SourceAmerica

We're so proud of the progress made in our partnership with Aspiritech to effectively train AI to aid TSA officers in searching bags. You can learn more about the technology and the hard work of the data experts in the link below!

Tis the season to be traveling! And traveling safe!

Thanks to our partnership with ANC and SourceAmerica we have helped to train AI by annotating thousands of TSA images in order to implement AI-powered technology in airport national security. The goal is for TSA officers to leverage technology which allows them to focus on bags presenting measurable risks.

Our trained data experts—all of whom are on the autism spectrum—go through specialized training by ANC as well as a security-vetting process, as it is our job to be "teachers" to the machine learning tech.

To learn more about the future of TSA tech and our AI training program, download our case study here! https://hubs.li/Q02byyTF0

Congratulations to Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) on becoming a new Congressional Champion!

We are thrilled to welcome Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) as the newest AbilityOne Congressional Champion! ServiceSource Executive Vice President Dennis Dapolito, Delaware Regional Executive Director Michele Mirabella, and senior staff presented her with the official plaque on Capitol Hill. Thanks to Chimes International’s Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy, Bud DeFlaviis, and SourceAmerica’s VP Government Affairs, Rick Terrazas, for joining us for the presentation.

Thank you, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, for your commitment to promoting disability employment through the AbilityOne Program. We appreciate our longstanding relationship with the Congresswoman who has supported many of our community events over the years. Most recently, she wrote personalized congratulatory letters to ServiceSource Delaware’s 2023 Service Excellence Awards (SEA) recipients. We look forward to continuing to work with her in the spirit of building .

It’s and we’re spotlighting the work that members of our nonprofit network do in the food products, processing, packaging, and distribution industries. Through our network and a dedicated workforce of people with disabilities, we’ve received numerous recognitions and awards for our quality service. You can learn more at: https://bit.ly/46z2c6R.

Almost all respondents (93%) of our recent Employment Inclusion Survey think that the government and private sector should actively support employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

One way for the federal government to contribute is by setting a one percent procurement contracting goal for the AbilityOne Program. This would require all federal agencies to spend at least one percent of their federal contracting budgets on goods and services from AbilityOne authorized providers. Read our blog post to learn more: https://bit.ly/3SYleAw.

Congratulations on 19 years at The Abilities Connection - TAC, Shawn! Thank you for all of your hard work!

Talent Spotlight: Shawn!
Shawn has been at TAC for 19 years. 🎉 He's worked in a few different areas of our Cargo Net Manufacturing team over the years, learning new skills. Shawn is most proud of learning how to sew the straps. Shawn said his favorite part of the job is knowing that he is helping the United States Air Force. Keep up the good work, Shawn!
SourceAmerica

Our employment resources are designed to help people with disabilities, including veterans, connect with job opportunities, trainings, mentorship programs, and more. You can find specialized employment resources for people with disabilities and veterans at https://bit.ly/3kVoTe0

Congratulations to Congresswoman Stephanie Bice on becoming a new Congressional Champion!

This month is and it's a great time for anyone to focus on their future career plans. However, nearly 70% of working-age people with disabilities do not have jobs. We believe that every person with a disability should have an equal opportunity for a stable job with competitive pay and advancement opportunities. Learn even more about our career resources for people with disabilities here: https://bit.ly/3Gb6giN

Congratulations to Senator Ted Budd on becoming a new Congressional Champion!

There are many ways employers can take action to make the workplace a more inclusive place for employees with disabilities. In the Employment Inclusion Survey we conducted this year, respondents with and without disabilities identified their preferred ways that employers can promote accessibility and inclusion in the workplace. To see more results from our survey, visit: https://bit.ly/450WUjW

We're celebrating New Leaf Inc. for being named Medium Non-Profit Employer of the Year by the Washington state Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment! Did you know that New Leaf holds the oldest active federal service contract in the country under the Program?

Learn more about some of the hard-working employees at New Leaf in this Whidbey News-Times article: https://bit.ly/3MFRuEE

New Leaf’s unsung heroes work behind the scenes | Whidbey News-Times On Oct. 6, New Leaf won the Medium Non-Profit Employer of the Year Award.

We are proud to work with authorized providers like Peckham Inc. to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including veterans, across the United States.

Veterans Day honors generations of men and women who have served our country. Peckham's commitment to honor our nation's patriots is reflected in our efforts to recruit, train, and retain veterans. This is especially true in our 3PL & Fulfillment line of business, where 22% of staff and 8% of team members have served in the armed forces. Watch this video to learn more about the great work that our veterans and others with disabilities and barriers to employment do to provide services to both government and commercial clients.
On Veterans Day, and every day, we thank veterans for their sacrifice in serving our country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dafjVj_CZ7s

Congratulations to Representatives Aaron Bean and John Rutherford for their recognition as outstanding advocates for the employment of people with disabilities by Challenge Enterprises of North Florida Inc. We are thankful for their steadfast commitment to constituents with disabilities and the Program!

