Celebrating Value and Talent: Matthew Cornelius' Race to Success
October 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Established by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, NDEAM celebrates the contributions that people with disabilities make to the American workforce and economy. The theme this year is "Celebrating Value and Talent," shining a spotlight on the skills, dedication, and impact of people with disabilities in the workforce. It's the perfect opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of an AbilityOne® employee who is using his incredible skills and dedication to support the U.S. Army and make an impact in his community.
Whether it's going after a new position, supporting his coworkers, or a 5k race, nothing gets in the way of something Matthew Cornelius wants to achieve. He is a dedicated employee and strong leader at Employment Source, an AbilityOne federal contractor in SourceAmerica®'s network. Like any great success story, his includes commitment, resilience, and some challenges.
Cornelius was born in 1991 with spina bifida and has undergone eighteen surgeries since childhood. While he uses crutches and leg braces to walk and relies on a wheelchair for day-to-day activities, his independence is undeniable. He drives a standard car without modifications, placing his wheelchair in the car himself, and using crutches to walk to the driver's side door.
In July 2013, Cornelius joined Employment Source as a customer care representative. On his first day of training, he felt overwhelmed by the volume of information and tasks. His training manager assured him, "If you stick with me, I will make you successful." Cornelius embraced this mindset, and his career has been a testament to his perseverance and desire to succeed. Eventually, he was responsible for training other employees and serving as a backup to any team lead who was out of the office. He quickly became known for going above and beyond and distinguished himself through his strong work ethic.
"Matt is always up for a challenge and undertakes any task asked of him," Employment Source Project Manager Lynn Cornett said.
Over the years, his experience as a customer care representative helped him build essential skills and the recognition he earned from his peers and supervisors fueled his belief that he could one day step into a management role. In 2018, Cornelius was selected as Team Lead. He quickly established himself as a role model, leading by example and fostering a positive, supportive team environment.
"Matt is always happy, smiling, and willing to boost the morale of folks he works with," Julie Hubbard, an Employment Source customer care representative, said. "He is the first one to greet you when you walk in, always has a positive comment to lift your spirits, and the first one to check on you when he suspects something is negatively going on in your life."
Due to health challenges, Cornelius temporarily left the organization in 2018 for another medical procedure and sought a work-from-home role to accommodate his recovery. However, he realized working from home was not benefiting him physically and returned to Employment Source in 2021.
Cornelius set his sights on a new challenge. He was ready to move up again. In October 2022, Employment Source promoted Cornelius to assistant project manager for the U.S. Army Human Resource Command AbilityOne contract at Fort Knox. He hit the ground running and took on multiple responsibilities, including leading the entire Employment Source team at Fort Knox, handling complaints, managing callbacks, and covering shifts when needed—all with his well-known positivity and enthusiasm.
Outside of his professional achievements, Cornelius is deeply involved in his community. He serves as a Deacon at his church, contributing to the spiritual well-being of his congregation. He is also an avid participant in physical challenges. He has completed nine 5K races and one 10K race using crutches.
In September 2025, Cornelius was selected to advocate for the AbilityOne Program at SourceAmerica's Grassroots Advocacy Conference. He shared his personal story with Congressional members to create meaningful conversation about increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities and highlight the crucial role of the AbilityOne Program in their careers.
Cornelius' dedication to both his team and the Army personnel he supports is unwavering. He continues to lead with empathy, fostering an inclusive environment and mentoring others to achieve their best. When asked to advise future individuals with disabilities on the job, Cornelius said, "a disability is just another ability." He credits that quote to an eight-year-old girl from his church. His willingness to help, whether it's volunteering to cover a shift or providing guidance to his team, has significantly enhanced the quality of services provided by Employment Source. The AbilityOne Program and Employment Source have also provided the ongoing encouragement and support he needs in his ongoing race to succeed.
If you or someone you know is looking for a job, the SourceAmerica Job Board connects people with disabilities seeking employment with positions available through nonprofit agencies in the SourceAmerica network.