How to keep your cool when working
It’s finally feeling like summer! A wave of days over 80 degrees, perhaps into the 90s, are in the forecast next week. But things are different this year with COVID-19. Going to a movie theater, a mall, or the library to cool off after work aren’t possible for most of us in King County in this phase of the state’s Safe Start reopening plan. Remember to let safety be your guide. Check with your supervisor or manager for specific information or directions related to your job. Tips from Public Health specific to… Read More
Governor Inslee COVID-19 press conference today at 2:30 p.m.
Governor Jay Inslee will hold a press conference to provide an update on the state’s ongoing response to COVID-19 today, Thursday, July 23, at 2:30 p.m. The governor will accompanied by Washington Secretary of Health John Wiesman. You can watch the livestream here at 2:30 p.m. today.
Celebrating 30 years of the ADA
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990 by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. Here at King County we’ve worked to provide everyone equal access to employment, transportation, housing, education, health care, recreation, and community life. On July 26, 2020, we celebrate thirty years of progress in access and inclusion, and renew our commitment to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. For more information about the ADA and how can get involved in King County’s efforts to celebrate… Read More
Disability history virtual tour, July 23
The U.S. Department of Defense’s Diversity Management Operations Center, Disability Programs Directorate, a partner in the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Workforce Recruitment Program, will host a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Institution’s disability history collection on Thursday, July 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. During this celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Smithsonian historian Dr. Katherine Ott will show the National Museum of American History’s disability exhibit. Register for the event and request accommodations by emailing dodhra.dmoc-dpd@mail.mil. For more information, visit the National Museum of… Read More
Waiting for your COVID-19 test results? Here’s what you can do
Crossposted from Public Health Insider In the past few weeks, we have heard reports of longer wait times to get COVID-19 tests and delays in receiving test results in some instances. For most labs, the average time from testing to results being available has typically been one to three days, but recently it has been taking five to six days for tests done in some settings. Healthcare providers (or testers) then report results to patients. Because these are averages, some people may wait longer than these times. We believe these delays are… Read More
Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary celebrated by ODEP
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) posted information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of its signing on July 26, 1990. Featured is a timeline highlighting disability employment legislation enacted since the signing of the ADA and other notable related events from the past 30 years. Also included are suggestions on ways for organizations and individuals to celebrate ADA30. View the timeline here, and visit the ODEP’s ADA30 webpage.
Wastewater Treatment Division employees help design a world for everyone
The Community Services (CS) team in King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is known for comprehensive, creative, and thoughtful outreach. CS team members solve problems and find ways to work with diverse communities throughout WTD’s 400-square mile service area. The CS team takes the County’s True North initiative seriously, engaging residents through trusted community-based organizations and expanding translation and live interpretation services every year. CS team member Monica Van der Vieren found ways to address a need that all of us will face at some time in our lives: accessibility. Monica leads… Read More
King County providing clear face masks to support deaf and hard of hearing people
King County will make clear face masks available to employees as part of its efforts to support deaf and hard of hearing people at work and in the community. Clear face masks are critical for the deaf and hard of hearing community, but they are only effective if the hearing community wears them. Therefore, it’s important that our customer-facing employees and employees who have deaf and hard of hearing coworkers have access to these types of masks. King County has ordered 3,600 clear face masks for customer-facing and other employees who may… Read More
Celebrating ADA30: A Discussion on Youth Employment from the ADA Generation webinar, July 24
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) will host a webinar on “Celebrating ADA30: A Discussion on Youth Employment from the ADA Generation” on July 24 from 1 – 2 p.m. Eastern Time. During this webinar, young people with disabilities who grew up after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), known as the “ADA Generation,” will discuss their experiences in the workplace and offer ideas to help employers attract young people with disabilities. They will address policies and programs of particular interest to younger workers with… Read More
PBS NewsHour program “Let the Shameful Wall of Exclusion Come Down,” July 21
On Tuesday July 21, the George and Barbara Bush Foundation will convene key activists, advocates and policymakers who helped make the Americans with Disabilities Act a reality for a bipartisan celebration of that landmark civil rights legislation – and, equally important, focus on the challenges that will shape the future of the disability movement. The 90-minute online program, titled “Let the Shameful Wall of Exclusion Come Down,” taken from President Bush’s remarks on July 26, 1990 as he signed the ADA, starts on July 21 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be moderated by… Read More
Employee News 