WASHINGTON (December 14, 2023) — Today, the Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce (AEAW), a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization focused on modernizing federal procurement processes for disability employment, announced five new members. The new members – Eggleston Inc., PRIDE Industries, InspiriTec Inc., EPSI and Soar365 – bring firsthand experience in federal contracting and disability employment and training programs to the Alliance and will play a key role in advocating for modernizing the federal government’s procurement process, direct hiring practices, and policies to expand opportunities for people with disabilities.
“AEAW’s newest members have decades of experience working on these issues,” said Dwight Davis, President of AEAW and President of Global Connections to Employment (GCE). “By joining our effort to advocate for disability employment with a unified voice, we will create greater opportunities for people with disabilities and expand America’s workforce.”
“Joining AEAW allows PRIDE Industries to collaborate with like-minded organizations, strengthening the advocacy for people with disabilities,” said Jeff Dern, President and CEO at PRIDE Industries. “Through this Alliance, there's a greater potential to influence policies, expand programs and ultimately create a more inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities seeking employment.”
“SOAR365’s programs aim to help every adult with disabilities who wants a job, workplace experience, or career preparation. From Youth Services and Adult Day Support to our Business Solutions contracts and Supported Employment, we’re making a difference each day, and we’re looking forward to contributing to the Alliance and its goals to improve the state of disability employment,” said John Walker, President & CEO of SOAR365.
“EPSI strives to reduce the astoundingly high percentage (70%) of Americans with disabilities who do not have jobs,” said Stephan Saia, CEO of EPSI. “We don’t simply find work for people with disabilities; we seek out people with disabilities who want to become part of the workforce. We train them on contract needs. We give them a job of which they can be proud - something we all deserve. That’s why we look forward to our work with the Alliance and strengthening our collective voice to foster real change for the betterment of the disability community.”
“At Eggleston, we’re focused on creating opportunities for people with disabilities in Hampton Roads to thrive,” said Harrison Misewicz, President of Eggleston. “Employment is the key to unlocking potential for anyone, disability or no disability. Employment brings independence. It brings community. It brings possibility. Employment is what empowers people to set their own goals and pursue them. Eggleston is proud to join the Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce because we believe the future of employment has to be inclusive.”
“InspiriTec’s pioneering approach to supporting meaningful employment for people with disabilities, including veterans with disabilities, in contact centers and IT professions gives us a unique perspective on modernizing disability employment law,” said John Connolly, Founder, President and CEO of InspiriTec. “We are eager to collaborate with our peers across the Alliance and add our voice to this important collective advancing thoughtful and grounded improvements to disability employment.”
These five members will join AEAW founding members ServiceSource, Melwood, Didlake, GCE, and TVS in setting the direction of the Alliance. The Alliance continues to seek members interested in employment issues, federal procurement, and the greater disability community. For more information on the Alliance and to learn how to apply, visit www.expandingamericasworkforce.org.
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About Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce
The Alliance for Expanding America's Workforce (AEAW) is dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities by modernizing the federal government’s procurement process, direct hiring practices, and policies. Federal procurement is a powerful socio-economic tool that can maximize employment opportunities for people with disabilities and increase economic stability. To fully realize the employment potential for adults with disabilities, greater coordination across government programs and policies is essential.