The Debate Over Subminimum Wage for Workers with Disabilities in the US

The 14(c) Program Explained

• 📌 The 14(c) program, a section of US labor law, allows employers to pay certain workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.
• 💡 Created in 1938, the program's intent was to ensure that employers would still hire individuals whose disabilities might affect their productivity.
• 📊 Productivity is measured against non-disabled workers, often using a stopwatch, to determine a commensurate wage.

Experiences Under 14(c)

• ⚠️ Some workers, like Brady Bartley with autism, report feeling exploited, earning as little as $3 an hour and struggling to survive.
• ✨ Others, like Michelle Jardine with an intellectual disability, find fulfillment, friendship, and a sense of belonging in 14(c) workplaces, despite lower pay.
• 📉 Investigations reveal significant non-compliance, with millions in back wages owed to workers due to employers not following program rules.

Criticisms and Support for 14(c)

• 🚫 Critics argue the program reinforces stigma and discrimination, signaling that people with disabilities are not equal or as capable as others.
• 🤝 Supporters contend that 14(c) provides crucial employment opportunities for individuals who might not find work elsewhere, highlighting the challenges disabled individuals face in the broader job market.
• 📈 Many 14(c) employers are