) will modernize the Fair Labor Standards Act to encourage competitive employment for persons with disabilities. … We endorse efforts like Employment First that replace dependency with jobs in the mainstream of the American workforce."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><b>###<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br></b>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<br><br>For more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please visit: <a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=5587&qid=1336671">www.nfb.org</a><u>. <br></u>National Federation of the Blind<br>200 East Wells Street<br>at Jernigan Place<br>Baltimore, MD 21230<br>United States<br>(410) 659-9314 <span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>