Disability Scoop features an article on the issue of Individuals with Disabilities receiving sub minimum wages and the recent executive order from President Obama mandating a pay hike so that all federal employees, disabled or not receive a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour. Read the article here: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/18/feds-comment-subminimum/19453/
There are strong opposing opinions on this issue. I'm finding that there aren't any easy answers and we are far from a resolution.
If an individual is performing a job the same as their non disabled counterpart, that person should be paid a fair and competitive wage along with equal benefits and opportunities for advancement. Many businesses have unfairly thrived because of their not paying fair wages to individuals with disabilities; individuals that produced goods and/or services equal or superior to their non disabled peers. This is a discriminatory practice that has exploited generations of disabled workers and by all means should immediately end but how are we to ensure this executive order is going to actually benefit people with disabilities?
Will those awarding the government contracts ensure that the companies that win the contracts employ people with disabilities? It is fine that there is a mandate to pay individuals with disabilities a fair and competitive wage, however if the federal contracts aren't awarded to companies that employ individuals with disabilities then nothing has been accomplished.
Will this mandate create an even larger unemployment rate among individuals with disabilities? Individuals currently serviced by sheltered workshops because they are unable to meet community employer productivity requirements are faced with the possibility of not having employment at all. The concern of many is that if sheltered workshops are completely phased out, what will become of those individuals that community employment simply isn't an option? Many argue that the sheltered workshops not only give individuals an opportunity to work, they give opportunities for socialization and skill building in a safe environment.
What about private employers;employers that don't contract with the federal government thereby not mandated by this executive order? There are plenty of businesses in the private sector that employ individuals with disabilities. How will we ensure that those individuals are being paid fairly and equally to those performing the same jobs?
It isn't a simple black and white issue. There are so many things to consider because there isn't any one answer that can apply to everyone. People are different as are their needs, abilities, and dreams. I believe while it is wonderful that the Obama administration is making strides to enact changes, that more conversation has to be had so that more varying plans of actions can be developed. The more options available, the better we as DD professionals will be able to assist individuals with disabilities in creating the lives that they want and deserve.
No comments:
Post a Comment