Warren would end 'subminimum' wage in plan to aid disabled U.S. workers

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS JANUARY 2, 2020 / 11:04 AM / UPDATED 7 HOURS AGO

Warren would end 'subminimum' wage in plan to aid disabled U.S. workers

Amanda Becker
3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House hopeful Elizabeth Warren said on Thursday that raising the minimum hourly wage to $15 and ending a program that allow employers to pay disabled workers much less than the minimum would be among steps she would take to ensure financial security for individuals with disabilities.

Warren, a U.S. senator from Massachusetts and one of 14 candidates vying for the Democratic Party’s nomination to take on President Donald Trump in November 2020, detailed the proposals as part of a larger plan to protect individuals with disabilities.

“Though we have made significant progress for the 61 million Americans living with disabilities, we have a lot of ground left to cover,” Warren wrote on the online publishing platform Medium. She noted that 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a law protecting disabled individuals from discrimination.

Tom Harkin, former Democratic U.S. senator from Iowa and original sponsor of the ADA, consulted with Warren’s campaign as it developed the proposals.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-warren/warren-would-end-subminimum-wage-in-plan-to-aid-disabled-u-s-workers-idUSKBN1Z115C

[Doreen]

1. I know where I live there is a group that helps

Disabled people get work but they are not even paid half of the new minimum.

I realize the work some of them do is amazingly simple but paying them less is just backing up their feelings of lack of equal worth.

This may be a different subject but it is regarding disabled people. I wish someone would make it as easy and inexpensive for people who have unseen disabilities to get service dogs. We have to pay for the dog and the training which can amount to several thousand of dollars.

Maybe our next president will fight for broadening the definition of disabled.

I went for a few years without a service dog after my knee replacements but getting older has started taking me back to my old issues and I will be needing a dog again.

[AJT]

2. This may have some unexpected consequences.

I know that there are businesses that take advantage of the current rules, but in sime cases a lower wage is justified. Some disabled people will be unemployable in for-profit businesses if the disability would cut productivity. It may seem cruel but if you own a for-profit businesses then you pay based on productivity. Hopefully necessary adjustments will be made.

[loyalsister]

4. Dehumanizing treatment of disabled people is never ok

Never. Everyone who lives long enough will experience some form of disability. Contrary to popular ableism, it's entirely normal and has always been with us. To accept treating us as less deserving of basic survival is to endorse a belief in a kind of superiority that had it's shining moment when we were labeled unworthy and involuntarily sterilized in the US and executed elsewhere. Imperfect imported Africans were thrown off of ships into the ocean to drown. Earlier immigrants were denied entrance to the US. And it continues today with an extra helping of hate directed at disabled children in ICE detention centers.
It all begins with the sentiment you posted.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

3. At least someone gives a shit about

We disabled people,and stop and remove the right wings horrific evil shit they're setting up to do to us.

Warren is gonna get my vote because she sees the truth and is talking about it. Thanks Warren! I hope you win.