[Ohio-Talk] Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act

[Ali Benmerzouga]

Done! 
Happy Holidays Season!
Take care.
AB


-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2023 5:44 PM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Announcement List' <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Richard Payne <rchpay7 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Ohio-Talk] Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act


Dear membership:

The NFB has always advocated for the faze out and elimination of   sub
minimum wages for blind people  . We have been part of a coalition to get this done in our state, and your help is needed. I am asking that each of you read the attached file, or keep reading in the body of this message, and send your name to be added to the letter of support.  Chapters, Divisions, and individual members should do this after reading my email.

You may send your email directly to:
ohapse at apse.org

When you send your email provide your name, Division or Chapter with this example "National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Middleburg Heights Chapter" or "National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Candy Division". 

Here is the letter that is documented to be sent with your name of support.
December 20, 2023

Dear Representative Jarrells,

As advocates in the disability and employment communities, we, the undersigned, support moving the 

Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act forward to eliminate 

subminimum wage in the state of Ohio. 

Subminimum wage perpetuates an unjust system that undermines the inherent worth and dignity of people 

with disabilities. By accepting subminimum wage as the norm, Ohio continues to explicitly devalue the 

potential contributions and abilities of all workers with disabilities. This is not the Employment First society 

that we strive to be in Ohio. It is disheartening that our current system perpetuates a wage structure that 

devalues the work and limits the economic opportunities for people with disabilities. 

In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), employers in Ohio can obtain a 14(c) certificate that 

authorizes the payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities under the provision of the Fair 

Labor Standards Act of 1938. Ohio is one of the top 10 states in utilization of 14c certificates to pay 

workers with disabilities a subminimum wage. 

In Ohio, around 3500 workers with disabilities are currently being paid wages below the minimum wage. 

Shockingly, some of them have reported earning as little as $0.42 per hour for 40 hours of labor. This 

glaring disparity in compensation underscores the pressing need to confront the issue of subminimum 

wages and ensure equitable remuneration for every worker, irrespective of their disabilities. Importantly, 

the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) strictly prohibits discrimination based on disability. The ADA 

places great emphasis on fostering equal employment opportunities and access for all workers, with the 

goal of eradicating discriminatory practices and wage disparities. 

The historic budget provisions for home and community-based care provide the framework for ensuring 

community living and access to integrated competitive work. Allowing 14(c) certificates now violates the 

holding in Olmstead and the federal and state guidance that was instituted to ensure access to home and 

community-based living. Individuals with lived experience in segregated programs fostered by the 14 (c) 

provision urge that it is time to begin the process of legally fading out subminimum wage for all workers 

with disabilities. By amending the Ohio Revised Code, we can align our state with this movement across 

the country and demonstrate Ohio's commitment to upholding the Olmstead Act and the rights and well being of workers with disabilities.

We ask that you and our elected officials put an end to this outdated and discriminatory practice. We 

request that you introduce the bill immediately, initiate the legislative process, and provide people with 

disabilities and the disability service communities the opportunity to testify and share their lived 

experiences. 

Sincerely,

Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com
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.


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Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act


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