So much more than a job
Since 1963, Work Opportunities has addressed inequities for individuals with disabilities through inclusive employment and community participation.
Our Story
Our agency was founded by a group of parents from the Edmonds School District Special Education Parents Group who dreamt that their sons and daughters would have the opportunity to become participating and contributing members of the community.
This dream is now being extended to all adults with disabilities guided by the belief that through work, people with disabilities would experience increased self-esteem and have greater economic and social opportunities within the community.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Core Values
Increased options
Increased participation
Abilities over disabilities
Individualized services
Health and safety
Self-determination
Accessibility
Inclusion
Community promotion
Our Recent Milestones
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Our work isn't done when our clients get jobs, of course. We're there for support for as long as they need us!
Outcomes
|
2022 Year to Date | 2021 Results | 2020 Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Clients Served | 465 | 471 | 453 |
| Job Placements | 61 | 67 | 29 |
| Job Development Contacts | 3,886 | 5,567 | 3,356 |
| Job Interviews | 204 | 182 | 83 |
| Total Client Hours Worked | 61,403 | 77,303.93 | 59,534.73 |
| Total Client Wages | $1,014,966.87 | $1,192,261.65 | $720,065.44 |
Together, we’re creating workplaces that reflect our communities’ true diversity
Employment means so much more than a paycheck. With a job, you gain more independence, a sense of competence, hard-earned accomplishments, new skills, new friends, a connection and engagement with the world outside the front door.
Now it’s time to embrace what people with disabilities have to offer. Join us in our belief that people with disabilities are integral members of our community and workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the services offered to a person with a disability by Work Opportunities?
The services we offer depend on the specific needs of an individual with a disability. This includes:
- Career exploration and consultation
- Job search training
- Job skills training
- Job development/placement
- Supported employment services
- Independent living skills
- Transition services
- Resume development
- Customized employment
- Community inclusion services
- Specialized services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, or deaf/blind
What does supported employment mean?
Supported employment offers people with disabilities customized on-site job skills and training assistance by a “job coach”. This service is offered to individuals who may need additional support to be successful on the job.
What is a job coach?
Job coaches act as facilitators between employers and people with disabilities who are either seeking employment or is currently employed. Job coaches are staff of Work Opportunities who ensure the following:
- Open communication between the employer and individual with disabilities.
- Accommodations to create a work environment that encourages learning and becoming independent at tasks given to an individual with disabilities.
- Support needed to ensure the tasks given by employer meets business standards
What are Community Inclusion Services?
Community inclusion is a service provided by Work Opportunities that help people with disabilities stay connected and involved in their community outside of employment. Community Inclusion Services can help someone access a volunteer site, community outings, classes, and many other activities to ensure they are experiencing a fulfilling life of inclusion!
As a business, why should I consider supported employment services with Work Opportunities?
Supported employment allows businesses to build an inclusive workforce with dependable, reliable, and hardworking employees. Employees with disabilities under supported employment have high retention rates, which can reduce the high cost of staff turnover.
There is no cost for the supported employment services given by our skilled job coaches as they are covered by Work Opportunities
How does Work Opportunities help persons with disabilities become employed?
Once a person with disability selects Work Opportunities as a service organization, our team will assess the individual and create a customized supported employment service that will cover skills assessment and building, job search training, then job placement and/or development. When a person with disability partnered with Work Opportunities successfully becomes employed, our team will provide job retention and training support as part of the customized supported employment service provided to the individual.
Why choose to hire a supported employee as an employer/business owner?
We match employers with potential employees to meet your needs. Our support services aim to save you time, resources, and help you create an inclusive workforce. By creating an inclusive workforce, you will find that employees with disabilities have high retention rates, which can reduce the high cost of staff turnover.
We care about the success of your business and the success of the people we serve. We do this by helping individuals with disabilities fulfill their dreams of earning a paycheck and bring their unique talents and abilities to the workplace.
How do I learn more about Work Opportunities?
Work Opportunities will assist with researching any resources you may request. You may contact us by sending an email to info@workopportunities.org or through our contact us page.
Frequently Asked Questions (remediation attempt)
What are the services offered to a person with a disability by Work Opportunities?
The services we offer depend on the specific needs of an individual with a disability. This includes:
- Career exploration and consultation
- Job search training
- Job skills training
- Job development/placement
- Supported employment services
- Independent living skills
- Transition services
- Resume development
- Customized employment
- Community inclusion services
- Specialized services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, or deaf/blind
What does supported employment mean?
