The Disabled Deserve the Dignity of Work

Last updated on: April 7, 2016 at 12:09 am by Acton Institute

The Disabled Deserve the Dignity of Work 2016-04-07T00:09:19-04:00 Acton Institute

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By Joe Carter

Last week, Hillary Clinton became the first major presidential candidate to ever recommend paying all disabled workers the minimum wage. While it seems like a reasonable proposal, the effect would be to put workers with severe disabilities, such as those with Down syndrome, out of work.

Clinton isn’t the only one pushing such measures. As Anne Schieber of the Mackinac Center notes, government regulators at the Department of Labor are also considering mandating “integrated work settings,” which means work centers for the disabled would have to employ more higher-priced, nondisabled workers to work with those who are disabled.

“That just doesn’t make sense to me,” said Charles Markey, the president of the Arnold Center, a nonprofit in Midland, Michigan, which provides jobs for the disabled by contracting with companies for a variety of tasks such as recycling and kit assembly.

This video report on the Arnold Center by the Mackinac Center shows why for many disabled workers, the dignity that comes from being able to serve one’s neighbors is even more important than a paycheck.

Originally published at the Acton PowerBlog

Previous Post

March 31, 2016

When Generosity Transforms a Community

Next Post

April 25, 2016 Finding Meaning and Beauty as a Fast Food Worker

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Charity Church Common Grace Culture Curriculum Economics Education Family Justice Order Theology Uncategorized Vocation Wisdom Wonder Work

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to Colossians, what has been raised with Christ and should we set our hearts on?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Things above, where Christ is seated The kingdom of God Eternal life The gospel message