The Senate is investigating two 70 year old programs designed to help the disabled:
Two programs established nearly 70 years ago to create jobs for the disabled have made millions of dollars for a handful of companies but helped only a fraction of those who were supposed to benefit, a Senate investigation has concluded.
Investigators for the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee reported that under one of the programs, companies run by those who are legally blind control $1.2 billion in cafeteria contracts at military facilities. But companies run by blind people don’t always hire the blind…
The committee investigators also reported that some companies with contracts pay executives “excessive” compensation.
“It is unconscionable that private companies and employers exploit federal laws to make millions off people with disabilities,” said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
Melanie Brunson, executive director of the American Council of the Blind, said “nobody can be expected to hire only blind people.” She defended the program created by the Randolph-Sheppard law as one “that provides blind persons with an opportunity to run a business.”
Interesting to see what happens. Pun intended. I hope I didn’t offend my blind readers.