[Nfbnet-members-list] Former New York Governor David Paterson Comments on Subminimum Wages for Disabled Workers

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org



Sean Darcy

Round World Consulting

(609) 610-0543 (Cell)

<mailto:roundworldconsulting at gmail.com>roundworldconsulting at gmail.com




Former New York Governor David Paterson Comments
on Subminimum Wages for Disabled Workers

New York City, New York (July 25, 2011): In advance of planned 
protests by the National Federation of the Blind against the payment 
of subminimum wages to people with disabilities and the proposed 
Workforce Investment Act, Former New York State Governor David A. 
Paterson, a member of and consultant to the National Federation of 
the Blind, said: "On the eve of the twenty-first anniversary of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act, it is more than appropriate that we 
call for the language that would reauthorize the practice of paying 
subminimum wages to Americans with disabilities to be stricken from 
the Workforce Investment Act.  We have progressed so far as a nation 
since 1938, when the original Fair Labor Standards Act denied people 
with disabilities the workforce protection of a federal minimum 
wage.  Today, we recognize our neighbors' different religions, 
different ethnicities, and different backgrounds and embrace the fact 
that these differences don't justify discrimination.  On August 3, 
when this legislation is scheduled to be considered by the members of 
the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, they 
should strike the language from the bill that discriminates against 
Americans with disabilities and ensure that there is equal pay for equal work."



The National Federation of the Blind has announced that its members, 
along with other organizations of Americans with disabilities, will 
be conducting informational protests across the United States to 
raise awareness about the practice of paying wages below the federal 
minimum wage to disabled workers.  The protests will take place on 
July 26, the twenty-first anniversary of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, at the primary district office locations of United 
States senators serving on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor and Pensions (the HELP Committee).



On August 3, the HELP committee is scheduled to vote on the Workforce 
Investment Act.  Title V, Section 511 contains language reauthorizing 
the payment of wages below the federal minimum wage to people with 
disabilities.



For more information on the National Federation of the Blind and fair 
wages for workers with disabilities, please visit 
<http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.





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About the National Federation of the Blind



With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind 
is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind 
people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives 
through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs 
encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading 
force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nations 
blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in 
the United States for the blind led by the blind.






















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