Advocating for Change: DCDT’s Inaugural Capitol Hill Visit

Dr. Josh Taylor, Policy & Advocacy Chair, Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) 

On May 15, CEC’s Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) made its first division-focused visit to Capitol Hill, marking growing advocacy around transition policy among CEC and DCDT members. This inaugural visit included meetings with ​the offices of ​​​​​chairs and ranking members ​who oversee education and employment ​from both the U.S. Senate and House, with conversation specifically focused on efforts to end subminimum wage practices and consider policy implications of the now 10-year-old Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

CEC Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Kuna Tavalin, and I had productive conversations with Senate and House staff with the primary goal of highlighting the critical need for transitioning individuals with disabilities from subminimum wages to competitive integrated employment (CIE). This visit was timely, given ongoing legislative discussions on subminimum wage and the upcoming anniversary of WIOA, which established CIE as the primary objective of vocational rehabilitation services and placed greater emphasis and funding on pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) for youth still enrolled in school. Many of the discussions focused on the challenges surrounding Pre-ETS implementation in states. Conversations during the visit underscored the critical role of DCDT members, who serve as practitioners, researchers, and state leaders working in the field supporting states to maximize the benefits of Pre-ETS. For more information about Pre-ETS, check out the recent special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 

The “The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act” introduced by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and co-sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) does just that. The bill would end subminimum wage practices nationally which continue to allow people with disabilities to be paid a fraction of the wages​ earned by their peers without disabilities​. The bipartisan ​]​​     ​ bill would also provide funding to states and service providers to make the shift from subminimum wage practices to using research-based approaches to ensure CIE outcomes for employees with disabilities.  

While the Capitol Hill visit by DCDT was the first of its kind, DCDT has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts around career development and transition policy for youth with disabilities. The Capitol Hill visit represented the culmination of several months of intensive activity and preparation from members on the topic of transitioning from subminimum wages to CIE. ​DCDT’s​ Policy and Advocacy Committee led these efforts, engaging in a series of discussions and planning and advocacy efforts.  

The Policy and Advocacy Committee hosted a DCDT Townhall on April 18, which provided a platform for members to share their perspectives on the challenges and approaches related to transitioning from subminimum wage to CIE. DCDT members who participated in the Townhall meeting brought thoughtful and diverse perspectives to the discussion, underscoring the complexities and challenges of this transition, particularly for individuals with more significant support needs.  

For more information about becoming a DCDT member and members-only benefits like the Policy & Advocacy, visit DCDT’s website at https://dcdt.org/.