Subminimum Pay for Disabled Workers Targeted by DOE Grants (1)

The U.S. Department of Education unveiled a new grant program Friday intended to get closer to eliminating paying subminimum wages to people with disabilities.

State vocational rehabilitation agencies and their partners can apply for grants from the $167 million program as a way to “sponsor innovative approaches that allow people with disabilities to successfully secure jobs working alongside their non-disabled peers while earning the same pay,” the agency said.

More than 40,000 people with disabilities legally earn less than the minimum wage in the U.S., which is permitted under current wage and hour law. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced bipartisan ...