Albany, NY – Today, Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-110th AD) and Senator James Skoufis (D-42nd SD) held a joint press conference urging the New York State Legislature to pass their bill (A1006/S28A) to eliminate the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities. If enacted, New York would become the 19th^[1] state to ensure that all workers, regardless of ability, receive fair and equal pay.

Assemblymember Steck and Senator Skoufis were joined by advocates from the Center for Disability Rights, Our Ability, the New York Association on Independent Living, and legislative co-sponsors in calling for an end to this outdated and unjust practice.

"The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was a monumental step forward in prohibiting workplace discrimination, yet workers with disabilities can still legally be paid less than their peers. This is unacceptable," said Assemblymember Steck. "Our legislation seeks to right this injustice by ensuring that all workers, regardless of ability, receive at least the state’s minimum wage. New York has an opportunity to lead by example and join 18 other states in recognizing the dignity and worth of every worker. I urge my colleagues to stand with us and support the more than 1,400^[2] New Yorkers still earning a subminimum wage."

"Offering disabled American workers a subminimum wage is an area where existing protections fail, and it is past time to end this discriminatory policy,” said Senator Skoufis. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues as we fight to abolish this practice and work to develop robust employment pathways for all New Yorkers. Workers with disabilities deserve not just support for their economic security; they deserve resources, respect, and the dignity of fair pay.”

The legislation has garnered strong support from disability rights organizations, including Our Ability, the Center for Disability Rights, and the New York Association on Independent Living.

"As an individual with a disability, I know firsthand the struggle to find meaningful employment and the importance of being valued equally in society," said John Robinson, CEO of Our Ability, Inc. "Economic policies should reflect our shared belief in equality, and it's time for New York State to take a leadership role by eliminating the outdated practice of subminimum wage. Individuals with disabilities deserve the same opportunities to contribute to and benefit from the workforce – not just in entry-level roles but as entrepreneurs and skilled professionals. With a stagnant national labor force, our talented disabled workforce can be an economic catalyst for the future."

“The idea that individuals with disabilities can earn less than the minimum wage is wrong; this practice is rooted in structural ableism. It is time for New York to end this outdated practice,” said Max Rodriguez, Manager of Governmental Affairs for the Center for Disability Rights. “The Center for Disability Rights thanks the sponsors for recognizing this injustice and advocating for employees with disabilities.”

"We are extremely supportive of eliminating the subminimum wage so that all workers with disabilities can be recognized and valued just like anyone without a disability. We need to liberate people with disabilities from well-intentioned but outdated labor policies from the1930s and do better in supporting integrated disability employment," said Alex Thompson, Director of Advocacy, New York Association on Independent Living.

The legislation currently has 30 bipartisan co-sponsors in the Assembly and 12 co-sponsors in the Senate and is awaiting consideration in the Assembly and Senate labor committees.

^[1] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2826157#google_vignette

^[2] https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/workers-with-disabilities/section-14c/certificate-holders