Community Employment Alliance empowers individual member organizations to advocate for employment services in their local communities. CEA provides advocacy trainings and member engagement through regular meetings. CEA is proud to work with coalitions around the state to advance employment options and inclusion for people of all abilities.


​Thank you for the shout out Senator Murray!

​Advocates      
Community Employment Alliance amplifies the voices of advocates by making space at the tables where decisions are made. CEA believes that nothing about advocates should be decided without advocate’s involvement and feedback. CEA strives to be a model for inclusivity, person centered language, and expressing the disability experience as a normal part of the human experience, worthy of education and investment. Advocates are a critical partners and co-leaders in our community, and their contributions are critical to our success.

2021 Successes

​It's official! Goodbye sub-minimum wage. You won't be missed.
Sub-minimum wage has been eliminated! Thank you, Governor Inslee for making Washington the 5th State in the United States to eliminate this practice. Everyone deserves to be paid a wage that's equitable.
A HUGE thank-you to Senator Randall and team.
A HUGE thank-you to John Lemus and Ivanova Smith for your leadership. As self-advocates- you took us to the finish line and we couldn't have done it without you.
A HUGE thank-you to our lobbyist Seth Dawson for coaching us throughout the whole session. Your guidance was brilliant.
A HUGE thank-you to our friends at: DDC, The Arc of Washington, CAC, Washington Labor Association, People First, SAIL, Allies in Advocacy, and individual supporters...it takes a village.
A HUGE thank-you to all of CEA- this topic was a political one. Members all drew a hard line and forever changed the landscape of employment for individuals with disabilities.

History of CEA Successes

• WA State Policy: Washington Division of Developmental Disabilities Working Age Adult Policy; initially adopted in 2004, most recently updated 2012 – http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/adsa/ddd/policies/policy4.11.pdf
• WA State Legislation: Legislation passed in 2012 establishing parameters around employment as first priority for individuals with developmental disabilities, with option of alternative community access program – http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/6384.pdf
• ICI Pub-Washington WAAP: Publication from the Institute for Community Inclusion providing an overview of the development of Washington’s Working Age Adult Policy – http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=222
• 2019, Elimination of Sub minimum wage certificates (HB 1706) laying critical foundation for extending minimum wage protections to all workers with disabilities 

Representative Eileen Cody

Representative Cody (D-34) exemplified true leadership in her work on HB 1199 which expanded health care to workers with disabilities. This legislation, supported unanimously by the legislature, gave workers with disabilities the flexibility they need to work for longer periods of time without fear of losing their health care. Given this work, CEA recognizes Representative Cody as a champion of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Thank you, Representative Cody!

Representative Noel Frame

CEA wishes to recognize Representative Noel Frame (D-36) for her tremendous efforts to eliminate sub minimum wage certificates in Washington state (HB 1706). Representative Frame sponsored this legislation and worked tirelessly to educate her colleagues on the complicated subject matter. Representative Frame spearheaded the effort and navigated the bill through the House of Representatives with an 81-17 majority vote. We are so grateful for Representative Frame's leadership on this critical issue and we look forward to working with her in future sessions!

Senator Emily Randall

CEA is deeply grateful for the work that Senator Emily Randall (D-26) did to get the sub minimum wage bill through the Senate this session. Not only did Senator Randall prime sponsor this important piece of legislation, but as a freshman legislator, she withstood fierce opposition to the bill and worked tirelessly to educate her colleagues on the importance of extending minimum wage protections to ALL workers, especially those with disabilities. CEA members are thankful for her work and recognize her as an established champion for people with disabilities!

Essential Wokrers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3GIcGIMgBE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2plICdLLb91RobDPUsoPyfMSiVeUlX0Iy4k4OrsH5lgrqMMIaVW9cK8RA

WHY EMPLOYMENT FIRST?