From Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 19, Brevard Achievement Center (BAC) President and CEO, Amar Patel, along with Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB) Associate, Joel T., a shelf stocker at the commissary, and Joel’s mother, Jean will attend the 2014 SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. All travel-related expenses will be paid by SourceAmerica.
The invitation to attend is a considerable honor for BAC because it provides an opportunity for persons with disabilities and their parents to meet and discuss the AbilityOne program with members of Congress serving on Congressional Committees that have jurisdiction on legislation that can significantly impact people with disabilities and their independence. The overall conference will be a multi-faceted strategy between agencies like BAC, SourceAmerica staff and Board members, as well as the National Council on Special Education (NCSE) to educate these key members of Congress about the AbilityOne program and its positive impact on people with disabilities.
In addition to the AbilityOne program, Patel will address members of Congress about the importance of maintaining the use of piece-rate wage certificates (DOL Section 14c), as well as the impact Department of Justice rulings related to the Employment First approach have had on persons with disabilities. Most importantly, these face-to-face meetings with key members of Congress will help ensure that the 113th Congress legislates from first-hand knowledge.
For more information about SourceAmerica or the AbilityOne program, visit sourceamerica.org.