WATERTOWN, NY – Jefferson Rehabilitation Center is joining more than 50 other nonprofit agencies to communicate the impact of public policy on employment for people with disabilities at the SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., June 11-14. SourceAmerica is a 501(c)(3) national leader in disability employment and choices.
Each year, SourceAmerica hosts nonprofit leadership, self-advocates, and family members for training sessions on how to tell their stories and advocate for better employment options for people with disabilities.
Jeff Files will be joining Howard Ganter, Executive Director at the SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference. Jeff has been with the JRC a number of years and has worked in varied settings to include the JRC Workshop to competitive employment. He has been working on the Federal Contract at the Central Issue Facility for over 15 years and been an employee of JRC for 28 years.
“The SourceAmerica Federal contract allows me to work in a job that pays good and has good benefits. It also allows me to serve my country as I was not able to join the military directly. Just because we are disabled does not mean we cannot learn varied jobs, it may just take a little longer” states Jeff.
These legislative visits remind lawmakers that the work they do in Washington affect the economy and livelihood of their home districts’ constituents.
“We look forward to bringing these men and women to Capitol Hill so they can tell their personal stories and help shape their legislators’ disability employment decisions,” said SourceAmerica Vice President of Government Affairs John Kelly. “It’s really powerful for the self-advocates to make those connections, have their voices heard and affect policy at a personal and national level. “
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Jefferson Rehabilitation Center
Founded in Watertown in 1954, the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center (JRC) has provided programs and services to hundreds of children and adults in Jefferson County who are developmentally disabled. Much has changed since the agency was launched in the basement of a church by a group of farsighted parents.
Today, JRC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation employing over 650 staff members and serving more than 1000 individuals and their families each year. JRC provides a wide range of services that are designed to enhance the quality of life and maximize the potential of persons with disabilities through education, vocational opportunities, training, residential services, inclusion, and advocacy in a community-based setting. A dedicated staff of medical, educational and therapeutic professionals, and specially trained direct care personnel provide the necessary support and training to the individuals they serve.
SourceAmerica
Established in 1974, SourceAmerica creates job opportunities for a skilled and dedicated workforce of people with significant disabilities. SourceAmerica is the vital link between the federal government and private sector organizations that procure the products and services provided by this exceptional workforce via a network of more than 700 community-based nonprofits. Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, SourceAmerica provides its nonprofit agency network with business development, contract management, legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology support, engineering and technical assistance, and extensive professional training needed for successful nonprofit management. SourceAmerica is an AbilityOne-authorized enterprise.