Thanking our local veterans for their service
Dear fellow King County employee, For more than a century, our nation has dedicated November 11 as the day to recognize the brave members of our country’s armed forces, past and present. They placed their own lives at risk to defend freedom here at home and around the world. Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor and thank them for their service. King County is home to 115,000 veterans of all ages. More than 1,200 of our King County colleagues are veterans, working alongside us in every department and every branch of… Read More
Disability Awareness Month: Mental Health Resources
October is Disability Awareness Month. Disability includes a broad spectrum of conditions that effect physical and mental health. If you are someone who lives with a mental health diagnosis and would like additional support, there are benefits and resources available to you. On the Balanced You blog, we are highlighting mental health accommodations, mental health support through your medical plan, and an opportunity for social connection. Read more.
Keeping courtrooms free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression
Cross-posted from King County Superior Court Judges across Washington are expressly prohibited from discriminating against someone because of their gender identity and gender expression, thanks to a rule change that went into effect Sept. 1. King County Superior Court Commissioner Jonathon Lack proposed the amendment to the Code of Judicial Conduct, which governs the behavior of judges in Washington. Read more.
Accessibility for All: Microsoft Office and Teams Settings
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and KCIT is taking a behind-the-scenes look at how our technology experts are improving accessibility for King County employees and residents. There are many ways you can support our King County colleagues and residents of all abilities. For example, using the accessibility settings in King County’s enterprise communication tools such as Microsoft Windows, Office 365, and Teams can enable everyone to easily collaborate. Visit KCIT’s new site that provides accessibility recommendations, organized by disability type: vision, hearing, neurodiversity, learning, mobility, and mental health.
King County Affinity Group celebrates National LGBTQ+ History Month by highlighting author Dr. Darcie Little Badger
This week, for National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group wants to celebrate Dr. Darcie Little Badger. Indigenous futurist Little Badger identifies as a queer, asexual Apache woman, and her book Elatsoe features an asexual Apache teen protagonist. Learn more about Little Badger and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.
DNRP archeologist helps repatriate historic flintlock rifle to Muckleshoot Tribe
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green A unique piece of 19th century Native American history purchased at a garage sale half a century ago has been returned to its rightful owners, thanks to work by the King County Historic Preservation Program. Lane Corry, a Preston resident who long ago bought the rusted old rifle at a garage sale, recently contacted Historic Preservation Program archaeologist Phil LeTourneau because Lane wasn’t sure what to do with the artifact. Read more.
King County Affinity Group celebrates National LGBTQ+ History Month by highlighting activist Heather Purser
This week, for National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group celebrates Heather Purser. Purser is a Suquamish activist that successfully advocated for her tribe to legally recognize same-sex marriages in 2011, before they were recognized in Washington. Learn more about Purser and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.
Disability Rights Washington’s Week Without Driving Challenge
The annual Disability Rights Washington’s Week Without Driving Challenge was recently held across the state, and numerous King County employees, Councilmembers, and residents participated in the event. The challenge encourages those who normally drive to spend a full week using alternative modes of transportation to experience what it’s like for non-drivers to access our community, especially those with disabilities. Read more here and watch the video below.
King County Affinity Group celebrates National LGBTQ+ History Month by highlighting activist Dede Oetomo
In honor of October being National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group plans to celebrate a different individual every week. This week, the group highlights Dede Oetomo, an Indonesian LGBTQ+ rights activist who founded both Lambda Indonesia and Gaya Nusantara, organizations that support LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones. Learn more about Oetomo and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County… Read More
School-to-Work program connects students with disabilities to employers
Since 2005, the King County School-to-Work program has been partnering with businesses to hire students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, both strengthening and diversifying their workforce. The effort brings together schools, state, and employment agencies to connect students with employment services while still in their high school transition programs. “Our motto is jobs by June,” said coordinator Richard Wilson, “and the program is designed to assist students to find paid employment before leaving school.” Currently, the School-to-Work program is serving its 18th cohort of students. Throughout the years, they’ve placed students in… Read More
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