Action Alert: Small Business Tax Credit Bill

Small Business Tax Credit Legislation Would Help Address the Employment Crisis for People With Disabilities

The small business tax credit bill (A.7475/S.5545) would create a tax credit for small businesses who hire a full-time employee with a disability. This type of incentive, geared to small businesses, could go a long way to helping people with disabilities find gainful employment in NYS, and addressing the devastating rates of unemployment and poverty in our community.

This bill was sent to Governor Cuomo and he now has until next Wednesday to either sign it into law, or veto.

What You Can Do:
You can help ensure Governor Cuomo understands how enacting a small business tax credit would help address the high rates of unemployment for people with disabilities by calling him at 518-474-8390. Press 2 to speak with a person.

You can inform Governor Cuomo that the tax credit created by A.7475/S.5545 would create an incentive for small businesses to hire individuals with disabilities, increasing the opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities to achieve gainful employment and self-sufficiency.

Action Alert: Small Business Tax Credit

The following Action Alert comes from the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL).

The small business tax credit bill (A.7475/S.5545) would create a tax credit for small businesses who hire a full-time employee with a disability. This type of incentive, geared to small businesses, could go a long way to helping people with disabilities find gainful employment in NYS, and addressing the devastating rates of unemployment and poverty in our community.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Governor Cuomo has an excellent opportunity to recommit to increasing employment of people with disabilities during NDEAM by signing the bill in October.

What You Can Do:

You can help ensure Governor Cuomo understands how enacting a small business tax credit would help address the high rates of unemployment for people with disabilities by calling him at #518-474-8390. Press 2 to speak with a person.

You can inform Governor Cuomo that the tax credit created by A.7475/S5545 would create an incentive for small businesses to hire individuals with disabilities, increasing the opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities to achieve gainful employment and self-sufficiency. You can also remind him that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and is a great opportunity to recommit to the principles of Employment First by enacting the Small Business Tax Credit bill in October.

Action Alert: Transformation To Competitive Emplolyment Act

This Action Alert comes from the Center for Public Representation, via the New York Association on Independent Living(NYAIL) ...

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#WorkWithUs by joining the July 9th national call-in day to support the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act

Tell your members of Congress to support competitive integrated employment and end the payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities by supporting the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (TCEA). The TCEA H.R. 873 in the House and S. 260 in the Senate) is a bi-partisan bill that will expand opportunities for competitive integrated employment – community jobs where people with disabilities work alongside co-workers without disabilities and are paid the same wages – and phase out the outdated and discriminatory payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities currently allowed under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The TCEA will address barriers to employment for people with disabilities by providing $300 million in capacity-building grants and technical assistance to expand opportunities for competitive integrated employment while phasing out subminimum wages over six years. The bill will help states and 14(c) certificate holders (businesses that pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages) transform their business models to more integrated and innovative approaches to disability employment.

Ask your members of Congress to support and co-sponsor the TCEA during the national call-in day on Tuesday, July 9th. Please visit the TCEA National Call-In Day Facebook Event or this page to learn more about the TCEA.

#WorkWithUs to get Congress to expand opportunities for competitive integrated employment and end subminimum wages!

How to Reach Your Members of Congress:

1 Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and ask to be connected to your Representatives and Senators.

2 Repeat. You can use this easy tool to find your members of Congress.

Easy Call Script:

Hello, this is [Name]. I’m a resident of [Town, State].

I am your constituent. Please support and co-sponsor the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (H.R. 873/S. 260). This bill will help address barriers to employment of people with disabilities. It provides funding and technical assistance to states and providers to expand capacity for competitive integrated employment while carefully phasing out over six years the ability of businesses to pay people with disabilities below the minimum wage – often pennies on the dollar — under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill will help businesses using 14(c) certificates transform into competitive, integrated workplaces where people with disabilities work alongside people without disabilities and get paid equal pay for equal work. Just like everyone else, people with disabilities want to work, live independently and be self-sufficient. Support and co-sponsor the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities!

Thank you for taking my call!

[IF YOU ARE LEAVING A VOICEMAIL:

Please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied]

[OPTIONAL ADD ON]

Personal stories are the most effective form of advocacy. Talk about why the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act is important for you or someone you know and love.

Action Alert: Urge Governor Cuomo to Enact the Small Business Tax Credit!

The bill (A.1369/S.3688) to create a tax credit for small businesses who hire people with disabilities was delivered to the Governor on Monday. He now has 10 days to take action on the bill. Call the Governor today to urge him to enact the small business tax credit!

This type of incentive, geared to small businesses, could go a long way to helping people with disabilities find gainful employment in New York State, and addressing the devastating rates of unemployment and poverty in our community. The NYS Employment First Commission's report included a recommendation to establish a cross-disability tax credit. While other tax credits exist, this particular opportunity is needed for the following reasons: 1) The Workers with Disabilities Tax Credit (WETC) is good for two years and only if you are a consumer of the vocational rehabilitation system seeking entry into the job market, 2) other tax credits are focused on individuals with particular disabilities identifying the need for a cross-disability application, and 3) small businesses are major employers in this state.

ACTION! Call Governor Cuomo TODAY at #518-474-8390. Press 2 to speak with a person.

Say: I am calling to urge Governor Cuomo to sign the small business tax credit bill! The tax credit created by A.1369/S.3688 would create an incentive for small businesses to hire individuals with disabilities, increasing the opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities to achieve gainful employment and self-sufficiency.

Click here to send your message.

Employment

Job fairs happen periodically around the North Country every year. If you are at all interested in a job search, go to this one on May 21st, and keep an eye out for future job fairs in the area.

Questions to ask yourself if you have a disability and want to explore employment:

• Are you looking for full time, part time, temporary, seasonal, or continuous employment?

• Are you looking for indoor or outdoor work? Physical work or work that’s mainly about thinking, planning, and creating? Do you like simple routines, or do you prefer work with variety and the unexpected? Do you want to work with the public or behind the scenes? Do you want coworkers, or do you prefer working by yourself?

• Do you have a specific career in mind, or are you open to a variety of fields?

• How do you plan to talk about your disability? Will you keep it to yourself or inform your employers … and at what point? Will you need some accommodations on the job? Are you concerned about discrimination or being screened out because of your disability? Can you explain your disability simply, briefly, in a way that makes people more comfortable?

These are just a few questions to get you started, and give your job search some focus. Meanwhile, if you haven’t already, reach out for some additional help with your job search and preparation:

OneWorkSource

A general regional resource for all job seekers.

New York State Adult Career & Continuing Education Services (ACCES-VR)

Provides help and, in some cases, funding assistance for job seekers with disabilities.

New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Provides employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

North Country Center for Independence

Peer support and information on employment, benefits management, workplace accommodations, and disability rights laws in the workplace.