King County Supported Employment Program highlighted at national conference
Christina Davidson and Jeff Casem from the Disability Services Section of the Department of Human Resources recently presented on King County’s Supported Employment Program at the National Associate of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) Directors Forum and Mid-Year Conference. The conference featured a national audience of approximately 200-250 state directors of services, senior management, policy makers, self-advocates, researchers and providers from all over the country in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their interest was in learning how to take on policies for the employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and embedding in… Read More
Supported Employment in Transit: Brandon Sims
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County government. Department of Metro Transit’s Vehicle Maintenance Division partnered with Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager, to hire through the Program to meet their business needs at the Non-Revenue Base detailing vehicles. Big thank you to Transit leadership for their commitment in building an inclusive workforce! Brandon Sims started working with the Transit in July of 2018 to provide support around the shop as well as detail non-revenue vehicles, all none bus… Read More
King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employee featured for work promoting disability rights
Lori Bridgewater, a paralegal in the Homicide and Violent Crimes unit within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was recently highlighted by KIRO 7 News. A long-time employee, Lori recently suffered a stroke and now uses a wheelchair. Lori has received services from King County Disability Services, and has been supported through the accommodation and return to work process. She has used this experience to raise awareness about accessibility issues for people and how buildings and locations can work to become more ADA compliant. To view the full story, read more here. You can make an… Read More
Supported Employment in Roads Division: Matt Everson
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County government. Roads Division partnered with Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager, to hire through the Program to meet their business needs. Matt Everson started working with the Roads Division in December of 2017 to provide support around recycling and other tasks. “[Matt] is just a part of the family now. People from front-line employees to management love to interact with Matt. He’s been a great addition to the team,” stated Jeremy Ferguson,… Read More
Breaking down barriers with Supported Employment: Janet Mejie
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County government. One of the new hires is Janet Mejie, who recently started working in Transit Safety & Training section. “It’s made us more efficient and more effective as a safety staff in general in the Safety office to have this type of backing and support from Janet,” said Michael Marks, Superintendent Transit Safety. Watch the short video below that highlights Janet in the Supported Employment Program and contact Christina Davidson to learn more about ways you… Read More
Helping employees get back to work
King County’s Return-to-Work (RTW) Program assists employees who have been injured or ill transition back into the workforce, a program that benefits both employees and the County. “This year I’m looking to place two employees with temporary medical restrictions in Renton with the Elections team during their upcoming busy election schedule,” said Jamie Christensen, Disability Services Consultant with King County’s Disability Services, Leaves and Supported Employment section in the Department of Human Resources. “If I can find employees for departments requesting transitional duty workers, then that’s interviews that departments don’t need to… Read More
Supported Employment Program recognized at Governor’s Employer Award Program
King County’s Supported Employment Program was nominated for the Employment and Disability Issue Governor Awards for 2018 Public Sector Employer of the Year. The awards ceremony was held at the Microsoft Conference Center on Wednesday, October 17. The program was recognized by the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) for the efforts of public employers (federal, state, local government) and their efforts to recruit, hire and advance the employment of individuals with disabilities. Although King County did not win the award, (hats off to the City of Bellevue) this was a great opportunity to not only… Read More
Get to know 2018 Giving Drive nonprofits – Spotlight on organizations serving people with a disability
Each year King County employees help hundreds of nonprofit organizations do vital work in our community and around the world by donating through the Employee Giving Program, and this year’s Annual Giving Drive is now underway. As we recognize Disability Awareness Month this October, here are four participating nonprofits whose work helps people with disabilities in our community: The Arc of King County(9233) – Serving individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities through case management, peer support, leadership training, and advocacy. Alpha Supported Living Service(9033) – Providing 24/7 support for people with developmental and… Read More
Disability Awareness Month two part Lunch and Learn, Oct. 18 and 24
The Department of Executive Services and Human Resources Division have cosponsored two interactive lunch and learn events that trace the rise of the Disability Rights Movement in the United States, Oct. 18 and 24. From the first stirrings after WWII, through the intersections of race, visibility of the disabled, and economics in activism, to the famous Capital Crawl, the classes will uncover the unexpected connections that led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The event is first come first serve with seating available for up to 40 people. Please… Read More
Inclusive process results in more accountability and higher customer standards for Metro’s Access paratransit service
King County Metro’s American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Paratransit Program provides shared rides on Access Transportation for people whose disability(ies) prevent them from using fixed route bus or light rail service. Access Transportation provided nearly 1 million trips last year, serving about 10,000 customers. With the help of customers and advocates, King County Metro is scheduled to have a new contract to improve Access service beginning in August 2019. Metro first asked for contractor proposals last year; however, Access riders and other stakeholders communicated their disappointment that they were not… Read More
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