Underemployment for People with Disabilities, Sheltered Workshops, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act
Sheltered Workshops have become a controversial topic in recent years. Ongoing Olmstead litigation has shed light on the fact that far too many adults with developmental disabilities are employed at segregated workshops where they earn far less than minimum wage. While sheltered workshops were originally conceived of as a means of providing real-world job training for people with disabilities, the vast majority provide long-term employment in segregated environments and at subminimum wages, with little or no opportunity for advancement.
However, for many, sheltered workshops not only provide paid employment, but also serve as a day program. The complete elimination of sheltered workshops would increase the demand for day programs, and might even eliminate employment entirely for many people with disabilities. Nonetheless, the notion that sheltered workshops are “the only option” for people with disabilities is a myth that has been perpetuated for too long, and it is high time that people with disabilities be given the same opportunities and training – with supports if needed – that people without disabilities have.
A nationwide poll conducted by RespectAbility USA found that roughly 75% of working age adults (18-64) with disabilities would prefer to be gainfully employed and independent than to rely on government subsidies. However, the nationwide total unemployment rate for PWDs is 70%, compared to 28% for people without disabilities. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (S. 1356) would move adults with developmental disabilities away from sheltered workshops and towards gainful employment. The law would require working age adults 24 and younger to be paid no less than the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, and would move those currently unable, but desiring to pursue competitive work into vocational rehabilitation rather than sheltered workshops.
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits employee discrimination in any business that receives government dollars. NAM furthermore believes that – being that sheltered workshops receive federal and state funding – they should revise their structure to fulfill their Olmstead obligation and allow for the desegregation of people with disabilities in the workplace. An integrated sheltered workshop environment would not only end the segregation of people with disabilities, but would allow sheltered workshops to fulfill the original intention behind their development – to provide real-life work training and sharing of skills so that all may advance in the workforce.
Sources
Diament, M. (2014, June 26). Sheltered Workshop Eligibility May Soon Be Limited. Retrieved from DisabilityScoop.com: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/26/sheltered-eligibility-limited/19481/
Mizrahi, J. L., & Buren, M. (2014, April 21). America at Risk: Job Crisis for People with Disabilities – Views on Solutions from 3839 People on the Front Lines. Retrieved from RespectAbilityUSA.com: http://respectabilityusa.com/america-at-risk-job-crisis/?utm_source=WhatCounts+Publicaster+Edition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BREAKING+NEWS%3a+Senate+Votes+95-3+for+Jobs+for+People+with+Disabilities&utm_content=people+with+disabilities+want+to+work
National Disability Rights Network. (2011, January). Segregated & Exploited: A Call to Action! – The Failure of the Disability Service System to Provide Quality Work. Retrieved from DRNJ.org: http://www.ndrn.org/images/Documents/Resources/Publications/Reports/Segregated-and-Exploited.pdf
Sapong, E. (2014, April 26). Sheltered workshops fading away . Retrieved from The Buffalo News: http://www.buffalonews.com/business/sheltered-workshops-fading-away-20140426
United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. (2014, April 8). Olmstead: Community Integration for Everyone. Retrieved from ADA.gov: http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/index.htm