Max Higbee Center is contributing to the Inclusion Festival by partnering with Dana to host a lively and welcoming silent disco, creating an accessible, sensory-friendly space where participants can move, dance, and connect in their own way. In addition, they are supporting the festival’s cornhole games, helping ensure that this classic, low‑barrier activity is inclusive, fun, and accessible for all our attendees!

About Max Higbee Center

Max Higbee Center is a nonprofit in Bellingham, WA that provides community-based recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities, supporting social connection, personal growth, independence, and joy through inclusive leisure activities.

Founded by educators and families advocating for meaningful recreation opportunities, the organization offers weekday and weekend programs, community outings, arts, sports, cooking, and more, all designed to foster friendship, skill-building, and greater community engagement. [maxhigbeecenter.org]

Cascade Connections will bring their energetic Hamster Walk‑N‑Roll to the Inclusion Festival, inviting participants to join in movement, fun, and community spirit. Their presence helps highlight accessibility, empowerment, and shared celebration through a playful, activity‑centered experience.

Cascade Connections | Hamster Walk and Roll

10am - Registration Begins

                  Light breakfast fare provided

10:30am - Warm-up and calisthenics (registration continues)

11:00am – Hamster Walk and Roll begins 

                  This energetic awareness walk will kick-off the event, provide a complete tour of festival grounds, and will be a fun way for folks from various partner agencies to join in with attendees to celebrate inclusion.

11:30/11:45am – Hamster Walk and Roll concludes

Throughout the event folks will be invited to stop by all highlights within the venue

Cascade Connections to provide:

• Registration tracking and numbers for participants

• Stickers to distribute throughout the event space to highlight different areas of the venue

  • Stickers to feature famous disability slogans such as “nothing about us without us” and “different, not less”

• Hamster Walk and Roll Map

• Light breakfast fare for participants

About Cascade Connections

Cascade Connections is a nonprofit organization in Whatcom County that has supported people with disabilities for more than 40 years, offering residential, vocational, home care, supported living, and training services designed to promote independence, inclusion, and quality of life.

The organization began by serving a small group of adults with developmental disabilities and has since grown to assist hundreds of individuals through specially designed programs, including supported living, group home care, vocational services, and employment support.

Rooted in the mission to empower people with disabilities to enhance their quality of life, Cascade Connections partners with community businesses, provides job training, facilitates supported employment, and helps individuals thrive in inclusive community settings.

Summit Assistance Dogs is enriching the Inclusion Festival by bringing their highly trained assistance dogs and expert handlers for an engaging, educational demonstration that highlights the power of partnership between people and service animals. Attendees will have the chance to watch the dogs perform real‑world skills, learn how assistance dogs support greater independence for people with disabilities, and interact with Summit’s team at their booth for Q&A opportunities, and hands‑on accessibility tools. Their presence adds both warmth and awareness to the festival, inviting attendees to better understand the role of service animals in building inclusive communities.

About Summit Assistance Dogs

Summit Assistance Dogs is a nonprofit organization in Washington State dedicated to creating life‑changing partnerships by providing highly skilled mobility service dogs for people living with disabilities. They focus on increasing independence, confidence, and quality of life through carefully trained dogs that assist with tasks such as retrieving items, opening doors, providing balance support, and more.

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to greater autonomy, Summit pairs individuals with dogs trained for over two years in advanced obedience, task work, and public access skills. In addition to empowering clients, Summit also invests in community education, volunteer puppy raising, and outreach programs that strengthen awareness around disability inclusion and service dog etiquette.

Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County is bringing creativity, collaboration, and hands‑on fun to the Inclusion Festival with an interactive LEGO and DUPLO building booth. Attendees of all ages and abilities are invited to explore accessible building stations where they can design tiny homes, dream‑up inclusive neighborhoods, and experiment with colorful structures. Habitat’s team will be onsite to facilitate play, answer questions about affordable housing, and share how community involvement helps build strength, stability, and a sense of belonging for local families. Their booth offers a low‑pressure, high‑imagination activity that encourages problem‑solving, teamwork, and joyful participation.

About Habitat for Humanity Whatcom County

Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County is a nonprofit housing organization working to build and preserve affordable homes for families across the region. Through volunteer labor, community partnerships, and sustainable building practices, Habitat creates opportunities for homeownership for individuals and families who are working toward stability and self‑reliance.

The organization supports its mission through homebuilding, critical home repairs, financial education, and its Bellingham Habitat Store, which funds local projects while reducing waste through donated goods. With an emphasis on inclusion and community empowerment, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, relationships, and brighter futures.

