Didlake joins 127 other organizations in supporting the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA).

This bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1263/S. 533) would provide states and employers with the resources to transition workers with disabilities into fully integrated and competitive jobs, which includes earning at least the minimum wage alongside individuals without disabilities, while phasing out the subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities.

The End Subminimum Wage Coalition includes the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) along with 124 allied organizations.

Read the coalition letter sent to Congress.

Excerpts from the letter:

“Broad consensus for TCIEA exists among this letter’s varied signatories, representing the interests of disabled people, businesses, employers, state agencies, providers, and families. It is our shared position that there is dignity in work, and that all disabled workers deserve fair pay in integrated employment settings. We strongly urge you to pass TCIEA during the 118th Congress.”

“TCIEA is the rare kind of legislation that is a win-win-win-win for legislators, state providers, businesses, and disabled people because it would enable employers to provide good, cost-effective jobs for disabled people, thereby increasing disabled peoples’ participation in the workforce and financial independence. Disabled people want to work. TCIEA will help that goal come to fruition because it provides the grants and technical assistance necessary to both advance opportunities for competitive integrated employment (CIE), as well as to gradually sunset the Section 14(c) program over five years in the Senate bill and four years in the House Bill. The process outlined in this legislation will not harm businesses and state agencies, but as a matter of fact, will help them.”