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Spokane County proclaims Oct. 2025 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Summary
The Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously proclaimed October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and heard brief remarks from county staff and community partners about supported employment services.
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners unanimously proclaimed October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month at its Oct. 7 meeting.
A commissioner read the proclamation, noting the month marks the 80th anniversary of the federal observance and urging employers, schools and community organizations to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The board voted “aye” unanimously on the proclamation.
Justin Johnson, director of the county’s Community Services Department, introduced staff and community partners and said the proclamation confirms the county’s ongoing commitment to inclusion. “This confirms the proclamation, the ongoing commitment, dedication Spokane County had to make our community a place not only that we can celebrate the diversity we have… but also making it a place where employers can partner,” Johnson said.
Bridal Nichols, program manager for developmental disabilities in Spokane County Community Services, thanked the board for support and introduced people helped by county programs. Taylor Crisp, who said she lives in Cheney, described the importance of access and opportunity: “People with disabilities can be, have just as hard of a work ethic and skills and knowledge to do a job as any of my peers in the community,” she said.
Other speakers included Erin Carton, an advisory board member who described job placement services that helped her son, and John Lemus, advocacy manager for AtWork, who highlighted supported-employment programs and state placement statistics.
Why it matters: The proclamation recognizes county support for programs that assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in finding and keeping work. Several speakers described county-supported job-placement and supported-employment services and urged continued collaboration among employers, state agencies and county programs.
What the record shows: The proclamation was moved and seconded on the consent agenda and adopted by unanimous voice vote. County staff and community partners provided remarks and posed for a photo following the proclamation; the transcript records no formal motions tied to changes in program funding or policy at this meeting.
