Equal pay for those with intellectual disabilities

October is Down Syndrome awareness month. Down syndrome remains the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States. Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the United States have Down syndrome, which is about 1 in every 700 babies. When those folks grow up, and go to get a job, federal law allows employers to pay employees with intellectual disabilities substantially less than the minimum wage -- in some cases as little as $1 an hour. Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows this. 14(c) was enshrined in FLSA in 1938 and, while understandable at a time little was known about people with disabilities, we know better now. Please amend the FLSA to require employers to pay no less than minimum wage to workers with disabilities! Several states have already passed laws requiring equal pay. Give people a chance to achieve dignity through meaningful work, for which they should be fairly compensated!

First sent on October 4, 2020 by Charla