AbilityOne Program Will No Longer Allow Contracts That Pay Subminimum Wages

Earlier this month, the U.S. AbilityOne Commission issued a proposed rule to prohibit any new contracts under the AbilityOne Program that would pay people with disabilities subminimum wages.

The AbilityOne program has employed over 42,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities by directing federal contracts to a network of nearly 500 nonprofits that provide products and services for the government. The proposed rule would require people employed through AbilityOne contracts to be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

The proposed rule is open to public comment through November 12, 2021.