COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Thousands of Ohio adults with developmental disabilities earn less than the minimum wage — a situation that critics say exploits workers and supporters say provides more opportunities for the disabled to have jobs.

At least 14,600 disabled Ohioans make less than the minimum wage, and the number is likely much higher, but wage information is not public in 18 of Ohio's 88 counties, The Columbus Dispatch reported. The newspaper analyzed federal wage documents from 69 of the 70 counties that support workers with developmental disabilities through taxpayer-funded agencies and operate employment centers.

A provision in the federal wage law allows employers to pay less than minimum wage if adults have disabilities limiting their productivity, the newspaper reported in the first two parts of a series that began Sunday.