Grothman Introduces Bill to Protect Employment Opportunities for Adults with Disabilities

This press release from Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) was published on 2026-05-14 and titled "Grothman Introduces Bill to Protect Employment Opportunities for Adults with Disabilities".

Grothman Introduces Bill to Protect Employment Opportunities for Adults with Disabilities

Congressman Glenn Grothman introduced the Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities Act, legislation aimed at protecting work opportunities and expanding employment choice for adults with disabilities. The bill would remove burdensome federal barriers that currently prevent many adults with disabilities from accessing workplace environments that best fit their individual needs, abilities, and long-term success at facilities like Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam, WI., and Opportunities Inc in Fort Atkinson, WI. The following organizations have endorsed the Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities Act : A-Team Wisconsin, A-Team USA, MARC, Inc., The Westmoreland County Blind Association, Industrial Opportunities, Inc., Grand Traverse Industries, The Brookwood Community, VARC, Pantheon Industries, New Hope Center, Disability Service Provider Network-WI “Too often, Washington policymakers focus only on wages and ignore the broader benefits that meaningful work provides for individuals with disabilities,” said Congressman Grothman. “For many families, these workplaces offer stability, community, training, routine, transportation assistance, and other support services that are incredibly valuable. These workplace settings provide a level of support and opportunity that has become harder to access because of bureaucratic red tape. In some cases, individuals working in these settings may also earn more overall than they would in other employment environment. Adults with disabilities deserve the freedom to choose the workplace environment that works best for them without unnecessary government obstacles standing in the way.” “Young people with disabilities deserve access to work programs that help bring them satisfaction, purpose, and dignity. I am proud to support the Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities which breaks down barriers preventing these individuals from participating in work that builds confidence, leads to positive outcomes, and fosters independence.” - Congressman Burgess Owens “The Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities will ensure individuals have a CHOICE in the service that helps ensure a career pathway to employment. Young adults with a disability have limited opportunity after high school graduation. Many ages 18-24 are left at home and become disenfranchised and isolated from the world of work. This bill will allow individuals the ability to continue to train and mature with the goal of gaining community integrated employment when the time is right.” - Barb LeDuc, President/CEO Opportunities, Inc. “This bill is very much needed for individuals with Special Needs in order to provide them the same opportunities that individuals without a disability have to obtain a Job. Having criteria based on the age of an individual to obtain a job, is concerning and should not be permissible. The enactment of this bill would allow those with Special Needs to obtain a Job of their CHOICE, regardless of their age. Allow the individuals to make their OWN decision!!!” – Timothy P. Miller, Executive Director at Westmoreland County Blind Association “At KANDU, we fight every day for the right of individuals with disabilities to have choice, purpose, dignity, and meaningful opportunities. Every person deserves the chance to contribute in a way that matches their abilities, goals, and comfort level — and no one should lose that right because someone else decides what is best for them. We will continue to stand up for the voices, rights, and value of the individuals we proudly serve.” – Kathy J. Hansen, Executive Director at KANDU Industries “Through my work at KANDU Industries, I have seen firsthand that meaningful employment is not one-size-fits-all. Individuals with disabilities deserve the opportunity to choose employment pathways that match their unique abilities, support needs, and goals while experiencing the dignity, confidence, and sense of purpose that meaningful work provides.” — Linda Diedrich, Marketing Director, KANDU Industries “My name is Christopher Wilson and I work at Kandu. I know friends from Special Olympics that cannot work at Kandu because they are not old enough. This makes me sad. I like it there.” - Christopher Wilson, KANDU Industries "When there is a pause in the use of skill sets, those abilities can decline significantly over time or even be lost entirely. When we invest in the individual momentum of the people we love, serve, and support, we advocate for their continued success. I believe that by amending this bill’s age qualifier, we can meet the needs of today’s consumer market at a pivotal moment and further support the highest long-term potential of each individual." - Madison Vander Loop, New Hope Inc. “Every person deserves the opportunity to build confidence, independence, and meaningful work skills at their own pace. Lowering the age from 24 to 18 for sheltered workshop and pre vocationa