Washington Advocacy Conference includes Representatives from Employment Horizons, Inc.

Approximately 150 participants nationwide from 45 nonprofit agencies serving people with disabilities convened at SourceAmerica’s Grassroots Advocacy Conference which took place June 13-16 in Washington, D.C. The three-day conference provided an opportunity for Employment Horizons, a local not for profit providing job training and placement to individuals with disabilities, to engage in a variety of grassroots advocacy activities to educate members of Congress on disability employment issues and the importance of various legislative efforts fostering an inclusive work culture.

Representing Employment Horizons as a self-advocate was Colin Lavery, a cleaner with Employment Horizons’ contract at Picatinny Arsenal. Colin, along with his mom, Christine Lavery, and Employment Horizons’ Executive Director, Matthew Putts, met with Congressman Leonard Lance and staff from the offices of Senators Cory Booker, Robert Menendez, and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, to share Colin’s personal story and employment journey. Barriers to employment for people with significant disabilities still exist in the workplace, and the purpose of the visits was to bring greater awareness and insight to the legislators on how their public policy decisions impact those with disabilities.

"I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend the SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington DC. The experience empowered me to not only support my son, but many others at a national level,” said Christine Lavery. “We met face-to-face with a Congressman and Legislative Aides from New Jersey Congressional offices who listened to my perspective as a parent. I was able to convey the importance of the AbilityOne program that supports agencies like Employment Horizons, which enable individuals with disabilities to thrive and succeed in the work force.”

"In life there are many important things but the one that stands out is to overcome and to be proud of what you overcame,” added Colin. “In Washington, D.C,. I have learned to use my disability to help others and to see it as a strength.”

Highlights of the conference included advocacy training by senior government officials and lobbyists and an evening reception on Capitol Hill. “Employment Horizons was proud to be a part of this year’s Grassroots Advocacy Conference,” said Matthew Putts, Executive Director. “Colin is a tremendous example of how programs such as those provided by Employment Horizons benefit individuals with disabilities, and we are appreciative of the opportunity to share with our members of Congress the importance of employment programs that provide a variety of vocational choices to those with disabilities and assist in the creation of a truly inclusive workforce.”

For more information about ways to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities and to learn more about the Grassroots Advocacy Conference, visit www.sourceamerica.org or www.emhorizons.org.

Photo: Matthew Putts, Colin Lavery, and Christine Lavery meet with Congressman Leonard Lance