Frankfort Teen Standing Up For Those Who Need A Voice

FRANKFORT, IL — People with disabilities are sometimes treated differently, whether that be through less inclusion in everyday activities or given less recognition than others who do not have disabilities.

In fact, one way in which those with disabilities can be legally discriminated against in the workplace is through a little-known loophole in the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers, after receiving a certificate from the Wage and Hour Division, to pay special minimum wages less than the federal minimum wage to workers who have disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

This loophole did not sit well with Gia Bucci, a 16-year-old Frankfort resident who in the fall will be starting her senior year at Lincoln-Way East High School.

So, when Bucci saw an opportunity to do something about Section 14(c), she took it.

At the end of her junior year, Bucci’s AP government and politics class was given an assignment that had to be related to social justice. After some discussion, Bucci’s group landed on the topic of wage inequality among those with physical and/or mental disabilities.

The group started doing research on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website. They came across statistics that Bucci said showed how underrepresented those with disabilities are, how difficult it is for them to make it in the workforce, and the group also researched what those with disabilities were saying about their experiences in the workforce.

“A couple people with disabilities who have spoken out said they make up to $3 an hour, and for an adult who’s trying to function in society, that is absolutely not close to a livable wage,” Bucci said.

The topic was personal for Bucci, she said, as she has family and friends who fall into that category.

“It’s not always easy for them in their everyday lives, so I thought that this would be an interesting topic to explore deeper and see if we can make some real changes,” Bucci said.

Bucci requested a virtual meeting in May with U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s staff. Murray, who represents the state of Washington, has been working in Congress to get fair wages for those with disabilities.

Bucci said she came away from that meeting feeling “more optimistic” about the possibility of changing Section 14(c). She was even encouraged by Murray’s staff to stay involved with the issue and reach out to her own local representatives, including Illinois State Rep. Tim Ozinga and Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings, to try and get them involved, as well.

Bucci is still waiting to hear back from both of them.

“This project has sparked a desire to make some real change,” Bucci said. “Well, not just this project, but Mr. (Kevin) McCleish's class, as well. He has taught me so much and has pushed me to be a contributing member to not only our community but to society as a whole.”

And Bucci had some words of advice for other young people who want to create real change in their communities:

“If you have something to say, just say it because ultimately there are people out there who need to have their voices heard who can’t always get their voices heard on their own.”