The Dan Thompson Employment Rallies brought together Washington State’s employment community after an extended period without in-person connection due to the pandemic. The project blended in-person gatherings with remote participation to ensure broad access and inclusion, particularly for communities historically underrepresented in employment forums.

The rallies were designed to re-energize and reunite the employment community around a shared goal: real jobs for people with disabilities. They celebrated progress and history while setting a collective vision for the future, with people with lived experience leading conversations about employment and leadership.

People with lived experience were central to the rallies, leading conversations, sharing personal stories of employment and leadership, and helping shape the direction of future community efforts.

This project was carried out in collaboration with county and state agencies, employment providers, and community partners across Washington State.