Volunteers needed to work on statewide disability issues
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness month, guest blogger Elizabeth Gordon, Executive Director of the Governor’s Committee for Disability Issues and Employment, talks about the role of the GCDE and explains how to get involved.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Here at the Governor’s Committee for Disability Issues & Employment, every month is dedicated to full participation and equal opportunity for Washingtonians with disabilities.
The GCDE is administered by the Washington Employment Security Department. It’s led by 27 volunteer committee members appointed by the governor. Members come from around the state and are largely people with disabilities or family members of people with disabilities. They are joined by an additional 22 governmental leaders and advocates who serve as associate members.
Our dedicated volunteers impact the community in many ways:
· Our Youth Leadership Forum camp provides youth the opportunity to learn leadership skills in an environment that promotes growth in their pride as people with disabilities and as part of the disability community.
· With funding from the Accessible Communities Act, we are able to award grants to counties that are making accessibility improvements. We also mentor counties who are building their own accessible community advisory committees.
· Each year we recognize Washington businesses through the Governor’s Employer Awards. The awards shine a light on businesses and service providers who recognize that hiring people with disabilities creates a vibrant, creative workforce. This year’s event takes place on Nov. 1 at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond.
· Our community outreach team travels across the state connecting people with disabilities to their local service providers and elected officials. The committee helps recommend and develop policies and actions that promote equal access to services specific to that community.
The GCDE is currently recruiting members to fill 12 vacancies. New members are appointed by the governor to serve an initial three-year term, with an opportunity to be reappointed for a second term.
If you are interested in issues affecting people with disabilities and want to influence state decision makers, apply by Nov. 8, 2019, to become a member of the GCDE. For more information about the qualifications for and responsibilities of committee members, check out Become a Member on our website. If you have additional questions, please email Elaine Stefanowicz or call 360–902–9362.
