You can empower individuals with disabilities to break the mold and change disability employment expectations statewide.
In May of 2022, South Carolina passed the Employment First Initiative Act and the bill to end subminimum wage practices by August of 2024. DSN providers have less than two years to end their subminimum wage contracts. To help with your transition, we wanted to share with you DSN providers who are eliminating their subminimum wage work and prompting Employment First in the community. These providers are available to provide technical assistance and resources as you help to transition individuals out of subminimum wage. Contact Hire Me SC at hiremesc@able-sc.org for more information and to get connected.
Thank you to the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council for funding this project.
Eliminating subminimum wage is possible! In this video, we hear from Laurens County Disability and Special Needs Board. They share their experience and thoughts on successfully ending sheltered workshops and implementing Employment First. They have changed their culture, and so can you!
“People with disabilities have a desire and right to be contributing members of their communities. They have the skills, competencies, and passion to work in the same career fields as their peers without disabilities when given the chance. Securing competitive gainful employment allows the achievement of this significant goal. As providers and stakeholders, we have a responsibility to ensure employment opportunities for people with disabilities are never seen as a privilege, but rather acknowledged as an equal right.”
- Lois Durrah, Vice President of Employment and Community Supports, The Charles Lea Center
Why Employment First Makes Sense
All people should have opportunities for real jobs with real wages.
All people, no matter what disability they have, have the right to work a job they choose that matches their skills and interests.
Like everyone else, people with disabilities should have access accomodations that they need to work successfully.
Public policies should support people with disabilities having real jobs. Money for services should be spent on people having jobs in the community.
Learn how you can implement Employment First principles here
Your Key Questions, Answered.
