Celebrating 80 Years of Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities in America

SourceAmerica Commemorates 80 Years of NDEAM

As October approaches, it brings with it National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time dedicated to recognizing the contributions of American workers with disabilities. This year, SourceAmerica®, a national nonprofit organization, proudly marks its significant 80 years of advocacy for disability employment, especially emphasizing the longstanding impacts of its AbilityOne® Program.

Since its inception, SourceAmerica has been at the forefront of integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce, facilitating access to meaningful job opportunities through federal contracts. With recent statistics revealing that around 70 million U.S. adults report having a disability, the importance of NDEAM has become increasingly pertinent.

During the month of October, federal and private sector employers are encouraged to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of those with disabilities. Richard Belden, president and CEO of SourceAmerica, expressed his commitment, stating, "SourceAmerica is proud to support this milestone celebration through its continued effort to expand opportunities for meaningful employment for workers with disabilities." He remarked on the immense contributions these workers make to various sectors, including military readiness and the production of American-made products.

Currently, SourceAmerica partners with over 500 nonprofit organizations, employing approximately 59,000 individuals with disabilities across the country. Impressively, nearly 36,000 of these workers are directly engaged in AbilityOne contracts, earning an average wage of $18.96 per hour. This not only highlights their financial independence but also showcases the quality of services and products they can provide to the federal government.

SourceAmerica remains firm in its commitment to decreasing the unemployment rate within this demographic, which currently stands at 8.1% for working-age individuals with disabilities, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. By advocating for more inclusive hiring practices and continuing to bridge the gap between these workers and job opportunities, SourceAmerica is dedicated to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are seen as valuable assets in the labor market.

This October, SourceAmerica encourages businesses across various industries to take actionable steps towards recognizing the priceless skills of workers with disabilities. It’s a call to acknowledge their talents, celebrate their successes, and strive for continued progress in creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

To learn more about how people with disabilities impact military readiness and the essential services they offer to the federal government, visit AmericaIsMadeHere.org.

About SourceAmerica

SourceAmerica is a national nonprofit organization that administers the AbilityOne Program, which is designed to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through federal product and service contracts. We act as a connector between our network of contractors and federal customers, providing necessary resources and support to navigate the AbilityOne Program effectively. To learn more about our mission and initiatives, visit SourceAmerica.org and follow us on social media platforms like Facebook, X.com (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.