Supported employment offers people with disabilities customized on-site job skills and training assistance by a “job coach”. This service is offered to individuals who may need additional support to be successful on the job.
What is a job coach?
Job coaches act as facilitators between employers and people with disabilities who are either seeking employment or is currently employed. Job coaches are staff of Work Opportunities who ensure the following:
- Open communication between the employer and individual with disabilities.
- Accommodations to create a work environment that encourages learning and becoming independent at tasks given to an individual with disabilities.
- Support needed to ensure the tasks given by employer meets business standards
What are Community Inclusion Services?
Community inclusion is a service provided by Work Opportunities that help people with disabilities stay connected and involved in their community outside of employment. Community Inclusion Services can help someone access a volunteer site, community outings, classes, and many other activities to ensure they are experiencing a fulfilling life of inclusion!
As a business, why should I consider supported employment services with Work Opportunities?
Supported employment allows businesses to build an inclusive workforce with dependable, reliable, and hardworking employees. Employees with disabilities under supported employment have high retention rates, which can reduce the high cost of staff turnover.
There is no cost for the supported employment services given by our skilled job coaches as they are covered by Work Opportunities
How does Work Opportunities help persons with disabilities become employed?
Once a person with disability selects Work Opportunities as a service organization, our team will assess the individual and create a customized supported employment service that will cover skills assessment and building, job search training, then job placement and/or development. When a person with disability partnered with Work Opportunities successfully becomes employed, our team will provide job retention and training support as part of the customized supported employment service provided to the individual.
Why choose to hire a supported employee as an employer/business owner?
We match employers with potential employees to meet your needs. Our support services aim to save you time, resources, and help you create an inclusive workforce. By creating an inclusive workforce, you will find that employees with disabilities have high retention rates, which can reduce the high cost of staff turnover.
We care about the success of your business and the success of the people we serve. We do this by helping individuals with disabilities fulfill their dreams of earning a paycheck and bring their unique talents and abilities to the workplace.
How do I learn more about Work Opportunities?
Work Opportunities will assist with researching any resources you may request. You may contact us by sending an email to info@workopportunities.org or through our contact us page.
The services we offer depend on the specific needs of an individual with a disability. This includes:
- Career exploration and consultation
- Job search training
- Job skills training
- Job development/placement
- Supported employment services
- Independent living skills
- Transition services
- Resume development
- Customized employment
- Community inclusion services
- Specialized services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, or deaf/blind
Supported employment offers people with disabilities customized on-site job skills and training assistance by a “job coach”. This service is offered to individuals who may need additional support to be successful on the job.
Job coaches act as facilitators between employers and people with disabilities who are either seeking employment or is currently employed. Job coaches are staff of Work Opportunities who ensure the following:
- Open communication between the employer and individual with disabilities.
- Accommodations to create a work environment that encourages learning and becoming independent at tasks given to an individual with disabilities.
- Support needed to ensure the tasks given by employer meets business standards
Community inclusion is a service provided by Work Opportunities that help people with disabilities stay connected and involved in their community outside of employment. Community Inclusion Services can help someone access a volunteer site, community outings, classes, and many other activities to ensure they are experiencing a fulfilling life of inclusion!
Supported employment allows businesses to build an inclusive workforce with dependable, reliable, and hardworking employees. Employees with disabilities under supported employment have high retention rates, which can reduce the high cost of staff turnover.
There is no cost for the supported employment services given by our skilled job coaches as they are covered by Work Opportunities
Once a person with disability selects Work Opportunities as a service organization, our team will assess the individual and create a customized supported employment service that will cover skills assessment and building, job search training, then job placement and/or development. When a person with disability partnered with Work Opportunities successfully becomes employed, our team will provide job retention and training support as part of the customized supported employment service provided to the individual.
We match employers with potential employees to meet your needs. Our support services aim to save you time, resources, and help you create an inclusive workforce. By creating an inclusive workforce, you will find that employees with disabilities have high retention rates, which can reduce the high cost of staff turnover.
We care about the success of your business and the success of the people we serve. We do this by helping individuals with disabilities fulfill their dreams of earning a paycheck and bring their unique talents and abilities to the workplace.
Work Opportunities will assist with researching any resources you may request. You may contact us by sending an email to info@workopportunities.org or through our contact us page.