Advocates are pushing to end lower wages for disabled workers. Some families are opposed.

December 17, 2024

Published by USA Today

By Karissa Waddick

Jewelyn Cosgrove, vice president of government and public relations at Melwood, a nonprofit that employs more than 300 people with disabilities in Maryland, views the subminimum wage as “codified, disparate treatment” for the disabled community. Melwood once paid many of its employees under the lower wage provision but transitioned away around 2016 after hearing feedback from workers that the ”time trial” process it used to calculate wages was dehumanizing, Cosgrove said. Read the full story on USA Today

Media Inquiries

Melwood Communications Team

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Melwood Enterprises Employee Derek Point Receives National Recognition for Outstanding Achievements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jewelyn Cosgrove, [email protected] Grapevine, Texas — Derek Point, a valued Melwood Enterprises employee and AbilityOne program participant, was honored with the...

From Ideas to Impact: WISE Graduates Launch Businesses and New Opportunities in Fairfax County

In a community too often defined by barriers, 20 new entrepreneurs are redefining what opportunity can look like in Fairfax County. Over the weekend, a...

Melwood’s 20th abilIT Cohort Showcases Skilled Tech Talent to Regional Employers

Washington, D.C. — Melwood Community Services today celebrated the graduation of the 20th cohort of its abilIT workforce training program at the Verizon Tech and...