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
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
Celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act, July 26 and 27
The American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) is turning 30 on Sunday, July 26, 2020. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs’ and services. In honor of this groundbreaking legislation, King County, the City of Seattle and the Northwest ADA Center have put together a three-hour block of television programming that highlights individual stories about disability, ways to support accessibility, and challenges that remain for individuals with a disability in our community. Please join us… Read More
Learning about your benefits: Life and disability insurance
In this short video, learn about the life and disability insurance options available to you as a new employee, during qualifying life events, and during Open Enrollment. This video is part of a short created to help employees make informed choices about their options, and better understand their employee benefits package. View all the videos here, and get more information and resources on the Benefits, Payroll and Retirement website.
Creating efficiencies through Supported Employment
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace. Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More
Reasonable Accommodations in King County Superior Court
This story is part of our series celebrating Disability Awareness Month. Access to justice for all persons is a fundamental right; however, for individuals with a sensory, mental or physical disability, this access can be filled with challenges. Implemented in 2007, Washington State General Court Rule 33 (GR 33) was designed to assure that persons with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to the judicial system. GR 33 requires courts to provide prompt response to requests for accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Washington State Law Against Discrimination… Read More
Improved services for customers with disabilities
Crosssposted from Metro Matters Metro’s new Access Paratransit operator, MV Transportation, brings a renewed customer service focus to the service, with offerings on the horizon including app-based scheduling, expanded multilingual support, higher on-time performance, and tighter pick-up and drop-off windows. But first, when Metro’s new contract with MV begins October 26, operations will focus on creating a seamless transition for customers and helping them know the resources available to them, should they need extra assistance. Access, Metro’s American Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit program, is for people whose disabilities prevent them from using Metro’s… Read More
Meaningful program creates workplace efficiencies and opportunities for employees
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace. Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More
King County Council recognizes 2019 Disability Awareness Month
On Oct. 16, 2019, the Metropolitan King County Council proclaimed October as Disability Awareness Month in King County, celebrating the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community and workforce. The proclamation is a reminder of our continued efforts to break down barriers so that people of all abilities can share their unique abilities, perspectives and talents. Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in… Read More
Employee News 