Make.Shift is bringing creative energy and authentic community storytelling to the Inclusion Festival through KZAX 94.9 FM, their freeform community radio station. Attendees can stop by their booth to learn how local radio is made, meet volunteer DJs and creatives, interview for the the Friday Community Hour, and watch as DJs capture live interviews, festival highlights, and on‑the‑ground audio moments as they happen. Make.Shift will also offer an additional hands‑on activity (TBD), adding even more opportunities for artistic engagement and playful exploration throughout the day. Their presence brings a uniquely Bellingham blend of DIY spirit, creativity, and inclusivity to the festival atmosphere.

About Make.Shift

Make.Shift Art Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Bellingham dedicated to empowering, supporting, and creating opportunities for local artists and musicians. They operate an all‑ages art gallery and music venue, offer affordable art studios and band practice spaces, and run KZAX 94.9 FM, a low‑power community radio station that broadcasts local bands, independent music, and diverse community‑created content.

Founded with the goal of building a supportive network for local musicians, Make.Shift now serves communities across Whatcom and Skagit Counties by prioritizing emerging, marginalized, and underrepresented creatives. Through workshops, exhibitions, performances, and radio programming, Make.Shift cultivates accessible spaces where creativity thrives and everyone, especially the wonderfully weird, is welcome.

NW Foam Factory brings high-energy foam parties to community events, schools, and celebrations across Whatcom and Skagit County. Our cannons create giant piles of foam shooting up to 30 feet, delivering unforgettable fun for all ages. Our foam is non-toxic, biodegradable, and hypoallergenic, and as a certified autism resource, we’re committed to creating inclusive, sensory-friendly experiences for everyone.

Huckleberry Health and Development transforms access to affirming, holistic care for neurodivergent individuals, disabled children, and under-resourced families by dismantling systemic barriers and supporting the communication, regulation, and daily living skills they need to thrive — by providing holistic, inclusive, and culturally responsive care that honors each person’s autonomy and definition of success.

Huckleberry Health and Development will host an interactive activity inviting participants to explore different ways people communicate, including alternative communication tools like AAC devices and core word boards. This hands‑on experience highlights the many valid ways we share ideas, express ourselves, and connect with others.

NeuroBloom is a community-centered space designed to support neurodivergent individuals and their families through access, exploration, connection, and neuro-affirming tools. Built by neurodivergent people and caregivers for the community, NeuroBloom combines a sensory-informed gym, lending library, café, training center, and professional collaboration hub under one roof.

What you will find at our booth:

The NeuroBloom Center will be hosting an activity at our booth that brings some of our center’s best attractions to you! You can find a small set up of our sensory gym, along with specialized workout equipment made for disabled individuals. You will get to meet some of the amazing individuals who have made this resource possible, sign up for center memberships at a special event rate, and learn more about what NeuroBloom has to offer for you and your families.

Bonus Booth Content:

Want more than sensory equipment? No problem! Other things that can be found at the booth are brought to you by McCarty Therapy Solutions and it’s founder Calial McCarty. There will be resources for mental health needs, neuro-affirming assessments, and more! You can also find her book Naturally Divergent and meet the author.

Heart of Play (HOP) is a nonprofit organization working to bring a large-scale children’s museum to Whatcom County. Their mission is "to provide an accessible, interactive space where children, youth, and families build belonging and community through play." Currently, HOP is bringing hands-on, play-based experiences to local events that align with their mission. Their upcoming mobile museum will expand this work, allowing them to reach more families by delivering engaging learning opportunities directly into the community. They also use these events to gather feedback and insights that help shape the future of their permanent children’s museum.

For the Inclusion Festival, Heart of Play will bring their signature large green foam blocks. This open-ended activity encourages creativity, collaboration, and imaginative play. Children and families are invited to design and build structures together in a welcoming environment. These lightweight, accessible materials are designed to support participants of all ages and abilities, making it easy for everyone to join in the fun.

Peace Centers is a Whatcom County nonprofit working to make quality childcare accessible to every family, with a focus on low-income and subsidy-eligible households who too often miss out on the support they qualify for. Its flagship platform, ChildcareSpaces.com, connects families to licensed drop-in childcare and helps them navigate the patchwork of subsidies and assistance programs available to them. By bringing providers and families together in one place and removing the guesswork from enrollment and funding, Peace Centers helps parents find care when they need it and helps local providers fill their spaces. Peace Centers also provides STARS training for teachers, parent education classes, childcare business consulting and runs the tool and equipment lending library, www.peacestore.org.

