SourceAmerica Defends AbilityOne Program to Federal Council

Between 2022 and 2025, the AbilityOne workforce grew from 32,652 to 37,407 participants. During the same period, average hourly wages rose from $16.43 to $19.68. These figures, presented to the National Council on Disability, serve as a direct response to earlier council reports that SourceAmerica executives described as containing inaccurate information regarding the program's efficacy.

Richard Belden, president and CEO of SourceAmerica, attributed this resilience to the program’s procurement-based structure. Despite post-pandemic disruptions and commercial wage competition, the network facilitated 8,800 promotions and helped approximately 6,000 employees transition into community-based positions. Beyond job placement, the organization highlighted its shift away from 14(c) wage practices, confirming that its 14(c) Transition program has successfully assisted 100 nonprofit agencies in adopting new compensation standards since the 2023 regulatory changes.