National Disability Employment Awareness Month is celebrated every October by King County to honor the many contributions made by people with disabilities, and how these individuals strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our country.

This past year, the Disability Awareness Committee organized a wide series of articles and events to highlight these contributions, including:

Universal Design for Meetings, Events and Trainings: This event was hosted by the King County Department of Human Resources and featured Blayne Amson, City of Bellevue Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI Program Administrator. Amson discussed his work applying the principles of Universal Design to meetings, trainings, and events. Blayne is a powerchair user, holds a Masters in Disability Studies, and has over 15 years of experience helping the non-disabled adopt an anti-ableist lens in the work they do. View the event online here.

Disability Awareness Month Employee Panel: This panel, titled “So I disclosed my disability, what’s next?”, featured employees with disabilities who shared their personal experiences of disability disclosure, perspective from a supervisor’s understanding, alongside a Disability Service representative who shared resources available to support employees with disabilities and the process of navigating accommodations. View the panel online here and learn more about the panel here.

Considering Accessibility on Capital Improvement Projects: This webinar featured King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division discussing how to better consider accessibility in projects to support project teams and our communities, a major priority as King County carries out major capital projects to build roads, stormwater and wastewater utilities, transportation facilities and more. View the webinar online here.

To get involved with organizing events and programs that celebrate the anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, better known as the ADA, every year in July, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, please contact Christina Davidson at Christina.Davidson@kingcounty.gov.

Additional King County Disability services, resources, and contact information

As employees of King County, our True North guides the work we do and the services we provide, “Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.”

As an employer, King County offers the same commitment to those who bring that mission to life. Guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and our pledge to equity and social justice, King County provides an array of services and support for employees with disabilities.

Click here to see the full list of resources.