Equality Facade

Work is meaningful. In addition to income, it gives us purpose. Some are lucky enough to find a place where work is fun, exciting, a place to connect, to find self-worth and self-esteem. H is picked up each morning by his favorite van driver (doesn’t matter which one, they are all his favorite) where he greets a few co-workers and heads to his community integration work site. Sometimes he works at nearby work sites and sometimes he works right at the center. Much of the center’s jobs are piece-rate. Piece-rate means a company sends all of the components needed to complete a needed task and pay is determined by dividing the number of completed tasks typically done within an hour by minimum wage. Employees with cognitive and physical disabilities are paid by piece or task completed.  The more they can complete, the more they get paid.

 

A bi-partisan bill was introduced in the name of equality to stop the practice of piece-rate jobs in favor of minimum wage employment. In concept, this makes sense but the reality is many in community integration work programs will have their work options stripped. Those who depend on piece-rate jobs for employment are told it is best if they don't work at all.

 

H enjoys various work sites that are integrated but he also enjoys working with his friends. The same people who attend community activities for persons with disabilities. These are his peers. H just wants to work at a job where he is successful. On days where there are no jobs, H calls to sadly report that he only did crossword puzzles that day. While that often sounds much more relaxing to some, he prefers to work. He needs productivity. He loves the repetitiveness of his “jobs”. He loves reporting the number of completed tasks. He beams with pride.

For the past 3 years, parents and guardians have been required to sit through an annual meeting where persons served by community integration work are introduced to a new state effort to offer a service to help them find a minimum wage job. To remain at the community integration site, a form has to be signed. Here is the reality. I asked if transportation would be provided for this new state initiative, as the community integration workers at this meeting do not drive. They said not directly and to use state provided transportation, an overtaxed system with a two-hour window each way. Two hours. Each way. And, they aren’t guaranteed any work. Adults with disabilities are only guaranteed that someone will help them try to find something. If a job coach and a few hours of job search help for was all H needed to secure a minimum wage job, we would have signed up in a heartbeat. This is not his reality. Many within the community integration work sites cannot physically or cognitively keep pace at a minimum wage job. Removing piece-rate would be great if there was a work plan to replace it but instead, it will remove any employment option for many that are currently working. In place of work, community integration services will provide computer lessons, aerobic classes, and some volunteer activities. In the name of equality they are not offering anything that even resembles equality for those with disabilities who want to work and depend on piece-rate jobs. They are telling this population that not working is better than a work option that they are able to do successfully.

 

If the authors of this legislation wanted equality, they would be listening to ALL voices. Instead they look down their noses that the people most affected, not including their perspective, their needs. By stating persons with disabilities deserve more, the legislation is considering removing the work that many with disabilities can complete successfully. All under the façade of equality.