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TAKE ACTION!🚨 Tell your state legislators to END subminimum wage for people with disabilities in South Carolina!

Currently, the United States still operates under a law in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which grants certain employers a 14(c) certificate to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage—sometimes pennies an hour. In South Carolina as of 2020, approximately 1,200 people with disabilities are making less than the minimum wage. Several states have already restricted the use of subminimum wage, and South Carolina could join them in becoming a national model if this bill is passed.

In 2021, our approach to employment for people with disabilities should not be the same as it was in the 1930s. Our society has changed, and people with disabilities have adapted and innovated. We can work just as well as anyone else, and we deserve to be paid equally for it.

If this bill to end subminimum wage (S.533) passes, there will be a three year phase-out to allow time to develop a plan to successfully transition workers to other types of employment. We believe a three year transition, which provides support for both providers and participants and is grounded in the values of informed choice and equal rights, is a positive path forward. The three year transition plan to end subminimum wage in SC will ensure a meaningful transition for the individuals receiving subminimum wage and promises that no one will be left behind. More information about subminimum wage can be found on our website.

Fill out the quick form below and get connected directly to your state representatives to tell them co-sponsor and vote YES to S.533!

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House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee

Subject: CONSTITUENT: END subminimum wage for people with disabilities in South Carolina.

Message:

I am one of your constituents, and I am writing you today to ask that you support your constituents with disabilities by voting YES to S.533, the bill to end subminimum wage for people with disabilities in South Carolina. Currently, the United States still operates under a law in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which grants certain employers a 14(c) certificate to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage—sometimes pennies an hour. In South Carolina as of 2020, approximately 1,200 people with disabilities are making less than the minimum wage. Several states have already restricted the use of subminimum wage, and South Carolina could join them in becoming a national model if this bill is passed. Many subminimum wage employers and “employment training centers” engage in problematic practices, benefitting from both Medicaid funding and business contracts, while paying the workers with disabilities who perform the work less than minimum wage. According to a report issued by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the U.S. Department of Labor has repeatedly found 14(c) providers limiting people with disabilities participating in the program from realizing their full potential while allowing providers and associated businesses to profit from their labor. In 2021, our approach to employment for people with disabilities should not be the same as it was in the 1930s. Our society has changed, and people with disabilities have adapted and innovated. We can work just as well as anyone else, and we deserve to be paid equally for it. Furthermore, the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, prohibits against discrimination based on disability. Therefore, this wage discrimination needs to stop now; people with disabilities are the only ones who continue to be paid below the minimum wage. If the bill passes, it would not take full effect until August 1, 2024, to allow time to develop a plan to successfully transition workers to other types of employment. We believe a three year transition, which provides support for both providers and participants and is grounded in the values of informed choice and equal rights, is a positive path forward. The three year transition plan to end subminimum wage in SC will ensure a meaningful transition for the individuals receiving subminimum wage and promises that no one will be left behind. More information about subminimum wage can be found here: https://www.able-sc.org/resources/subminimum-wage-faqs/ S.533 just passed through the Senate and will be up for a vote in the Labor, Commerce, and Industry committee soon. I am counting on you to ensure that all South Carolinians, with and without disabilities, are paid at least the minimum wage. I am writing you today to ask that you voice your support publicly for ending subminimum wage for people with disabilities by voting YES to S.533.

Remaining:

SC House

Subject: CONSTITUENT: END subminimum wage for people with disabilities in South Carolina.

Message:

I am one of your constituents, and I am writing you today to ask that you support your constituents with disabilities by voting YES to S.533, the bill to end subminimum wage for people with disabilities in South Carolina. Currently, the United States still operates under a law in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which grants certain employers a 14(c) certificate to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage—sometimes pennies an hour. In South Carolina as of 2020, approximately 1,200 people with disabilities are making less than the minimum wage. Several states have already restricted the use of subminimum wage, and South Carolina could join them in becoming a national model if this bill is passed. Many subminimum wage employers and “employment training centers” engage in problematic practices, benefitting from both Medicaid funding and business contracts, while paying the workers with disabilities who perform the work less than minimum wage. According to a report issued by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the U.S. Department of Labor has repeatedly found 14(c) providers limiting people with disabilities participating in the program from realizing their full potential while allowing providers and associated businesses to profit from their labor. In 2021, our approach to employment for people with disabilities should not be the same as it was in the 1930s. Our society has changed, and people with disabilities have adapted and innovated. We can work just as well as anyone else, and we deserve to be paid equally for it. Furthermore, the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, prohibits against discrimination based on disability. Therefore, this wage discrimination needs to stop now; people with disabilities are the only ones who continue to be paid below the minimum wage. If the bill passes, it would not take full effect until August 1, 2024, to allow time to develop a plan to successfully transition workers to other types of employment. We believe a three year transition, which provides support for both providers and participants and is grounded in the values of informed choice and equal rights, is a positive path forward. The three year transition plan to end subminimum wage in SC will ensure a meaningful transition for the individuals receiving subminimum wage and promises that no one will be left behind. More information about subminimum wage can be found here: https://www.able-sc.org/resources/subminimum-wage-faqs/ S.533 just passed through the Senate and is making its way to the House soon. I am counting on you to ensure that all South Carolinians, with and without disabilities, are paid at least the minimum wage. I am writing you today to ask that you voice your support publicly for ending subminimum wage for people with disabilities by voting YES to S.533.

Remaining:

TAKE ACTION!🚨 Tell your state legislators to END subminimum wage for people with disabilities in South Carolina!

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TAKE ACTION!🚨 Tell your state legislators to END subminimum wage for people with disabilities in South Carolina!

We've found your representatives!

Oops! It looks like you don't live in South Carolina, so you aren't able to send a message to SC state officials. However, we encourage you to still speak up!

Share on social media to encourage your friends in SC to take action.

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Thank you for speaking up for people with disabilities.

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Oops! It looks like you don't live in South Carolina, so you aren't able to send a message to SC state officials.
However, we encourage you to still speak up!