You’re invited to join us for Judi’s Room!
Event Details
• Topic: Twenty-Two Cents an Hour: A Discussion on the Disability Industrial Complex Guest Doug Crandell
• Date: Wed, Oct 1, 2025
• Time: 6 PM Eastern Time, 5 PM Central, 4 PM Mountain, 3 PM Pacific
• Platform: Zoom
• Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82375518189
About the Conversation
Twenty-Two Cents an Hour: A Discussion on the Disability Industrial Complex
Exposing the Disability Industrial Complex
The United States has a system where people with disabilities are legally paid far below the federal minimum wage, a practice that was reinforced by bipartisan legislation as recently as 2016. This conversation will explore the historical policies and ongoing legal battles that perpetuate this injustice, including the horrifying case of Henry’s Turkey Farm in Iowa.
We’ll examine who truly benefits from this legislation and discuss the rise of a “disability industrial complex” —a system rooted in profit, lobbying, and emotional manipulation. By exposing this exploitation, we can challenge ourselves to rethink how society treats its most vulnerable members and build a framework for genuine reform.
About the Presenter- Doug Crandell
Author of Award-Winning Novels, Memoirs, Nonfiction and True Crime.
For more than thirty years, Doug has worked in disability advocacy, specifically the intersection of employment, economic justice, and much-needed systems change. dougcrandell.com
About Judi’s Room
Named after celebrated human rights activist Judi Chamberlin, Judi’s Room is a free event presented jointly by MindFreedom International (MFI) and I Love You, Lead On to facilitate opportunities for ongoing cross-disability dialogue. It typically begins with a presentation by one or more expert panelists, followed by an open public discussion. If you require accommodation for this event, such as sign language interpretation, please email office@mindfreedom.org at least three business days prior to the presentation date. If you would like to support Judi’s Room, please consider donating to MFI and I Love You, Lead On. If you are not yet subscribed to our mailing list for Judi’s Room and would like to sign up to receive notifications about upcoming events in the future, please send an email to office@mindfreedom.org with “Add me to Judi’s Room” in the subject heading. A recording of this event will later be posted on MFI’s official YouTube channel.