{"id":99991,"date":"2025-10-23T20:26:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/99991\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T20:26:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:26:10","slug":"cascade-connections-highlights-national-disability-employment-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/99991\/","title":{"rendered":"Cascade Connections Highlights National Disability Employment Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a local non-profit providing an array of programs for those living with disabilities, Cascade Connections<\/a> is proudly celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October.<\/p>\n

Since its founding in 1992, Cascade Connections\u2019 Vocational Services<\/a> program has created more than 1,100 employment opportunities for Whatcom County\u2019s residents with disabilities. The program finds creative solutions to increase workplace diversity and inclusiveness, pairing individuals with disabilities with local businesses.<\/p>\n

\"CascadeFitness Evolution, a Bellingham gym, is a local business that reaps the benefits of employing those with disabilities. Photo courtesy: Cascade Connections<\/p>\n

\u201cWe help to make informed and effective job matches with the business\u2019s needs in mind,\u201d says Stacie Nuckolls, a Program Manager with Cascade Connections Vocational Services.<\/p>\n

Cascade Connections supports a wide range of people seeking employment opportunities. Each person has unique skills, abilities, and ways in which they can contribute to the workforce. Individuals with disabilities can excel in meaningful employment when provided with appropriate support and opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a tool to help people overcome barriers to employment,\u201d says Erin Dahlman-Oeth, a Program Coordinator with Cascade Connections Vocational Services. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve been supporting people for more than 30 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CascadeSupported employment in Whatcom County has included businesses like Haggen. Photo courtesy: Cascade Connections<\/p>\n

Cascade Connections Facilitates Supported Employment<\/p>\n

For individuals needing supported employment, services generally proceed in three phases: discovery, placement, and retention. \u201cThe discovery phase,\u201d explains Nuckolls, \u201cinvolves discovering someone\u2019s skills, interests and employment goals. We make sure job seekers have a resume that\u2019s up-to-date, a focused job goal and hours per week that they\u2019re looking for,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Discovery can also include trial work experiences like internships, plus job shadows and informational interviews. When individuals are ready to move forward, Cascade Connections supports them with their submission of job applications and interviews, the latter of which can be fairly traditional or more customized based on particular needs.<\/p>\n

Once someone is hired, Cascade Connections works with both the employee and their employer on the retention process, ensuring the best chance of long-term success for both parties.<\/p>\n

\"CascadeCascade Connections proudly celebrates October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Photo courtesy: Cascade Connections<\/p>\n

The Benefits of Supported Employment<\/p>\n

\u201cNumerous studies have shown that employees with disabilities often have higher retention rates than employees without disabilities,\u201d Dahlman-Oeth says. \u201cWhen people have historically been excluded from the workforce, and all they want to do is participate, many people are appreciative of that opportunity,\u201d they add. \u201cAnd as long as they\u2019re treated with respect and enjoy the work they\u2019re doing, oftentimes they\u2019ll stay there. So, many supported employees are very loyal.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2019, a federally-based survey of businesses across the United States<\/a> \u2013 on the subject of employees with disabilities \u2013 noted that one of the most cited benefits for inclusive employers was an improved image with their customer bases.<\/p>\n

Nuckolls notes that greater diversity also often leads to different perspectives and innovation among businesses. \u201cIdeas invented to aid people with disabilities often end up benefitting others in the workplace as well,\u201d Dahlman-Oeth adds. \u201cDoors that open automatically, designed to help those in wheelchairs, often benefit parents using strollers or delivery people carrying packages,\u201d they say. \u201cSpeech-to-text and text-to-speech interfaces, initially designed for people with low vision, can help anyone who is driving or otherwise has their hands occupied.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cascade Connections offers businesses their support in hiring employees with disabilities free of charge, and takes a thoughtful and timely approach to doing so.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recognize that timing for businesses is everything,\u201d says Dahlman-Oeth. \u201cWe like to have those long-term connections with businesses in our community, so that we can recognize when it is a good time to suggest hiring a job seeker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CascadePark Bowl is another of numerous Whatcom County employers that have worked with Cascade Connections to successfully employ individuals with disabilities. Photo courtesy: Cascade Connections<\/p>\n

HireAbility Whatcom<\/p>\n

One of Cascade Connections\u2019 recent projects has been the development of HireAbility Whatcom \u2013 a website designed for employers to get more information about supported employment. The project was a collaborative effort between Whatcom County Health and Community Services and local agencies like Cascade Connections. The website features examples of successful employee matches through employer testimonials and other media clips. HireAbility Whatcom is based on an existing model in the Spokane area and is directly associated with the county\u2019s developmental disability program.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really great way to have centralized resources for businesses looking for information on this kind of support,\u201d Nuckolls says. \u201cSupported employment isn\u2019t something that a lot of people know much about.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the help of Cascade Connections, HireAbility Whatcom is showcasing Whatcom County\u2019s own success stories,<\/a> which include the hiring of employees with disabilities through Haggen, Park Bowl and other local employers. This month, new videos<\/a> were created for the program and shown at networking events for both the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce<\/a> and the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m excited to see the program grow and create successful employment opportunities,\u201d Nuckolls says.<\/p>\n

Sponsored<\/p>\n


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