We will be doing an arts and craft project that has yet to be determined but will most likely be some sort of an animal that they decorate and will either be a hat or something they can wear around like a necklace.

Brigid Collins Family Support Center is a nonprofit organization operating in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Our MISSION is to strengthen community health and resilience by providing comprehensive support to children and their families. Our VISION is a thriving community where no child suffers. We are achieving this mission and vision by providing families with the support, education and resources needed to ensure that every child reaches their full potential. 

The Parenting Academy is a program of Brigid Collins offering parent education, coaching and parent-child therapy.  We seek to promote positive parenting messages, normalize accessing parenting help, and support connected and nurturing parent-child relationships. No problem is too small or too large!

Stop by the Brigid Collins Family Support Center booth to learn more about the programs and services available to children and families throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on parent-child activity focused on strengthening connection, supporting emotional regulation, and building positive interactions through play. Whether you're looking for resources, support, or just a fun, accessible activity to enjoy with your child, we invite you to stop by and connect with our team!

About the WREC: The Whatcom Racial Equity Commission is tasked by the Whatcom County to analyze and provide constructive collaboration and support between government representatives and various institutions to confront racial equity, civil rights, social justice, and systemic oppression locally. 

The Whatcom Racial Equity Commission believes that everybody deserves to be involved in our community, and the inclusion festival is one step closer to celebrating that reality! As an event partner, we can’t wait to share our lovely local-business donations, and to engage with the community with accessible trivia related to our county! 

About BAAY: Founded in 2006, Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization that offers quality instruction in theatre, choir, dance, music, and visual arts for students in pre-k through high school. BAAY serves over 1500 children annually at their downtown campus and in the schools throughout Whatcom County. Each year, BAAY provides over $80,000 in financial aid to remove financial barriers to participation. Learn more about them and their work at baay.org.

About BAAY's Activity: Explore improvisational comedy with BAAY! Inclusion Festival attendees of all ages are invited to drop into a 10-15 minute improv sampler class. In the class, participants will learn a few different improv games that focus on collaboration and celebrating each other's ideas. Come play with us!

Whatcom Early Learning Alliance (WELA) is a collaboration of local organizations working toward a shared vision for children and their families. We are dedicated to supporting access to high-quality early learning opportunities for all children.

Our Activity:

WELA will be hosting a fun sensory table "Spray and Stick" activity for young children in the Boathouse from 11:30-1:00.

Wandke Accessibility is a disability-owned consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations create more accessible and inclusive digital and physical experiences. Founded by Daman Wandke, who has Cerebral Palsy and more than a decade of experience in accessibility consulting, the company combines lived experience with technical expertise to provide practical, high-impact solutions. Wandke Accessibility partners with businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies to deliver accessibility audits, inclusive design consulting, training, and education that go beyond compliance, creating meaningful access for people with disabilities. In addition to leading the company, Daman is a senior instructor of Disability Studies at Western Washington University and is actively involved in disability advocacy and leadership at the regional and national levels.

Wandke Accessibility partnered with Inclusion Festival to help ensure the event was welcoming and accessible for attendees of all abilities. Our team provided pre-event accessibility consulting, reviewed event plans, and offered recommendations to improve accessibility across the attendee experience. During the festival, we are also available to provide on-site accessibility support, answer questions, and help address accessibility needs as they arise, working alongside organizers to create a more inclusive and enjoyable event for everyone.

• The Special Education Technology Center (SETC) partners with families, educators, and schools to create more inclusive learning experiences for students with disabilities. We provide training, coaching, consultations, and an assistive technology lending library to help connect students with the tools and strategies they need to access learning, communicate, and participate more fully in school and community life.

  Our work brings together assistive technology, accessible technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and inclusive practices to reduce barriers and expand opportunities for every learner. Whether you're a parent, educator, or community member, we'd love to meet you and share resources that support access, communication, and belonging.

  To learn more, you can visit our website: https://specialedtechcenter.com/ or email us at: setc@cwu.edu

  Make Your Own Fidget!
  Everyone learns and regulates in different ways. Join SETC to create a personalized fidget while exploring simple tools that can help support attention, self-regulation, and participation. Leave with a one-of-a-kind creation that's as unique as you are!

Whatcom Dream is a nonprofit that support families and individuals with Financial Literacy Education. We offer preventative financial education to children and young adults, reparative work for adults and families, and help individuals and families with end of life financial planning. We believe that understanding money changes lives! 

Our community space will include an area where kids can pretend play as merchants. We will have a lemonade stand, a grocery store, and a restaurant where children can practice offering services in exchange for money helping them understand the principles of earning and spending money.