Our History

In the spring of 1935, The Federation of the Handicapped and Disabled was founded by three wounded World War 1 veterans who struggled to make ends meet during the Great Depression. Shut out of the workforce by a society that did not believe that people with disabilities could be productive citizens, they formed the Federation based on the principles of work, dignity and economic independence.

Over the next 70 years The Federation initiated groundbreaking programs to help homebound people out of their homes for social, recreation and prevocational experiences – anticipating by decades a movement to the full integration of people with disabilities into society and the workplace. The Federation was profiled in the New York Times — “No person seeking aid has ever been turned away by the Federation of the Handicapped.  Every person…regardless of race, color, creed or disability, is entitled to all the services that the Federation provides.”    The Federation gradually expanded its work, winning contracts to provide services to government and corporate customers in various fields including printing, manufacturing, Total Facilities Management, Home Health and workforce development and job placement.

It also played an important role in advancing the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which for the first time established civil-rights for people with disabilities and laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation including the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

In 1991 the agency changed its name to Fedcap Rehabilitation Services Inc.

A New Vision

In 2009, under the leadership of our Board of Directors and new President CEO Christine McMahon, a new vision emerged. Recognizing both the need for more comprehensive solutions to societal issues and the new financial realities imposed by the financial crisis on the social service infrastructure, they developed a larger vision for Fedcap and launched a strategic plan to broaden and deepen its impact through a combination of organic growth and acquisition.   In 2018 The Fedcap Group was established as the parent company for the growing number of companies—see timeline below—under its umbrella.  As of 2022, twenty three companies have combined with The Fedcap Group.   As a result of these combinations, we have:

Today  The Fedcap Group is able to leverage the collective expertise and resources of our growing family of agencies to deliver solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs, and to provide thought leadership in how to address these issues on national and global basis.

By combining our long history of proven impact with a laser focus on innovation and systems change, we are prepared for the challenges of the 21st Century and more committed than ever to creating opportunities for people with barriers to economic wellbeing.

Increased Impact: Organic Growth and Acquisitions

2022

Combination with New York Tech Alliance

2022

2021

Combination with Civic Hall
Fedcap Employment (UK) Awarded Major Contract

2021

2020

Established Fedcap Canada
Combination with Apex Technical School
Fedcap Canada awarded Major Contract as Service System Manager for the Hamilton-Niagara region of Ontario

2020

2019

Established Fedcap Scotland
Established UK-based Fedcap Employment

2019

2018

Combination with Easterseals Central Texas
Combination with Easterseals North Texas
Combination with MVLE
Established Fedcap UK
Established Fedcap, Inc.
Combination with UK-based Kennedy Scott
Combination with Benevolent

2018

2017

Combination with Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services
Awarded state-wide TANF contract in Maine
Combination with Single Stop

2017

2016

Combination with Easterseals Rhode Island
Combination with New Hampshire-based Granite Pathways
Combined with New Hampshire-based Seacoast Pathways

2016

2015

Combination with Easterseals New York
Awarded WeCARE Region 1 NYC

2015

2013

Combination with Boston-based Community Work Services
Combination with ReServe
Awarded WeCARE Region 2 NYC

2013

2011

Combination with Wildcat Service Corps
Combination with The Way to Work

2011

2010

Acquired Fedcap School in New Jersey

2010