🌟 Celebrating Champions of Disability Employment! 🌟

In a heartwarming ceremony held on October 30, 2023, Representatives Aaron Bean and John Rutherford of Jacksonville were lauded as true heroes in the mission for disability employment. 🏆 Their unwavering commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities was acknowledged by Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Inc. and SourceAmerica, who honored them during National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month. Read more at https://www.challengeenterprises.org/jacksonville-congressmen-honored-as-champions-of-disability-employment/

Kylie Moore, the Special Projects Coordinator at the Bobby Dodd Institute is also a devoted advocate for the disability community. At the SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference this year, Kylie spoke about the "benefits cliff" that many people with disabilities face when they seek employment while on government benefits. You can read more about her experiences at Grassroots as well as her knowledge and experiences of disability employment in her blog post below.

Navigating the Benefits Cliff: The Challenges of Working While Having a Disability - BDI To live independently, individuals with disabilities need access to the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers. These opportunities include but are not limited to physical, social, and economic freedom. An essential first step towards securing independence is finding meaningful employment an...

We are so excited that Stacey Buckner of ServiceSource is one of the Top 10 Finalists for the CNN Heroes Hero of the Year Award! Stacey provides essential services for homeless and at-risk veterans out of her own Jeep, including mobile showers, laundry services, clothing, meals, and more. Congratulations, Stacey!

Did you know that only 21% of people with disabilities have jobs? Many people with disabilities who want to join the workforce often face barriers to accessibility and inclusion. Supporting people with disabilities throughout the entire job process, from hiring to the workplace, leads to a more diverse, profitable, and equitable workforce. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3Qn8em7

Thank you for sharing the lovely art from your team members Palmetto Goodwill! The talent, creativity, and hard work showcased in this Art Show is amazing!

In a recent national survey we conducted, 43 percent of all respondents believed that people with disabilities are not given equal opportunities for employment and advancement in the workplace. Even as National Disability Employment Awareness Month draws to a close, remember that the contributions of people with disabilities are integral to a healthier and more productive economy.

Learn more about the survey findings here: https://www.sourceamerica.org/who-we-are/employment-inclusion-survey.

It's so wonderful to see Sisay Senbet and Rachel Payne of Didlake, Inc. on WDVM to discuss Sisay's employment story and Didlake's commitment to creating job opportunities for people with disabilities through the program!

Last month during the Celebration of Stories event at our 2023 Grassroots Conference, self-advocates from across the U.S. shared their employment experiences, interests, personal journeys, and how the Program has impacted their lives. We applaud the hard work and achievements of these self-advocates! Watch the video here: https://bit.ly/3FspoZh



Relay Resources, The Kennedy Collective, Challenge Enterprises, Goodwill San Antonio, ServiceSource, Challenge Unlimited, Inc. - An AbilityOne Provider, TRDI: Training, Rehabilitation & Development Institute, WORK Inc.

2023 Celebration of Stories Highlights | Grassroots Advocacy Conference During SourceAmerica’s 2023 Grassroots Advocacy Conference, self-advocates, nonprofit leaders, and policy experts gathered in Washington, D.C. to discuss iss...

We're so glad you could attend our Grassroots Advocacy Conference last month SOAR365! Thank you Leroy for sharing your experiences during the conference and to the whole SOAR 365 team for advocating for disability employment!

Congrats to BAC for one year of the Tier 1 Call Center! We're so proud of the entire team for their hard work and dedication!

Waking up to find out your phone didn't charge all the way can be frustrating, just like searching for a job that fits your skills, yet no one will hire you or give you the support you need.

We are committed to finding and creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Learn more about how we connect businesses and employees to inclusive hiring resources at: https://bit.ly/3kVoTe0

As we continue to celebrate this month, we're spotlighting two of our network NPAs (nonprofit agencies) who truly exemplify expanding and improving disability employment: Job Squad Inc. and Human Technologies Corporation. We applaud their ongoing commitment and actions that support the 2023 NDEAM theme: "Advancing Access and Equity."

You can read more about both organizations here: https://bit.ly/46vRChR

NDEAM Spotlight: Celebrating NPAs That Advance Access and Equity | SourceAmerica® NDEAM Spotlight: Celebrating NPAs That Advance Access and Equity By Beth Lacourse • 10/16/2023 In honor of 2023 National Disability Employment Awareness Month, in October and all year long, SourceAmerica® celebrates the accomplishments of our network NPAs and their employees with disabilities. Th...

Thanks for sharing Opportunity Village! We're proud to see Fabio succeed in his employment through the program!

Shout out to Fabio for keeping things looking great at the Lloyd George Federal Courthouse building! Jobs like this one are made possible through Opportunity Village thanks to the AbilityOne SourceAmerica program and we couldn’t be happier having these opportunities for people to excel in!

https://www.opportunityvillage.org/business-services/abilityone

image: someone in a blue shirt standing in front of a large set of double doors.

Thanks for sharing Job One! We are so proud of Ernest's successes.

