FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jewelyn Cosgrove, [email protected]
Upper Marlboro, Md. — Melwood, a leading employer of people with disabilities and a longtime AbilityOne federal contractor, today announced its support for the American Procurement Improvement Act of 2026. This groundbreaking legislation will modernize the nearly 90-year-old AbilityOne Program to meet the needs of our modern labor market, expanding opportunities and creating greater pathways to careers for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.
For decades, AbilityOne has demonstrated the power of federal procurement to create meaningful employment. Today, more than 41,000 people, including approximately 2,500 veterans, are employed through the program, building skills, earning wages, and contributing to mission-critical products and services for the federal government.
The American Procurement Improvement Act modernizes outdated workforce requirements that can limit employment growth and career advancement within the AbilityOne Program. By reducing the direct labor hour ratio to better reflect today’s workforce and allowing qualified employees with significant disabilities serving in supervisory and leadership positions to be counted toward program requirements, the legislation removes barriers that can discourage promotion and professional development.
These changes will help AbilityOne nonprofit agencies like Melwood create more employment opportunities, strengthen workforce integration, and provide greater flexibility to adapt to the changing federal procurement landscape, while maintaining AbilityOne’s core mission of employing people who are blind or have significant disabilities.
“The AbilityOne Program is the single most significant source of employment opportunities for Americans with significant disabilities, helping people build careers, gain financial independence, and contribute their talents to our nation’s workforce. The American Procurement Improvement Act honors that successful foundation while positioning the program to expand the quality, diversity, and availability of jobs for a population that is still largely shut out of the labor market. By expanding access to training, upskilling, and a broader range of career opportunities, this legislation will help ensure that people with disabilities are not merely included in the workforce, but empowered to thrive and grow throughout their careers,” said Larysa Kautz, President & CEO of Melwood.
“The AbilityOne Program gave me more than a job. It gave me the chance to grow, take on new responsibilities, and build a career I’m proud of,” said Melwood Enterprises Employee Antjuane Bridgers. “I started as a custodian, and today I’m a foreman at the Washington Navy Yard, leading a team and helping mentor others as they grow in their own careers. That journey wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities and support I’ve received through Melwood and AbilityOne.”
Melwood applauds Reps. Steny Hoyer and Pete Sessions for introducing forward-looking legislation that will modernize a proven employment program that has created meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities while supporting critical government missions. By strengthening and modernizing one of the nation’s longest-standing pathways to employment for Americans with significant disabilities, we can ensure the federal government continues to leverage its power to create meaningful employment, support career growth and strengthen the workforce while delivering the high-quality products and services our nation relies on. Melwood looks forward to working with Congress to pass this important piece of legislation.
Read the stories of Melwood Enterprises employees who have benefited from the AbilityOne Program here.
About Melwood
Melwood is a family of companies with a shared vision of a world where people with disabilities are fully included. Melwood comprises multiple companies—Melwood Inc. Melwood Enterprises, Humanim, Melwood Community Services, and Melwood Community Development Corporation—together serving as one of the nation’s leading advocates, service providers, and employers of people with disabilities and their caregivers. Through a comprehensive range of services, the Melwood Family of Companies helps more than 6,000 individuals build skills, access opportunity, and live with greater independence across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia each year. Learn more at www.melwood.org.
About Melwood Enterprises
Melwood Enterprises delivers top-tier business solutions to public and private sector clients across more than 70 locations in the D.C. region and across the mid-Atlantic, while expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Boasting a team of seasoned performers, industry-respected certifications, unparalleled retention rates, and excellence in long-standing contracts, Melwood Enterprises delivers satisfaction, stability, and exceptional return on investment. For more information about Melwood Enterprises, a part of the Melwood family of companies, visit www.MelwoodEnterprises.org.
