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In Minnesota, a state lauded for its exceptionalism, those with disabilities have been left behind. Several thousand people with disabilities earn far less than minimum wage, some as little as 7 cents an hour.
A different system is possible. With the right allocation of resources, Minnesota can advance the civil rights and economic inclusion of all people with disabilities. The bills before the Minnesota Legislature do just that: phasing out subminimum wages while investing in a more equitable, person-centered future. ("Some with disabilities will be harmed by changes," Opinion Exchange, March 15).
The Star Tribune's March 12 story, "Higher expectations," appropriately centers the people most impacted — people with disabilities who have earned subminimum wages. The recommendations of the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages, whose work informed the pending bills, are the result of significant research, community input, collaboration and deliberation. These efforts intentionally included people with disabilities and their families, though the perspectives of those respective groups differed.
Family members and guardians of people with disabilities identified wages as the least important of eight considerations when helping a family member find a job. However, of those surveyed who are currently earning subminimum...
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