We, the undersigned organizations and individuals of Maine, urge you to co-sponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) S.533.
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 allows employers to obtain special certificates (commonly known as 14(c) certificates) from the Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division to pay workers with disabilities below the federal minimum wage. In some cases, this means earning less than one dollar an hour, a practice that Maine has already led the way in ending.
Your leadership is essential to ensure that people with disabilities across the nation have the same opportunities that Maine has created, opportunities to work in competitive, integrated employment for fair wages.
For tens of thousands of Americans with disabilities, earning extremely low wages is still a harsh reality. According to a 2023 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, over half of 14(c) workers earn less than $3.50 an hour, with some making as little as $0.25. This affects approximately 42,000 individuals nationwide. TCIEA is a landmark piece of legislation that provides a clear pathway to transition these workers into employment where they can earn equal pay and access meaningful opportunities for training, career development, and advancement.
Maine: A Model for the Nation
Maine has already demonstrated that phasing out subminimum wage benefits individuals, families, and communities. By supporting this legislation, you can ensure that Maine continues to set an example for the rest of the country. Employers in Maine have successfully transitioned workers with disabilities into fair-paying jobs, proving that competitive, integrated employment is not just achievable, it is essential for building inclusive workplaces and strong economies.
Ending Discrimination in Sheltered Workshops
Subminimum wages are often calculated using discriminatory time trials, which assess productivity based on speed without accounting for the need for reasonable accommodations. These practices, which violate the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), undermine the dignity and potential of workers with disabilities. TCIEA would help eliminate these inequities and replace them with pathways to success in competitive and integrated work environments.
Why TCIEA Matters to Maine
By co-sponsoring TCIEA, you will not only help create opportunities for people with disabilities across the country but also reinforce Maine’s legacy as a leader in disability employment policy. The TCIEA will provide funding for job training, personalized support, and guidance to help people with disabilities find and succeed in regular jobs and will ensure that the progress made in Maine can be replicated nationwide.
Maine has led the charge in ensuring that workers with disabilities are treated equitably. Now, we need your leadership to extend that vision to the rest of the nation.
Sincerely,
Disability Rights Maine
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