Department of Labor 14c Certificates and how Issuing Them Causes Discrimination

 

Currently, if non profits choose to, they can be granted a special certificate from the department that allows them to pay employees with disabilities subminimum wages. This is flat out not fair. Ironically, this law is contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Fair Labor Standards Act is far from fair

14c came into being with a 1986 amendment that created a provision to allow special certificates to do such. The Department of Labor was going to phase out 14c certificated and canceled this phase-out on July 7, 2026 much to th disappointment of the disability community

According to the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities many of those working under 14c have developmental and intellectual disabilities, and that 14c prevents such ones from living independently

We may have to look to the states to protect those with disabilities for several states have already created laws to disallow subminimum wages for those with disabilities. For a list of 14c certificate holder click here. 

I am asking the public not to support any 14c certificate holder. It is unfair and down right discriminatory

The Plight of Elderly People with Autism

 

Elderly people on the autism spectrum have two predicaments. The impairement of autism and the various impairments that potentially come with old age.

Some autistics might develop dementia. Some autistics might have simple old age decline. Needless to say, two  or more special needs have  developed. We also need to see more specialists who will assist older people with autism.

I am 56 with diabetes and hypo-thyroidism, and also am autistic. What if I develop dementia too? There is currently very few professional counselors who are qualified to assist older adults with autism let alone elderly adults with autism. Counselors need to be trained to help such ailing ones.

Thanks for reading my post. Please leave a comment, whether you agree or disagree to drum up some discussion. Thank you!

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Is It Person with Autism or Autistic Person, Part 2?

 

A person presented the strongest argument yet I have seen for calling autism a disorder and "person with autism." I should have realized this, as I am a mental health counselor. One of the criteria for autism in diagnostic manuals (DSM and ICD) is impairement. To be diagnosed with autism the person needs to be impaired to some extent. 

Now the DSM refers to social impairment, communicative impairement, and behavioral impairement. Despite what those advoates say,  who argue that autism is an identity and not a disorder, they have to contend with the fact that autism involves impairement.