The National Disability Rights Network released a report on
Jan. 18 detailing the widespread oppression workers with disabilities face.
NDRN executive director Curt Decker said, “our investigation found that many
people with disabilities are still being segregated and financially exploited.”
(disabilityscoop.com, Jan. 19)
Currently, business owners can receive authorization from
the Department of Labor to pay disabled workers less than the minimum wage,
which is already absurdly low at $7.25 an hour. Sheltered workshops, which are
supposed to provide better conditions and the opportunities to learn new
skills, proved to be no better. In many cases, workers with disabilities
receive only half of the minimum wage.
As unconscionable as it is, the severe exploitation of
disabled workers is completely in line with the natural tendencies of
capitalism. Wages are set at the lowest level possible to maximize profits, the
sole aim of production. Instead of human beings in need of assistance,
capitalists see workers with disabilities as sources of cheap labor.
