When we talk about tourism, we have to talk about workforce — the people who produce, stock, and serve our food; the people who greet us in stores and hotels; the people who make the world of tourism, and the daily life of locals, go round.
And we can’t talk about any of it without talking about inclusivity, which is why the Oregon Coast Visitors Association has invested so deeply in collaboration and action around these topics.
This year at the 2025 People’s Coast Summit, we had the opportunity to host a workshop that brought these threads of inclusivity and workforce together in an inspiring way.
Opening Doors: Inclusive Employment in Tourism and Hospitality through the Employment First Initiative was presented by Arica Sears, Deputy Director of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association; Melanie Hartwig, Office of Developmental Disability Services; and Julie Chick, former Director of Sammy’s Place — a nonprofit organization in Nehalem dedicated to creating inclusive living, working, and respite opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on the North Coast.
The purpose of the session was to explore what can happen when the tourism industry becomes a leader in inclusion — specifically through our workforce.
Melanie and Julie represented the collaborative efforts of the Employment First Initiative, a program that empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to earn competitive wages and benefits alongside coworkers without disabilities. By expanding supported employment opportunities, more people have access to reach their potential and fully participate in their community.
Presenters were joined by a panel of employees working through the program, along with their employers, to share stories of how accessible employment practices can transform lives while strengthening businesses and communities.
With Oregon’s coastal economy relying heavily on service-driven sectors, this session offered a look at how organizations can become part of a movement toward a more accessible and equitable workforce.
Take Linda, for example. Linda has been working at Fred Meyer in Brookings, Oregon, for over six years. Linda, her manager, and her community members all agree that she brings consistency, positivity, and care to her workplace.
As she shared during the presentation, “People with disabilities want to work, and we are great employees.”
Linda’s manager echoed that sentiment, adding, “Linda is positive, dependable, and almost never calls out. She really doesn’t like to miss work. She is independent and knows her job well. She has even helped new staff learn about courtesy work.”
Beyond the independence her job provides to Linda — and the dependable support she offers her employer — the community has taken notice.
Michelle Pruden, a Brookings resident, Brookings High School Transition Teacher, and Youth Employment Specialist for Vocational Rehabilitation, shared:
“Linda is always looking for ways to make the lives of the people around her better. She smiles to support those who are having a rough day. She goes out of her way to give someone a hug when they need it. At work, she is always hustling to get her tasks done but never forgets to provide her customers with friendly, supportive service. Linda’s advocacy work has given her a platform to make the world a better place. I’m so very thankful to have Linda Horton in my local community — she just makes it a better place to live.”
Linda’s story isn’t the only one.
Raheem works at Pacific View Senior Living in Bandon, Oregon, where he interacts daily with residents. Every day, he brings a positive, friendly, and dependable attitude to the senior community.
Frank helps at the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow, and believes people with disabilities can do the work — and should be able to work — just like everyone else.
These are just a few of the dozens of employees and communities positively impacted by the Employment First Initiative.
In Tillamook, employees have been excelling in discovery positions at the Tillamook County Creamery. Thanks to the Neah-Kah-Nie School District Transition Program, three individuals are thriving in their roles and bringing positive energy to both locals and visitors alike.
The Employment First workshop shared these success stories — and many more — along with practical steps for workforce boards and businesses to build inclusive hiring pipelines, as well as the tools and resources available through Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Disabilities (ODDS) and local partnerships.
“Oregon and the Oregon Coast have an untapped pool of dependable, dedicated, and hardworking people,” shared Melanie Hartwig, Employment First Initiative Advocate. “These people want to work and share their gifts and talents with their communities. Historically, working in their communities has not always been available to them. The Oregon Employment First Initiative is the belief that anyone who wants to work can, with the right support in place.”
Julie Chick, former Director of Sammy’s Place, added, “The Oregon Coast Visitors Association, as part of its innovative accessibility work, has opened the door to future coastal workforce opportunities. This work comes in the form of educating and connecting tourism businesses, workforce partners, and Coast locals eligible for supported employment to jobs. Supported Employment is an untapped local workforce of people who want competitive wages and meaningful work. This directly helps the tourism industry — and diverse solutions make for stronger long-term sustainability.”
As our coastal communities look toward resilient economic futures, the answer is already here — in our people. When we expand access to meaningful work, we strengthen not only individual lives, but the very fabric of our coastal communities.
About the Oregon Employment First Initiative
Oregon is proud to be an Employment First state.
In Oregon, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) earn competitive wages and benefits alongside coworkers without disabilities. This means that people have more opportunities to reach their potential and fully participate in their community.
How to get involved: Want to help continue this momentum forward? Explore the Employment First Regional Community Liaison and Employment Specialist Map to get in touch with the specialist for your region.