[Njabs-talk] Former New York Governor David Paterson Comments on Subminimum Wages for Disabled Workers

[EVELYN E. VALDEZ]

Former New York Governor David Paterson Comments
on Subminimum Wages for Disabled Workers


New York City, New York (July 25, 2011): In advance of planned
protests by the National Federation of the Blind against the payment
of subminimum wages to people with disabilities and the proposed
Workforce Investment Act, Former New York State Governor David A.
Paterson, a member of and consultant to the National Federation of the
Blind, said: "On the eve of the twenty-first anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, it is more than appropriate that we
call for the language that would reauthorize the practice of paying
subminimum wages to Americans with disabilities to be stricken from
the Workforce Investment Act.  We have progressed so far as a nation
since 1938, when the original Fair Labor Standards Act denied people
with disabilities the workforce protection of a federal minimum wage.
Today, we recognize our neighbors' different religions, different
ethnicities, and different backgrounds and embrace the fact that these
differences don't justify discrimination.  On August 3, when this
legislation is scheduled to be considered by the members of the Senate
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, they should strike
the language from the bill that discriminates against Americans with
disabilities and ensure that there is equal pay for equal work."



The National Federation of the Blind has announced that its members,
along with other organizations of Americans with disabilities, will be
conducting informational protests across the United States to raise
awareness about the practice of paying wages below the federal minimum
wage to disabled workers.  The protests will take place on July 26,
the twenty-first anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act,
at the primary district office locations of United States senators
serving on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions (the HELP Committee).



On August 3, the HELP committee is scheduled to vote on the Workforce
Investment Act.  Title V, Section 511 contains language reauthorizing
the payment of wages below the federal minimum wage to people with
disabilities.



For more information on the National Federation of the Blind and fair
wages for workers with disabilities, please visit www.nfb.org.