🧡Get to know Ernest! 21 years ago, he joined the Job One family and 7 years ago, he accepted a position at an AbilityOne site. He works at the Federal Aviation Administration in their mailroom.
💙One of Ernests's greatest AbilityOne experiences was visiting Washington DC at the SourceAmerica Grassroots Conference where he got to meet Senator Claire McCaskill and was able to share with her everything he loves about Job One.

" I want to thank Job One for opening the door to AbilityOne and getting to work in the mailroom... and GO CHIEFS!"


SourceAmerica

Anthony Lipari made a major career shift when he began training to work in the Tier One Call Center at BAC.

He was paralyzed on one side of his body at age four, and not wanting to give up, he worked hard to relearn how to speak and walk. He eventually became a chef for 27 years, but after experiencing increased pain in his left arm, he knew he needed a career change. Watch and read more about Anthony's story here: https://bit.ly/46Fk5RU

Anthony Lipari | SourceAmerica® Anthony Lipari BAC Customer Care Representative BAC / Rockledge, FL Watch Video: Anthony Lipari, Customer Care Representative, BAC, Rockledge, FL. When Anthony Lipari started training to work at a Tier One Call Center at the Brevard Achievement Center (BAC), he knew nothing about computers, which we...

As National Disability Employment Awareness Month is recognized across the U.S. this October, SourceAmerica’s Chief Operating Officer Wes Tyler shares insights into current employment trends, the importance of hiring people with disabilities, and the value of the Program. You can read more on our blog: https://bit.ly/3LPRSjz

A Winning Proposition: Increasing Disability Employment | SourceAmerica® A Winning Proposition: Increasing Disability Employment By Wes Tyler • 09/26/2023 As National Disability Employment Awareness Month is recognized across the U.S. this October, SourceAmerica’s Chief Operating Officer Wes Tyler shares insights into current employment trends, the importance of hiri...

What an amazing opportunity! Congratulations to Challenge Unlimited, Inc. - An AbilityOne Provider for their partnership with Nestlé IT to develop opportunities and skills training programs for people with disabilities.

Did you know? There are 32 million adults with disabilities and only 21% of them are employed. That leaves a population the size of Texas without employment.

In SourceAmerica's commitment to establishing more inclusive and meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, we created the Job Board to connect users to jobs, skills assessments, training, and more – all in one place. You can visit the Job Board here to learn more: https://bit.ly/3cxc2Qx

Throughout October, we're celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month, also known as NDEAM. Join us in spotlighting America's most underutilized workforce – people with disabilities. Read more about SourceAmerica's commitment to NDEAM here: https://www.sourceamerica.org/newsroom/feature-stories/celebrating-national-disability-employment-awareness-month

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month | SourceAmerica® Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month By Barbara Pierce • 09/29/2023 Throughout October, the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy will recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a focus on advancing access and equity. SourceAmerica wi...

Thank you for sharing Robert's story! We are proud to work with authorized providers like Opportunity Village to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities across the United States.

Through our AbilityOne SourceAmerica program, Opportunity Village provides general custodial services at the Bureau of Reclamation in Boulder City.

Among those employed through OV and fulfilling these services is Robert, who has been working at this site since 2017. Over the past six years, Robert has continuously demonstrated a strong work ethic, taking pride in his work performance every day.

One of Robert’s greatest accomplishments through this employment opportunity is having the ability to drive his own vehicle to and from the work location nightly.

Creating opportunities like this are another reason why inclusive employment options are so important.

https://www.opportunityvillage.org/business-services/abilityone

image: a person in a blue shirt and grey baseball hat cleaning the surface of large tables in a cafeteria dining room.

We recently conducted a national survey to directly compare how American employees with and without disabilities view diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) efforts, workplace inclusion and barriers, and accessibility to employment opportunities. Click below to view key results from the survey and you can read more results on our website: https://bit.ly/450WUjW.

What an exciting look into the Mayport Naval Station and the hard-working team at Challenge Enterprises! Thank you for sharing the impact that the Program has on creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

On Aug. 9, 2023, Congressman Rutherford joined Challenge Enterprises' Shipboard Logistics Team for a ride-along at Mayport Naval Station. This firsthand look highlighted the transformative impact of the Source America AbilityOne program, empowering individuals with abilities in his district. 🚢💪 Read more at https://www.challengeenterprises.org/congressman-john-rutherford-joins-challenge-enterprises-at-mayport-naval-base/

Thanks for sharing Mark's story, Beacon Group! We're so proud of the impact that the Program has on creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Mark Maluwelfil was hired as an Administrative Assistant Lead at JITC Fort Huachuca through Beacon’s SourceAmerica AbilityOne program where he’s worked since 2020. His work includes a variety of jobs such as supervising the security desk, working as a printer technician, and he prides himself on being the onsite expert on all things mail-related.

The AbilityOne program helps people with disabilities like Mark obtain and retain meaningful jobs in the community, while at the same time providing federal customers, government and military agencies with high quality services and products.