National Federation of the Blind Applauds DOJ Motion to Intervene in Sheltered Workshop Case

Baltimore, Maryland (April 2, 2013): The National Federation of the Blind today applauded the United States Department of Justice’s motion to intervene in the pending class action lawsuit Lane v. Kitzhaber, No. 12-cv-138 (D. Or.). The United States’ complaint in intervention alleges that the state of Oregon has violated Title II of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by unnecessarily segregating thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in sheltered workshops, and by placing them at risk of such segregation, when they could be working in integrated employment settings with appropriate supports and services, such as supported employment.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “The National Federation of the Blind supports efforts to integrate more Americans with disabilities into competitive, integrated employment settings and to ensure that youth who are blind or who have other disabilities are not unnecessarily tracked into sheltered workshops, many of which pay their workers significantly less than federal or state minimum wages.  We therefore applaud the United States Department of Justice for moving to intervene in this potentially groundbreaking litigation.”

The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure that blind children get an equal education, to connect blind veterans with the training and services they need, and to help seniors who are losing vision continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org.

 ###

 About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the United States.  Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become independent and successful.  We need your support.  To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org