Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
The op-ed frames fair pay for disabled workers as a matter of respect and belonging, insisting that wages signal whether society sees people as full participants. It calls attention to policies and practices that treat low wages as acceptable when disability is involved, and challenges readers to rethink what dignity in work really means.
The piece argues that fair pay is about human and civil rights, not charity. It points toward pay equity and integrated employment as routes to genuine inclusion, urging leaders to measure success by whether People with Disabilities can build stable lives—not by how cheaply services can be delivered.
Grounding the argument in everyday realities, the op-ed describes how low pay limits independence, choice, and community life for People with Disabilities, and how this connects to systemic ableism that normalizes separate or lesser treatment. It emphasizes that Blind/Low Vision people and wheelchair users, among others, experience these barriers in distinct ways that stack up over time.
The closing call is clear: employers and policymakers should remove barriers, phase out practices that depress wages, and invest in supports that make competitive, integrated work possible. The message centers dignity, urging communities to prioritize equity so that People with Disabilities can contribute and thrive.
Read the Full Article: Fair pay for disabled workers isn’t just about money—it’s about dignity | Opinion
by: Sara Nye
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