Sixty employees with disabilities and nonprofit leaders descended on Washington this week to press lawmakers on closing the nation’s stark employment gap. Through the Grassroots Advocacy Conference, participants are leveraging personal success stories to demonstrate how federal contracts for American-made goods foster both economic growth and government efficiency.
The four-day event, organized by the nonprofit SourceAmerica, focuses on the AbilityOne Program, which connects individuals with disabilities—including veterans—to federal product and service contracts. Advocates are using the platform to highlight a significant disparity in the labor market: while 65.2% of people without disabilities are currently employed, that figure drops to just 22.8% for those with disabilities according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Beyond personal testimony, the group is presenting data to underscore the program's fiscal utility. In fiscal year 2025, the network generated $822 million in wages for employees with disabilities, while providing an estimated $191 million in annual savings for federal benefit programs. The program currently yields a $2.66 return for every dollar spent on administration, with some metrics 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," said Richard Belden, SourceAmerica’s president and CEO. The conference also features an educational fair showcasing "Made in America" products, noting that 91% of goods manufactured within the network are produced entirely domestically. U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker is set to keynote the event, emphasizing the broader impact of workplace integration.
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