(ASHEVILLE) -- On Wednesday, the Workforce Investment Act will go before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The bill has the attention of advocates for the disabled in North Carolina, because contained in it is language that would allow for people with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage.

Randy Buckner of Industries for the Blind in Asheville said this provision runs contrary to his organization's philosophy.  "We believe that we should pay competitive wages to all people with disabilities regardless of what that is if they can perform the job they should get the same compensation as someone who is not disabled," said Buckner.

About 75 percent of the workforce at Industries for the Blind is blind or visually-impaired. Buckner said his company does mostly government contract work, and it has to meet the same quality standards, timelines and other criteria as any other government contractor.

(Thanks to: WWNC)