Connecting with our communities and making friends with shared interests brings richness to all our lives.
That’s why King County Department of Community & Human Services’ Community Inclusion program helps give people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) an opportunity to participate in activities in their local community. From social clubs and volunteering opportunities to activities like climbing gyms, book clubs, knitting circles, pottery classes, gardening, and more, participants have a space to develop relationships with community members while practicing everyday skills that help support independence and foster community.
As one participant said, “[This] has been really helpful with helping me make new friends; I also enjoy going to [my] community center to meet new people and talk with my friends. I have not had friends before I like having friends and having my job coach help me with my new friends.”
Now, a recent Community Inclusion report published by the DCHS’s Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Division’s (DDECSD) Performance Measurement & Evaluation Team highlights enrollment and satisfaction data for Community Inclusion services in 2025.
How have Community Inclusion services changed in recent years?
Community Inclusion services have grown each year for the last five years. In 2025, close to 500 participants were served, a 20% increase from the previous year.
Much of this growth is attributed to a statewide policy change in 2023 that allowed individuals receiving Supported Employment services to also participate in Community Inclusion. Prior to this policy change, an individual could not receive both Supported Employment and Community Inclusion services at the same time. In 2025, more than one in three Community Inclusion participants received concurrent employment services.
What are we hearing from participants?
At the start of each year, Community Inclusion provider organizations conduct a satisfaction survey with participants from the previous year. A total of 202 participants submitted a survey response, providing feedback on the services they received. Some participants also shared personal stories about their experience with the program. The overall percent of satisfied participants across all provider agencies in 2025 was 94%.
“I feel like an important part of my community and love volunteering at the community center,” said another participant.
Interested in diving into the data yourself and learning more about our survey methods? Learn more: Community Inclusion: Participant Growth & Satisfaction report.