For the past two years, Melwood, in partnership with the George Washington University Law School, has convened the JWOD Symposium, bringing together contract administrators, AbilityOne NPAs, advocates and policymakers to discuss the legal & policy opportunities and challenges associated with the AbilityOne Program. What started as informal conversations among a growing number of NPAs affiliated with both SourceAmerica and NIB has transformed into an annual gathering attracting leading disability rights advocates. Thanks to the continued support of our community, this NPA-led symposium has gained the respect of the federal procurement community, attracting leadership of federal agencies and elected and appointed federal officials. The Symposium has had over 250 people in attendance and represents approximately 50 AbilityOne NPAs from across the country.
Due to COVID-19, the third annual Symposium will be held as a virtual webinar series, covering current topics relevant to the AbilityOne Program such as the most recent 898 Panel recommendations, the Program’s brand, pricing, competition, and the “Future NPA”. We will discuss how the Program fits into the larger vision of a world in which people with disabilities are fully included in the workforce, strategize on innovative ways to train people with disabilities for high-demand labor positions, and share ideas on diversifying revenue streams and career paths for our stakeholders.
Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 1PM-2PM EST (except for Election Day). Please direct any questions to JWODSymposium@melwood.org.
All sessions will be recorded and a link to the recording will be sent to registrants after the session. Recordings will also be uploaded to Melwood's website within 24-48 hours after the session.
All sessions are FREE and are eligible for SHRM credits.