May 21, 2019•Advocacy Matters
Listen to Advocacy Matters: Transformation to Competitive Employment
Disability Matters with Joyce Bender
May 21, 2019
#AdvocacyMatters
Transformation to Competitive Employment
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing on “Eliminating Barriers to Employment.”
One of Pennsylvania’s service providers, Achieva, located in Pittsburgh, testified this morning. Achieva is leading Pennsylvania in transitioning from sheltered workshop settings to competitive integrated employment.
Today’s hearing included employment issues related to youth, seniors and people with disabilities. The committee also address two bills that focused on the transformation of service providers from sheltered workshops to competitive integrated settings.
H.R. 873 and S. 260 are called the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act. The bills will expand opportunities for competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities while phasing out sub-minimum wage certificates under 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act over a six-year period.
The bills were introduced by Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott and Senator Bob Casey.
The legislation creates a competitive state grant program to help states transition 14(c) certificate holders to support competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.
The legislation creates a competitive grant program for 14(c) certificate holders in states that do not apply for the state grant competitive grant programs.
Immediately ends any new 14(c) certificates from being issued by the Department of Labor. Phases out existing 14(c) certificates over a six-year period until employees are paid the federal minimum wage.
Requires reporting and evaluation on the progress of these programs.
#AdvocacyMatters. Let’s work together and help all people with disabilities have the opportunity for competitive integrated employment and earn a minimum wage.
Visit www.disabilityrightspa.org to learn more about the hearing and the legislation that would move the country to competitive integrated employment and a federal minimum wage for all people with disabilities.
To take action to support this legislation, please click here.
Important Links:
Full Committee Hearing
“Eliminating Barriers to Employment: Opening doors to Opportunity.”
https://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/eliminating-barriers-to-employment-opening-doors-to-opportunity_
U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor Membership
https://edlabor.house.gov/about/membership
H.R. 873 – Transformation to Competitive Employment Act
Sponsor, Congressman Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA)
Fact Sheet on H.R. 873
S. 260 – Transformation to Competitive Employment
Sponsor, Senator Robert Casey, (D-PA)