Disability Rights Ohio, National Federation of the Blind, and Autistic Self
Advocacy... -- COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
National Federation of the Blind logo
list end
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a
precedent-setting opinion
issued by an administrative law judge from the U.S. Department of Labor
(USDOL), three clients have been awarded minimum wage going forward and back pay
from Seneca Re-Ad, a sheltered workshop run by the Seneca County Board of
Developmental Disabilities.
The original petition
was filed by
Disability Rights Ohio (DRO),
the
National Federation of the Blind,
the
Autistic Self Advocacy Network,
and the Baltimore law firm of Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP.
Joe Magers, Pam Steward, and Mark Felton had been paid an average of $2.50 an
hour for more than three years and are among the first workers with disabilities
ever to invoke the petition process to seek a review of their wages by the
USDOL. The administrative law judge found that Seneca Re-Ad has not proven that
the petitioners' disabilities keep them from accomplishing the work. Further,
the decision holds that their wages have not been calculated correctly.
Therefore,
Seneca must pay at least the minimum wage.
"The opinion highlights that each of our clients brings valuable employment
skills to the Seneca Re-Ad facility, and their value as workers should be
respected,"
says DRO Attorney Barbara Corner. "People with disabilities are full and equal
members of society and should be paid fairly."
"Many people are shocked when they find out that it is legal to pay people with
disabilities less than minimum wage," said Samantha Crane, Legal Director
and Director of Public Policy at ASAN. "But what's even more surprising is how
rare this type of enforcement action has been until now. We hope this decision
puts other workshops on notice that they won't get away with this sort of
exploitation."
Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"This decision cuts through the low expectations based on stereotypes and
misconceptions
that undergird the antiquated and discriminatory subminimum-wage employment
model. The National Federation of the Blind is proud of our role in helping
these workers to earn compensation that reflects the skilled work that they
perform. We believe that this decision sends a strong signal that subminimum
wages are an idea whose time has long since passed."
About Disability Rights Ohio: Disability Rights Ohio is the federally and state
designated Protection and Advocacy System and Client Assistance Program
for the state of Ohio. The mission of Disability Rights Ohio is to advocate for
the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.
Disability Rights Ohio provides legal advocacy and rights protection to a wide
range of people with disabilities.
About the National Federation of the Blind: The National Federation of the
Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your
future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low
expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live
the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
About the Autistic Self Advocacy Network: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
(ASAN) is a national, private, nonprofit organization, run by and for
individuals
on the autism spectrum. ASAN provides public education and promotes public
policies that benefit autistic individuals and others with developmental or
other disabilities. Its advocacy activities include combating stigma,
discrimination, and violence against autistic people and others with
disabilities;
promoting access to employment, health care and long-term supports in
integrated community settings; and educating the public about the access needs
of
autistic people. ASAN takes a strong interest in cases that affect the rights
of autistic individuals to participate fully in community life and enjoy
the same rights as others without disabilities.
Media Contacts:
Stacy Brannan-Smith
Communications Specialist
Disability Rights Ohio
800-282-9181, ext. 101
sbrannan-smith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chris Danielsen
Direction of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
410-659-9314, ext. 2330
cdanielsen@xxxxxxx
Samantha Crane, J.D.
Legal Director, Director of Public Policy
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
202-509-0135
scrane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Source:
Source:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disability-rights-ohio-national-federation-of-the-blind-and-autistic-self-advocacy-network-celebrate-landmark-decision-ordering-fair-pay-from-sheltered-workshop-300215081.html
