July 30, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 129 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    SUPPORT FOR ABILITY ONE PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2019

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the outstanding 
work of the AbilityOne Program, which empowers Americans with 
disabilities and helps bring them into the workforce. The AbilityOne 
Program promotes exemplary public-private partnerships to employ 
Americans with significant disabilities, including veterans and the 
blind. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment 
rate for Americans with disabilities is more than double the rate for 
those without disabilities. To address this disparity, the AbilityOne 
Program creates high-quality employment opportunities for disabled 
Americans and empowers them to fully participate in the workforce and 
their communities. AbilityOne helps employ more than 45,000 disabled 
Americans, helping them develop the skills and work experience they 
need to access public and private sector jobs, achieve greater 
independence, and lead productive, fulfilling lives. And the program 
helps the federal government support these individuals and empower them 
through employment.
  Last March, I had the opportunity to see the success of AbilityOne 
Program firsthand in my district when I visited TRI Industries in 
Vernon Hills, Illinois. TRI is a non-profit that remanufactures ink and 
toner cartridges for the federal government. TRI provides education, 
training, and jobs to individuals with disabilities in my district. 
Touring their facility and speaking with the staff, I saw the great 
opportunities AbilityOne provides and the impact this program can have 
on the lives of Americans with disabilities.
  On behalf of my constituents with disabilities, I rise to salute the 
significant contributions of the AbilityOne Program, and I support all 
persons committed to developing and advancing employment opportunities 
for the blind and Americans with other significant disabilities.

                          ____________________