Charles-Edouard Catherine, Vice President of Corporate & Government Relations at NOD, reflects on a recent advocacy trip to D.C., where conversations with policymakers, agency leaders, and fellow advocates offered a timely reminder: meaningful change on disability employment is driven not by headlines, but by persistent, behind-the-scenes engagement with those shaping our nation’s laws.
As a French immigrant now living in New York City, I often feel like a modern-day Alexis de Tocqueville when I travel to Washington D.C. to meet with the people shaping laws and regulations on disability employment. However, instead of traversing the 19th-century wilderness on horseback to study the “Great Experiment,” I’m riding a noisy Amtrak train from Manhattan standing in the heart of American democracy to our nation’s capital while trying to send emails despite spotty wi-fi signal on the way.
There is something profoundly moving about walking the streets of D.C. Even if I still haven’t found a croissant in the District that meets my French standards, being at the epicenter of the republic is a powerful reminder of why I chose this country.
Since our founding in 1982, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) has been a leader in advocacy. This work continues today through our . Powered by NOD and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Roundtable brings some of the largest disability organizations in the country together to champion on behalf of and alongside the millions of Americans with disabilities.
In March, we had the opportunity to sit down with some important figures, including Julie Hocker, the new Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Assistant Secretary, and various key legislative players on the Hill. These meetings remind me that there’s something more than the relentless 24-hour news cycle. The people we meet are the ones actually writing the laws – and, of course, they rarely make appearances on TV. They are the quiet, tireless workers who care deeply about the soul of this country. It is reenergizing to see that beneath the political theater, the gears of progress are being turned by people who genuinely care.
Let’s be candid: employment is fundamental for Americans with disabilities. It’s the key to unlocking housing, independence, and dignity. Yet, as we navigate the year 2026, we are still confronting the systemic reality that people with disabilities remain drastically underemployed and underpaid. And as you may know, it is still legal in America to pay subminimum wage to people with disabilities under Section 14(c). It is a relic of a bygone era that belongs in a museum, not a paycheck.
Change is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires a relentless presence and a refusal to accept the status quo. But after this trip, one thing is certain: NOD and our allies aren’t quitting. We will keep showing up, we will keep engaging lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and we will keep pushing until the American Dream is a reality for all.
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About the National Organization on Disability (NOD)
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is committed to increasing employment opportunities and fostering inclusive work environments for the millions of Americans with disabilities. NOD offers a suite of employment solutions tailored to anticipate and meet leading companies’ workforce needs and has helped some of the world’s most recognized brands be more competitive in today’s global economy by building or enriching their disability inclusion programs.
For more information about NOD, visit www.nod.org.