Disability in America
· Over 1 of 4 of today’s 20 year-olds will have a disability before they retire.1
· The national unemployment rate for people without disabilities is 4.9%, while the national unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 12.5%.2
· 2.2 million emerging college students have disabilities3
· 92% of Americans view companies that hire people with disabilities more favorably.4
Disability in Whatcom County:
· In Whatcom County, 8.5% of residents under age 64 have a disability.5
· Only 54% of working age adults with developmental disabilities are receiving employment services.6
Work Opportunities of Whatcom County 2014
We envision Work Opportunities as the leader in our community in making it possible for persons with disabilities to
participate fully in all aspects of community life. We see persons with disabilities making their own choices from a full range of options in employment opportunities, social and recreational activities, health services, educational opportunities, and living arrangements. We envision an accessible community, free of barriers, shared by accepting and supportive fellow citizens.
111 Clients served
40 New job matches
15,220 Client hours worked while in services
1,117 Client hours volunteered
$159,200+ Client wages earned
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1 Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet, June 2015 (Washington, D.C.)
2 United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic News Release: Table A-6 Employment Status of the Civilian Population by Sex, Age, and Disability Status, 4 March 2016, <http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm>
3 National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, 2003-2004, <http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d05/tables/dt05_210.asp>
4 Siperstein, Gary and Neil Romano, Amanda Mohler, and Robin Parker. A National Survey of Consumer Attitudes Towards Companies that Hire People With Disabilities. July 2013 <http://www.worksupport.com/research/viewContent.cfm/637>
5 U.S. Census Bureau, Quick Facts: Whatcom County, Washington, 2010-2015 (Washington, D.C.)
6 Whatcom County Health Department, Whatcom County Developmental Disabilities Plan 2014-2018, 2012 (Bellingham, WA), 16.