Each October, our nation observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This annual recognition celebrates the many contributions of workers with disabilities and highlights the importance of building inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.

The theme for NDEAM 2025, set by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, is “Access, Equity, and Opportunity.” This theme serves as a reminder that creating inclusive workplaces isn’t just about compliance—it’s about ensuring that people of all abilities have fair opportunities to succeed, contribute, and grow.

NDEAM has its roots in 1945, when Congress first declared a week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” Over the decades, this observance evolved to reflect a broader and more inclusive understanding of disability, culminating in the month-long recognition we know today.

For employers, NDEAM is an opportunity to strengthen workplace culture by promoting accessibility, equity, and inclusion. For employees and communities, it’s a chance to celebrate the talents, perspectives, and resilience of workers with disabilities.

There are many ways to participate in NDEAM:

Learn and share: Educate yourself and others about disability employment history and current issues.
Recognize contributions: Highlight the stories of individuals with disabilities who enrich your workplace and community.
Take action: Review workplace practices to ensure accessibility and equal opportunity are truly part of everyday operations.

At its heart, NDEAM is about ensuring that people with disabilities are recognized not for their challenges, but for their skills, creativity, and the value they bring to every workplace. By working together, we can move closer to a society where opportunity is open to all.

From Paintbrushes to Lava Lamps

Art & Science in Action at CSN

At CSN, enrichment activities are all about sparking joy, creativity, and hands-on learning. Our clients explored two very different projects—one that let their artistic side shine and another that tapped into a little science and a lot of fun!

Tape It, Paint It, Reveal It! For this project, we grabbed cardstock, colorful paints, and plenty of masking tape. Clients placed strips of tape in creative patterns—stripes, hearts, and even abstract designs—before painting over the whole canvas with bold colors. When the tape was peeled away, the result was striking artwork full of crisp lines and bright contrasts. Each piece was as unique as its artist, and the “reveal” moment brought smiles all around.

Shake It Up! DIY Lava Lamps Next, we dove into a science-meets-art activity: making our own lava lamps. Using water, oil, and both water-based and oil-based food coloring, we layered our ingredients in bottles and then sealed them. With a quick shake, we watched the magic happen—the oil and water separating into swirls of color, bubbling and floating in mesmerizing patterns. The effect was calming and a little hypnotic, like a homemade version of the classic lava lamp.

Both activities sparked great conversations and plenty of laughter, and they reminded us how art and science can both inspire wonder. Whether painting with tape or watching colors dance in a bottle, we discovered new ways to express ourselves and have fun together.

Welcome Ariana & Beth to CSN!

We’re excited to share two wonderful additions to the CSN community!

Ariana, our new intern

Ariana is a junior at UW–Madison, double majoring in Economics and Philosophy. She brings curiosity, thoughtfulness, and a friendly presence to our team, and we’re thrilled to have her here. From her very first visit, Ariana jumped right in—chatting with clients, supporting programs, and helping everyone enjoy the hands-on, creative experiences CSN is known for. Soon, she’ll be preparing and leading activities of her own, sharing her ideas and energy directly with clients. We’re so grateful for the care and attention Ariana brings and can’t wait for all the meaningful moments ahead.

Beth, our newest board member

We’re also thrilled to welcome Beth, who recently joined the CSN Board of Directors. Beth works at the Madison Metropolitan School District as an occupational therapist and brings valuable knowledge and perspective to our leadership team. With her insight and dedication, she will help guide CSN’s mission and support our vision of fostering inclusion, connection, and opportunity for all.

Please join us in giving a warm CSN welcome to both Ariana and Beth—we’re so glad to have them on board!

Interested in becoming a member of our Board of Directors? Details are included below.

Exploring the Wild

Inclusive Adventures at Henry Vilas Zoo

Over the past couple of weeks, CSN’s Inclusive Adventures program took two amazing groups to

the Henry Vilas Zoo, and what a wild time it was! Clients got up close and personal with some incredible animals during an engaging educational session, learning fascinating facts while seeing these creatures in action.

Although we missed Eddie the giraffe, who moved to Green Bay in late 2023, one of the highlights of the trip was definitely the monkeys—full of energy, curiosity, and plenty of antics that kept everyone laughing. After soaking up the animal magic, everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch outside before wandering through the zoo’s other exhibits, taking in the sights, sounds, and charm of this hidden gem in Madison. The beautiful weather made the day even better, giving clients a perfect chance to get outside, explore, and connect with the community in a fun and meaningful way.

Inclusive Adventures is all about giving clients the chance to get out, try new experiences, and engage with the world around them, and this trip was a perfect example of that mission in action.

A huge thank-you goes out to the MGE Foundation, Sonnentag American Foundation, TASC, Summit Credit Union, Antioch Foundation, Townsend Foundation, Costco, and Gainwell Cares. Their generous support makes these adventures possible, helping CSN clients explore, learn, and thrive in our community.

Want to see where our adventures take us next? Follow us on social media to keep up with all the exciting experiences CSN clients will be enjoying throughout the year!

Building Stronger Teams Together

At Community Support Network (CSN), we see every day how meaningful employment transforms lives—not only for our clients, but also for the businesses and communities they serve. Our clients bring reliability, enthusiasm, and unique skills to the workplace, and employers who partner with us often say their teams are stronger and more engaged as a result.

What makes hiring through CSN such a win-win is the support we provide along the way. We work closely with employers to understand their needs, identify tasks, and match them with clients whose skills and personalities are a natural fit for the role. We also assist with onboarding, training, and job coaching—at no cost to the employer. And our support doesn’t stop once a hire is made; we stay connected to ensure the match continues to work well for both employee and employer.

