Sheltered workshops may be closed

June 20--GREENSBURG -- Future employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are being discussed at a series of meetings taking place throughout the state between now and the end of the year.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) of 1938 was the first mandate passed by the United States government to regulate the amount American workers were to be paid per hour for employment in the private and commercial sectors. At that time, the minimum wage was set at 25 cents an hour. Taking into account inflation and the value of the dollar, that equals roughly $4.10 per hour by 2018 standards.

In October 1938, after a long battle in the House and the Senate, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill into law. The law was the first effort by the government to regulate and police what American citizens earned as wages and also made illegal hiring practices of the past that exploited children.

In 1986, the FSLA was amended to include a mandatory lower rate for individuals whose handicaps prevented them from being able to compete with non-disabled workers. Essentially, it provided disabled workers a right to work and still earn an hourly wage, despite their challenges.

Developmental Services, Incorporated, is a Columbus based 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that provides services for adults and children with mental, physical and emotional disabilities. Among the many services DSI offers are sheltered workshop (called "day programs") environments in all seven of its locations.

In these day programs, the disabled are given jobs performing a multitude of tasks, from piece assembly and packaging to more intricate tasks; all are performed by clients on an hourly/piece rate wage. Adults with disabilities ranging from the autism spectrum to the profoundly disabled all are given a job and earn a paycheck.

As elemental as having a job might seem, that simple slice of the "American dream" would be denied to clients of DSI and to the hundreds of similar agencies nationwide if not for that 1986 amendment to the FSLA.

The existence of sheltered workshops gives the 70 day program clients DSI employs, and the many similar individuals across the nation in similar workshops, the choice between competing in the open job market or in a sheltered environment.

The Task Force for Assessment of Services and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities was established by HEA 1102 in the 2017 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The task force will be led by Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, a champion on issues important to people with disabilities and their families.

A staunch advocate for the disabled, Crouch promotes equal opportunities for all Hoosiers.

"All Hoosiers deserve the same opportunities, regardless of background, economic status, or physical and intellectual challenges. There are approximately 100,000 Hoosiers who have an intellectual or developmental disability, which includes autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy," Crouch has stated.

A broad assessment of intellectual and developmental disabilities services has not taken place since 1997 when the "317 Commission" was established to create a comprehensive plan for services during the time state-run institutions were closing and services were shifting to home and community-based supports.

Meetings are being held around the state for the purpose of gathering input to create a comprehensive plan for the implementation of more or discontinuing already existing community-based services provided to people with intellectual and other disabilities. Their recommendation is due Nov. 1, 2018.

If the subminimum wage act is repealed, it means the disabled employed in sheltered workshops will have to compete for jobs against non-handicapped individuals in the public sector. Today, they are given a choice of where they'd like to work.

Teri Cutter, Regional Manager of the Day Program for DSI, said, "If they repeal the subminimum wage act, DSI will survive, but it will have such a large impact on the lives of the clients we serve. Eliminating Section 14c is going to do a great disservice to the individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Sheltered workshops are designed to help individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities learn how to work and survive in the community."

What can I do?

Hoosiers are invited to attend Lieutenant Suzanne Crouch'sTask Force meetings, which are scheduled for various times at locations throughout the state starting June 27.

A partial list of the meeting schedule follows.

July 18, 11 a.m., Indiana Government Center South, Conference Rooms 1 and 2, 402 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

Sept. 19, 11 a.m. Indiana Government Center South, Conference Room B, 402 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

Oct. 17, 11 a.m., Peabody Public Library, 1160 Ind. 205 E., Columbia City.

Greensburg residents are also invited to share their belief in sheltered workshop systems such as DSI's by writing their local representative in government.

Senator Chip Perfect (D), Senate District 43, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R), House District 55, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

U.S. Rep. Luck Messer (R), 107 W. Charles Street, Muncie, IN 47305

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R), 46 East Ohio Street Suite 462, Indianapolis, IN 46204

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly (D), 115 N. Pennsylvania Street Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-663-3111, ext. 7011 or email at bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com

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