Disability Rights Advocacy Groups Support Hoyer's Bipartisan American Procurement Improvement Act
WASHINGTON, DC – A coalition of 51 organizations, unions, disability stakeholders, and advocacy groups have endorsed H.R. 10443, the American Procurement Improvement Act (APIA), bipartisan legislation which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Pete Sessions (TX-17). Following the bill's introduction, many leaders have expressed their support for the bill:
“SourceAmerica supports the American Procurement Improvement Act of 2026 as it advances priorities long sought by groups seeking to drive continued improvements within the AbilityOne Program,” said Richard Belden, SourceAmerica President and CEO. “AbilityOne is a proven model that strengthens the American workforce, supports the domestic supply chain and helps federal agencies deliver on their missions. We sincerely thank Reps. Hoyer and Sessions and the other cosponsors for choosing to make the protection and growth of AbilityOne Program employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, including veterans, a priority.”
“People with disabilities deserve access to good jobs that provide fair wages, meaningful benefits, opportunities to develop new skills, and a pathway to advance in their careers. AAPD appreciates Representatives Steny Hoyer and Pete Sessions for their leadership in introducing this bipartisan legislation and for recognizing that modernizing AbilityOne must go hand in hand with expanding economic opportunity for people with disabilities. We look forward to working with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure the program continues to create high-quality employment opportunities where people with disabilities can build careers, achieve economic independence, and thrive,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).
"Businesses lose access to talented individuals who could strengthen their workforce and improve performance when they dismiss the millions of Americans with disabilities who are ready to contribute, lead, and succeed. This legislation will modernize the AbilityOne program to ensure that people with disabilities have the same thing everyone else needs to thrive in employment: A chance,” said Former Congressman Tony Coelho (CA-15) and lead sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“The AbilityOne program has shown what is possible when we connect federal procurement with the talents and potential of people with significant disabilities. The American Procurement Improvement Act gives that successful model the tools it needs to evolve with today’s workforce, creating more opportunities for people to enter the workforce, advance their careers, and take on new responsibilities. This legislation will help ensure that AbilityOne continues to open doors to meaningful employment and economic independence for generations to come,” said Larysa Kautz, President and CEO of the Melwood Family of Companies.
“Since our founding in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind has worked to improve employment opportunities for blind Americans. We greatly appreciate the work of Representatives Steny Hoyer and Pete Sessions to advance the American Procurement Improvement Act of 2026, H.R. 10443, which will advance this goal. This bill will dramatically modernize the AbilityOne program by promoting upward mobility, professional development, and career counseling for blind and disabled employees on AbilityOne contracts," said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind.
"I urge Congress vote to enact the implementation of the American Procurement Improvement Act of 2026. I am a Disability Rights Leader and Business Leader; I also live with epilepsy. I have expertise on the employment of people with disabilities, and the APIA would substantially improve the lives of the unemployed Americans with disabilities and provide them with dignity and quality of life. I believe the APIA would enable them to gain the greatest treasure-employment. Remember, the unemployment of Americans with disabilities touches us all and the APIA gives me hope that change will come,” said Joyce Bender, CEO and Founder of Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
"The AbilityOne program is essential to supporting our nation’s warfighters. The American Procurement Improvement Act enhances Program contributions to total force readiness and accelerates our mission to provide empowering, fulfilling employment for individuals with disabilities across the nation," said Retired U.S. Army Major General Tony Cucolo, President and CEO of Professional Contract Services, Inc (PCSI).
“For decades the AbilityOne Program has demonstrated how the government can leverage its purchasing power to create jobs for Americans with disabilities,” said Bartholomew Devon, Executive Director of the Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce. “This legislation will help create new opportunities for career growth, enhance professional development, and promote economic independence for employees with disabilities. The members of the Alliance are grateful to Representatives Hoyer and Sessions for their bipartisan leadership and for recognizing the extraordinary contributions disabled Americans make to our nation’s economy and our communities.”
Full text of the bill can be found here.
The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (MS-04), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Mark Amodei (NV-02).
The APIA is endorsed by: American Association of People with Disabilities, SourceAmerica, National Council of SourceAmerica Employers, CEO Commission for Disability Employment, Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce, The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Arc of the United States, National Organization on Disability, National Down Syndrome Society, National Disability Rights Network, National Federation of the Blind, Melwood Inc., PCSI, Tessera, Didlake, Alula, Peckham, WORK Inc., ORC Industries, ACCSES, Advocations, Challenge Unlimited, Inc., Employment Source, Global Connections to Employment, Opportunity Center, Inc., PARC, Assets, Inc., ServiceSource, Speak Foundation, Health Hats, Access Ready Inc, Whistleblowers of America, The American Association of Kidney Patients, SEIU, Bender Consulting, Goodwill South Florida, CommunicationFIRST, ACHIEVE Human Services, Inc., Bobby Dodd Institute, Workability International, Chimes International, Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc., Human Technologies, InspiriTec, PORTCO Inc, PRIDE Industries, Phoenix, Pueblo Diversified Industries, Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE), and Eggleston Services.