The Atalissa workers case is changing federal wage laws, one national expert said, calling the case “landmark” in shedding light on the treatment of the mentally disabled.
Sue A. Gant, an expert in the care and treatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, called Wednesday’s verdict “extraordinary” and said changes are already happening at the federal level in light of the case.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and the Center for Public Representation have launched investigations into ADA complaints regarding how mentally disabled workers are paid, Gant said.
For instance, prior to this case, companies could hire mentally disabled workers for less than minimum wage if they could prove the worker was in some sort of “training program.” The U.S. Department of Labor is revisiting the waiver due to the Atalissa case, she said.