Center for Disabilities Studies

Two separate bills introduced in the U.S. Congress would end the practice of paying employees with disabilities a wage lower than the federal minimum wage. This is allowed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which enables companies to apply for a certificate to create a “sheltered workshop,” where individuals with disabilities often perform simplistic tasks. Opponents of the bills argue that sheltered workshops provide individuals with severe disabilities the only chance to find employment.

Harrison Barnes, a seventeen-year-old Delawarean with autism, won an award from Prudential Financial, Inc. for creating a nonprofit promoting cycling as a way to increase wellbeing. The nonprofit, GearUp, refurbishes used bikes and gives them away at no cost and offers mentoring to young cyclists with physical and developmental disabilities. The award, called the Spirit of Community Award, honors two young volunteers from each state and comes with a $1,000 prize and a trip to Washington, D.C. for a ceremony.

Delaware Sen. Stephanie Hansen has introduced legislation forbidding insurance companies to deny coverage based on an individual’s genetic test results. Hansen says results revealing a genetic predisposition to a certain disease could lead to such a rejection. While federal law seems to prohibit this, Hansen says a friend in Pennsylvania was cautioned against genetic testing for this reason.

The Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, a yearly fundraiser for Special Olympics Delaware, saw 3,500 participants run into the 39-degree water of the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. The event brought in more than $906,000. The number of participants and amount of money both exceeded last year’s Plunge totals.

President Trump recently signed a bill funding for three months Money Follows the Person, a popular Medicaid program that offers health care and housing support to individuals with disabilities transitioning out of institutions. The bill is meant to keep the program alive while lawmakers work on legislation to make Money Follows the Person permanent – a goal that was pursued but not achieved in the last Congressional session.