This model has helped 96% of CSN clients who want to work secure paid jobs—a success rate that reflects not just the talents of our clients, but also the strength of partnerships with inclusive employers. When businesses open their doors to people with different abilities, they gain dedicated employees, improve workplace culture, and demonstrate their commitment to equity in the community.

If your business is interested in learning more about partnering with CSN, reach out at info@visitcsn.org. We’d love to connect and explore how we can support your team.

And this October, in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, CSN will be

launching Abilities in Action—our employment showcase series. Throughout the month, we’ll feature multiple clients each week on our social media platforms, highlighting their talents, achievements, and the meaningful contributions they make in the workplace. Be sure to follow along and join us in celebrating their successes.

Together, we’re building workplaces where everyone belongs—and everyone benefits.

Finding Joy in Small Things

As the seasons shift and the days grow shorter, it can be easy to focus on what feels heavy or uncertain. But autumn also offers an invitation to pause and notice the little moments that brighten our days—the ones that often slip by unnoticed.

Finding joy in small things doesn’t mean ignoring challenges. Instead, it’s about letting ourselves appreciate the simple pleasures around us: the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, the comfort of a favorite mug of tea, or the warmth of a smile from someone we care about.

Research shows that noticing and savoring these everyday moments can boost our mood, reduce stress, and strengthen our sense of connection. The more we practice tuning in to small joys, the more naturally they reveal themselves.

Here are a few ideas to bring this practice into daily life:

Pause for the senses. Take a minute to notice the colors, sounds, or textures around you.
Celebrate small wins. Acknowledge even the tiniest step forward in your day.
Share joy. Point out something you enjoyed — a funny moment, a kind word, a crisp fall breeze. Sharing multiplies the joy.

This season, let’s remind ourselves that joy doesn’t only come from big achievements or special occasions. It’s often waiting quietly in the small, ordinary moments we choose to notice.

Fall Recipes

Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables

Ingredients

2 Green Zucchini (cut into ½ in pieces)
1 Yellow Squash (cut into ½ in pieces)
4 Oz Button Mushrooms (cut in half)
1 Red Onion (cut into ½ in pieces)
1 Red Bell Pepper (cut into ½ in pieces)

Marinade

4 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbsp Honey
1 ½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Dried Thyme
½ tsp Dried Oregano
¼ tsp Garlic Powder

Instructions

Cut vegetables.
Place marinade ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until combined.
Place chopped vegetables into bowl and stir until all vegetables are fully covered.
Allow vegetables to marinate for 20-30 minutes.
Place marinated vegetables in air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes, sitting every 5 minutes, until tender.
Enjoy!

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Cranberry-Walnut Chicken Salad

Ingredients

½ C Mayonnaise
2 Tbsp Honey Dijon Mustard
¼ tsp Pepper
2 C Cubed Rotisserie Chicken
½ C Chopped Celery
1 C Shredded Swiss Cheese
½ C Dried Cranberries
¼ C Chopped Walnuts
½ C Dried Parsley Flakes
Leaf Lettuce
Bread

Instructions

In a large bowl combine the mayonnaise, mustard, & pepper.
Cube your rotisserie chicken and add it to the bowl.
Chop the celery and add it to the bowl.
Stir in the cheese, cranberries, walnuts, & parsley until everything is combined.
Place a piece of lettuce onto your bread and top with chicken salad, then top with bread.
Enjoy!

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No Bake Microwave Cookies

Ingredients

½ C Butter
½ C Milk
4 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
2 C Sugar
½ C Peanut Butter
3 C Quick Oats

Instructions

In a large microwave safe bowl combine butter, milk, cocoa powder, & sugar. Microwave on high for 3 minutes.
Stir mixture and microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Remove from the microwave and add peanut butter, stir until melted.
Add oats and stir until coated (you may add more oats if your mixture is too runny)
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Drop mixture by the spoonful onto the cookie sheet.
Refrigera
te until cool (makes 24 large cookies).
Enjoy!

Make a Difference

Join our Board of Directors

Are you passionate about building a more inclusive community for people with developmental disabilities? CSN is currently seeking committed, thoughtful individuals to join our Board of Directors.

As a board member, you’ll help shape the future of our organization by:

Attending one-hour monthly meetings (held virtually or in person, typically the second Tuesday of each month)
Contributing to strategic planning and program oversight
Reviewing financial matters and supporting responsible stewardship
Serving as a community ambassador and champion for CSN’s mission

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance is provided to ensure peace of mind for all board members.

If you’re ready to share your skills, insights, and passion for inclusive support, we’d love to connect with you. Your leadership can make a meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.

To learn more, please contact Caroline Bowers at caroline.bowers@visitcsn.org

Shop for a Cause!

Visit our Online Shop for a variety of must-have items! Every purchase helps raise funds and spread awareness for our mission. By wearing our gear, you’re not only supporting a great cause but also promoting inclusion and empowerment for adults with developmental disabilities. Thank you for being a part of our community and making a difference!

Ways to Donate

Financial Donation - Financial donations are always appreciated! Checks can be mailed to CSN or donate directly on our website - VisitCSN.org
ShopRaise - Shop online using ShopRaise and your purchases from eligible retailers will help support CSN
Volunteer - Share a hobby or talent with us. We would love to learn something new from you!
Supplies - Contact us if you have supplies to donate and we’ll let you know what we are in need of.

Hire Us!

Hire CSN clients to work at your company. Email Info@VisitCSN.org for more information.

Host an Art Gallery Event!

Learn about our clients and their lives through art. Host our art gallery at your business for a month and experience their stories and talents. Email Info@VisitCSN.org for more information.