
In 1998, AtWork! was created because of the merger of Custom Industries (CI) and Community Enterprises of Issaquah (CEI). CI, established in 1962 was based in Bellevue and operated two programs in Bellevue and Kenmore. CEI was a smaller organization, primarily known in Issaquah, and established in 1965.
Thirty years ago, when people with disabilities were released from institutions, AtWork! was there to provide training. People wove potholders and other cottage industry work for a small amount of money. It was state-of-the-art at the time, but AtWork! knew the future held more. Soon those workers were saying, “Help us get good jobs, real work, doing important things just like others do at work.”
Today, AtWork! is a highly supportive and innovative bridge between people with disabilities and mainstream employers that design customized jobs and provides ongoing support to create mutually beneficial work relationships. AtWork! provides employment services in three Washington counties, adding Snohomish County in 2014, Spokane County in 2017, and Kittitas County in 2023.
Our Language
AtWork! as an organization does not use the word “client”. Though it will appear on contracts and other legal documents, we believe the term “Person Served” better represents those we work with. We use this language internally and externally when working with those we serve. A “client” is defined as “a person using the service of a professional person.” A “person” is defined as “a human being regarded as an individual.”
Person-first language emphasizes the person before the disability. For example, “person who is blind” or “people with Down syndrome.” Identity-first language puts the disability first in the description, e.g., “disabled” or “autistic”. Person-first or Identity-first language is equally appropriate depending on the personal preference of the person. When in doubt, ask the person what they prefer.
Our Race & Social Justice Statement
AtWork! is aware that persons with disabilities are subjected to social injustices; related to ableism, sexism, racism, and other intersecting identities. To ensure each person engaging in AtWork!’s communities are treated with respect and dignity, we commit to race and social justice principles, concepts, and values by creating and sustaining a culture that embraces and applies equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We will hold ourselves accountable to this work internally and externally through individual, collective, and organizational efforts.
To put this declaration into action, we commit to supporting the personal and professional understanding and practice of race and social justice by:
Committing to the statement, “Nothing About Us, Without Us,” by having ethnically and racially diverse persons with varying disabilities and lived experiences, guide and lead our efforts.
Implementing equity and inclusive-driven policies and processes based on meeting collective and individual needs.
Provide education and resources so that we are better able to serve the people in our programs and create a welcome and safe space for our larger AtWork! Community.
Creating opportunities and space for conversation and expression of our AtWork! community to share their lived experiences and stories so that all are heard and strengthened.
Encourage and lean into crucial conversations that challenge our bias and comfort through partnering with different communities and communicating social matters.
Our Values
EQUITY: We believe everyone has the capacity to work, and everyone has a place in their community.
SOCIAL IMPACT: We believe it is our responsibility to make positive change in and with our community.
INCLUSION: We believe in empowering people by respecting their unique identities, perspectives, gifts, and talents that everyone brings.
INNOVATION: We believe innovation drives action: to inspire curiosity, to take risks, and to constantly raise the bar in everything we do.
Our Vision
People with disabilities are an integral part of our society, our businesses, and our lives.
Everyone has the capacity to work. There is a place for a person with disabilities in every business in America. Everyone is employed and all work forces are inclusive.
AtWork! is a national leader in developing innovative employment services. We are the best place to get services as defined by the people we serve and their families.
AtWork!’s social enterprises generate a reliable revenue stream to support our mission.
The people with disabilities we train are recruited by businesses seeking skilled and competent employees.
AtWork! is a key collaborator and partner in the public policy arena, successfully advocating and supporting system change and improvements that empower people with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Our Mission & The Movement
1962 – The AtWork! Mission is Born
Over 60 years ago, two groups of parents, a special education teacher, and a service club (The Kiwanis Club of Issaquah) came together with the belief that people with disabilities belong in their home communities and have the capacity to work and contribute. In those days, this was an uncommon belief and a time when people with disabilities were routinely sent away to institutions.
Our founders were pioneers in community inclusion. Their values and passions fueled their commitment to bring innovative ideas and resources together to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
1963 – John F. Kennedy
At the dawn of the New Frontier, as John F. Kennedy launched his administration, intellectual disability was a neglected issue, receiving minimal state or federal funding. President Kennedy, with strong support from his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver, brought intellectual disability “out of the shadows” and into the public light.
1964 – The Civil Rights Act
While this was a landmark act and worked to end discrimination of people based on gender or color, it did not make any provisions for people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities still lacked opportunities to participate in society, were denied access to employment and were discriminated against based on disability.
1970’s – The Introduction of Supported Employment
Supported Employment was finally introduced in the 1970s for individuals with significant disabilities in competitive job placements in integrated settings. The critical issue was funding for long-term services.
1975 – IDEA
President Ford signs into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guaranteeing public education to every child with a disability.
1990 – The ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) becomes law in 1990. This civil rights law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
2004 – The Working Age Adult Policy (WAAP)
Released by the State Division of Developmental Disabilities, the policy is a statement about people with disabilities and the importance of community-based integrated employment in realizing full citizenship. It moves county funding of day programs away from non-integrated, non-work activities and requires all working-age adults to be on a pathway working towards gainful employment.
2006 – The New Face of Employment
In 2006, 200 people were served in three sheltered workshops and group employment facilities. Ten years of transformation and we’re still innovating. Our transition in service delivery lead to better results, more mission, and being a National Leader in customized employment. We closed our last sheltered workshop in February 2014. This also marked the end of subminimum wages for AtWork!, Washington, and eventually the Nation.
Today, AtWork!:
Delivers individualized and customized services with the goal of community employment and inclusion. We link individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to their greater community and empower high school students to transition into adult life with a job that they enjoy. We are also proud to employ many people with a broad range of disabilities in our business that support our mission.
Innovation remains the AtWork! way as we continue to be transformative leaders. We have earned national recognition for empowering people previously deemed unemployable to find and keep good jobs in their locality, closing our sheltered workshops, and ending subminimum wages.
We are Proud Members of the Following Chambers and Organizations:



