SourceAmerica, Self-Advocates Celebrate Disability Employment with Lawmakers

• Sixty self-advocates with disabilities, including veterans, and nonprofit leaders gather in Washington, D.C., September 14-17 to meet directly with lawmakers and celebrate their employment success through the AbilityOne Program.
• Targeting the gap in employment rates between 22.8% of people with disabilities and 65.2% of people without disabilities, SourceAmerica's network delivered $822 million in FY25 wages and a $2.66 ROI for every $1 spent to administer the AbilityOne Program.
• The Grassroots Advocacy Conference features an educational fair on Capitol Hill, highlighting America250 and key federal services and products that are Made in America.

VIENNA, Va., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SourceAmerica^®, a national nonprofit that helps administer the AbilityOne^® Program to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities including veterans through federal product and service contracts, today opens its annual Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.

During the four-day event, approximately 60 employees with disabilities ("self-advocates"), their families and leaders from nonprofit agencies across the nation will meet with members of Congress and their legislative staff to share their employment and personal success stories. Attendees highlight how the AbilityOne Program serves as a bipartisan solution for economic growth, government efficiency and increased American manufacturing.

In 2025, only 22.8% of people with disabilities were employed, compared to 65.2% of people without disabilities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Grassroots Advocacy Conference offers self-advocates a direct platform to share their personal employment journeys with members of Congress to help close this employment gap and create a stronger federal workforce. In FY25 alone, SourceAmerica's network paid $822 million in wages to people with disabilities on AbilityOne contracts, generating tax revenue and saving an estimated $191 million annually on federal benefit programs. Furthermore, for every $1 spent to administer the Program, the average return on investment is $2.66 — reaching as high as $4.40.

"Each year, our Grassroots Advocacy Conference brings self-advocates face-to-face with the lawmakers who shape the policies affecting their lives and careers. Their stories are often the most persuasive in the room," said Richard Belden, president and CEO of SourceAmerica. "We're grateful to the members of Congress who take the time to discuss this issue as SourceAmerica remains committed to advocating for employment opportunities for people with disabilities through the AbilityOne Program."

During the event, lawmakers and Capitol Hill staff will also have the opportunity to visit SourceAmerica's Disability Employment Educational Fair, featuring SourceAmerica's sponsorship of America250 that showcases Made in America products manufactured by AbilityOne employees. Currently, 91% of AbilityOne products manufactured in SourceAmerica's network are wholly Made in America, and 98% are made entirely in America or compliant with the Buy American Act or Trade Agreements Act.

The 2026 conference will also feature U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker as the keynote speaker, who will share her message on the transformative impact of employment for people with disabilities. Additionally, self-advocates, including veterans with disabilities, will have an opportunity to take the stage during the Celebration of Stories to share their personal employment experiences with other self-advocates and employees of nonprofit agencies in SourceAmerica's network, showcasing how meaningful employment opportunities have had a positive impact on their lives.

Reference to federal officials do not imply endorsement by the federal government.

For more information about the 2026 Grassroots Advocacy Conference, visit: sourceamerica.org/get-involved/public-policy/grassroots-advocacy-events.

About SourceAmerica

SourceAmerica is a national nonprofit that helps administer the AbilityOne Program – a program that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through federal product and service contracts. We are a bridge between our network contractors and federal customers, providing the resources and support they need to successfully navigate the AbilityOne Program. To learn more, visit SourceAmerica.org and follow @SourceAmerica on Facebook, X.com (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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