State disability employment commission issues report, recommendations
Recommendations include employment targets, eliminating sub-minimum wage and segregated work for state employees and contractors
Allegheny County Delegation October 2, 2024 | 11:41 AM
Rep. Dan Miller speaks at a press conference detailing the Employment First Oversight Commission's 2024 Annual Report. Click the image to a photo gallery from this event.
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – On Tuesday morning the state Employment First Oversight Commission and Pennsylvanian lawmakers held a press conference to release the commission’s annual report and recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. The report tracks the implementation of the Employment First Act, which was passed in 2018 to ensure people with disabilities can achieve independence through jobs paying competitive wages in community settings.
“The purpose of this report is to help move the state and all levels of government to be a model for how workplaces can benefit from even the most modest accommodations,” said Rep. Dan Miller, D-Allegheny, majority whip and member of the commission. “We appreciate the efforts of the Shapiro-Davis administration in their actions to increase opportunities for people with disabilities, but the reality is that six years later, the goals of the commission have not been met. We need to continue to work to change the game here, so more Pennsylvanians with disabilities can envision their independence and have increased opportunities – that’s what Employment First was designed to do.”
Miller, whose bill to create an executive director position within the commission (H.B. 1384) has passed the House but not the Senate, was joined by other lawmakers who have worked for decades to improve conditions for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, including state Sen. Christine Tartaglione, D-Phila., who herself uses a wheelchair.
“This initiative means a lot to me. Not only for personal reasons, but because Employment First is the unification of two ideals that I hold most dear as a legislator – worker empowerment and the rights of people with disabilities,” said Tartaglione, the author of S.R. 337, which would recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. “I am glad to see that the executive branch and our partner agencies are continuing progress toward mutual goals and highlight the success of Pennsylvanians with disabilities in the workplace. As policymakers it is important that we take the commission’s recommendations seriously and continue to fight for the advancement of people with disabilities in the workplace, classroom, courts, online and everywhere else.”
In the state House of Representatives, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill has also introduced H.R. 535, which also would recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the state.
“As someone who worked for 16 years with young adults with disabilities, a lot has happened over the years to make enhancements for people with disabilities, but sadly, we have more work to do. As one example, for many, transportation remains a major hurdle and many people live in underserved areas that make it difficult to get to work on time,” said McNeill. “With that being said, National Disability Employment Month serves as a way to celebrate the talent and worth these employees bring to our nation’s businesses and economy. Everyone deserves access to a good job, regardless of their disability.”
Major recommendations from this year’s report include setting employment targets for the commonwealth to encourage the employment of people with disabilities, improving pathways for people to find and obtain employment with the state, and phasing out the payment of subminimum wage for state employees or contractors; along with eliminating segregated work environments.
“All people who have disabilities who want to work should have the right and ability to do so. We know there is a significant lack of people with disabilities in the workforce, while people with disabilities are our state’s largest minority group – but also the minority group with the highest training levels,” said Dr. Josie Badger, chair of the commission. “We are here to change that outcome, to make sure people with disabilities are not overlooked when we are looking for new employees. We call on the governor and we call on the legislature to work with us, to come together to make a difference.”
The report also highlighted where there have been improvements in employment for Pennsylvanians. Commission member Dale Verchick specifically pointed to inter-agency cooperative efforts concerning data collection and sharing, streamlining services and improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Verchick said the state has increased support for workplace placements to help people transition from school to the workforce.
“Employment is about more than just a paycheck. It’s about dignity, independence and opportunity. This month is a chance for us to renew our commitment to breaking down barriers and building a workforce that includes everyone,” Verchick said. “As we move forward, I want to encourage everyone to reflect on how we can better support and champion disability inclusion. A more inclusive workforce strengthens our entire society, and it is up to us to make this a reality.”
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