On behalf of another- This just isn't right

[Amanita]

So I'm posting this on behalf of somebody else..
First, a bit of background. I used to be friends with a lady, I'll call her N. Now N has real difficulty with writing and spelling, and overall is a bit challenged in terms of intellect. I met a current friend of mine through her, we'll call him C.
I was a teenager when I met N, and after a few years, we grew apart, but I continued to be friends with C. C still talks to N, so I have some idea of what's going on with her.

She works in some sort of program that provides work to those with learning and intellectual disabilities. They do a variety of things there- sewing, embroidery, cooking, screen printing. Those are things it takes some effort and practice to get good at, not unskilled work, and they put in a full workweek at this- somewhere between 35-40 hours each week. For this, they get the grand total of a monthly disability check- somewhere around $500 if memory serves. So for all that work, they get well below minimum wage. I think this is allowed under an aspect of the law- since it's not a "real job" but a "work experience program", laws concerning wages don't apply.
To me, that's not right at all- these people deserve at least minimum wage for their work. No wonder my friend C calls the place "the sweatshop".

The other thing about this place that has earned a serious "WTF" from me is food. According to N, The place dictates in minute detail what people are allowed to bring to work in their lunch. A sandwich, a drink (they specify what kind of each), and something else. For sandwiches, they dictate what kind of sandwich, and what condiments and toppings are allowed, and how much- for example, how much mayo and mustard must be used. And apparently, they have been known to open and inspect sandwiches to make sure the rules are being followed. If somebody's food is not in compliance, it gets confiscated, and the person goes without. Heaven help somebody who does not like the prescribed sandwich or toppings, I guess!
The rationale for this micromanagement- People may "feel bad" if anyone is allowed to bring anything different, and somebody else gets jealous.
Funny, I thought the point of these programs was to help these people function in the real world, and as part of that, one would think that understanding that things aren't always 100% equal would be a good thing.

Is it just me, or is this (below minimum wage and food micromanaging) downright insulting to the people it's supposed to be helping?

[NorthernZel]

RE: wage, unfortunately that's the way it is. Over here we also have so-called "work experience programs" that only pays what is comparable to welfare, unenmployment benefit or disability benefit. And even neurotypical persons whose only problem is long-time unemployment can get assigned to such a program.

Re: food, that's another question. I bet that policy is there for a reason (as there might have been previous incidents), but what I can't understand is, why doesn't the place of work offer their own lunch service so they have 100% control of what is served? And are they even considering that issues like food allergies, religious beliefs and/or other stuff may prevent a worker to comply to their lunch regulations?
On that, I'd check with the county or state agency that oversees the place of work.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

The operators of this program are probably pulling in big government bucks to treat mentally handicapped people like slaves, amirite?

Any private business would be nailed to the wall for making people work those kinds of hours doing that kind of work while paying sub-minimum wage.

[Amanita]

^Exactly! Even if it "Is the way it is", I don't think it's right that these "programs" get away with paying so little. Somebody who works deserves more than they would get just for sitting on their butt at home, especially when because of their condition, they might not be able to "just go someplace else if they don't like it".

And yes, if this place is so strict on food, they should provide it themselves! I can see them bending for allergies, but what about religious beliefs or other dietary needs, or just plain extreme dislikes? I've heard of a lot of people, neurotypical or otherwise, having extreme dislikes of ordinary food items, even things like mayo, mustard, or gravy.

[NorthernZel]

^Exactly! Even if it "Is the way it is", I don't think it's right that these "programs" get away with paying so little. Somebody who works deserves more than they would get just for sitting on their butt at home, especially when because of their condition, they might not be able to "just go someplace else if they don't like it".

I understand you completely. But alas, as I see it, the powers that be behind these sorts of programs think "well, <person> would get paid the same whether they sit at home or not, but with our <insert self-flattering adjective here> program they get work experience / social network / increased quality of life! Yay for <program>!"

As said before, I'd suggest that either you or your friend's family contact whatever agency is overseeing the place of work and question their policy on lunch boxes. And eventually contact the place of work itself and ask whether an advisor could work on getting your friend a part-time job in a place (perhaps along with an aide) that pays at least minimum wage.