[Nfbwv-talk] Legislative Alert: Make Your Voice Heard

[Smyth, Charlene R]

Dear NFBWV Members,

Please read the below messages from our national office and take action as requested.

Charlene Smyth
Legislative Director.

Howdy Fellow Federationists,

This is a friendly reminder to activate our members in the national online dialogue currently being conducted by the US Department of Labor regarding the use of 14(c) certificates. It is critical that all affiliates engage with this dialogue. Currently, supporters of sub minimum wage certificates are dominating the conversation. The below is an analysis conducted by Dr. Arielle Silverman on the comments currently received.

*92% of the 71 parent/family members who commented are in favor of special wages. So are 82% of the 39 disability service providers who commented (including people who work for agencies holding special wage certificates). But.... *82% of the 17 commenters who said they are actually-disabled themselves are opposed to special wages. So are all four of the community employers who commented, describing their inclusive hiring practices and the benefits of an integrated workplace. *Of the total codable comments so far, 45% came from family members but only 11% came from actually-disabled people.

Let's increase the number of disabled commenters opposed to the use of 14(c) certificates. See kimie's note below for more information.

Best,

Gabe

Gabe Cazares
Manager of Government Affairs
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, extension 2206 | gcazares at nfb.org<mailto:gcazares at nfb.org>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

From: NFB-Legislative-Directors [mailto:nfb-legislative-directors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eacobacci, Kimie via NFB-Legislative-Directors
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2019 9:13 AM
To: nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eacobacci, Kimie <KEacobacci at nfb.org<mailto:KEacobacci at nfb.org>>
Subject: [NFB-Legislative-Directors] Legislative Alert: the Department of Labor is seeking comments from advocates like you


Greetings Fellow Federationists:



This week the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced the opening of a National Online Dialogue about the use of subminimum wages. It is seeking ideas, experiences, and stories from advocates like you. This dialogue will continue until June 14. Please pass this information to your state affiliate and urge your members to submit comments.



The National Federation of the Blind opposes the use of subminimum wages for people with disabilities and our members have been active at the state and federal level. Our continued advocacy has already initiated a growing number of states to pass legislation or policies that prohibit the use subminimum wages. Likewise, the NFB supports the passage of the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (H.R. 873/S. 260), a federal piece of legislation calling for the phase out of subminimum wages over a six-year period.



Below is the announcement for the Department of Labor where you will find the link to submit your comments.



May 28, 2019



The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), through its ePolicyWorks initiative, is hosting this national online dialogue to gather perspectives on Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Please share your ideas, individual stories, and personal experiences illustrating the impact of Section 14(c) on the employment of people with disabilities. The goal of this online dialogue is to capture perspectives about Section 14(c) based on individual input from those "on the ground."  Information gleaned from the comments will then be summarized to provide ODEP an overview of Section 14(c) at the state and national levels.



The Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue

https://14cdialogue.ideascale.com/<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2f14cdialogue.ideascale.com%2f&c=E,1,4PF9slBskdtFpxmKp4qe0k4OamqtI3W3wKafqr8MTHROVe3sTWt_Eoj024z8mDW_NOv4xqbGqptSGNEV4ThjQfu0EhYMuAoew7i3aM0j&typo=1>


Sincerely,

Kimie Eacobacci
Government Affairs Specialist
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, extension 2441 | keacobacci at nfb.org<mailto:keacobacci at nfb.org>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.




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