BUILD supports DIN, honors Disability Employment and Awareness Month

The Disability Inclusion Network invites all state agencies to join us during the month of October for Disability Employment and Awareness month.  A time to learn, understand and consider the value persons with disabilities bring to the workforce and our communities. Disability inclusion is a fundamental core of our statewide Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts to create and sustain the Governor’s initiative for a “Respectful and Inclusive Workplace.”  The DIN wants the State of Washington to be an employer of choice for persons with disabilities

As we honor Disability Employment Month and the incredible contributions that people with disabilities have made to the state and country, as well as the workforce, we also would like to elevate the voices and experiences of our colleagues with disabilities who face additional forms of oppression, such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and sexism. Their contributions and perspectives are critical to realizing social justice in our state.
For additional resources to celebrate disability as diversity this month and deepen your efforts to hire people with disabilities, please visit:

• Governor Inslee’s Executive order 13-02: Improving Employment Opportunities and Outcomes for People with Disabilities
• Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment GCDE
• US. Department of Labor’s National Disability Employment Month Resources
• Hear from youth with disabilities in Washington about what it means to have pride in identity: Disability History and Pride Project
• U.S Office of Personnel Management Federal Disability and Employment
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions EEOC
• Job Accommodation Network: AskJan
• Employee Assistance and Resource Network Disability Inclusion EARN
• Washington’s Protection and Advocacy System Disability Rights Washington
• Supported Employment Services Northwest Center People of all abilities
• Careers with Department Services for the Blind Careers with DSB
• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation DVR employment resources  
• Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation TVR Employment Resources
• U.S. Department of Labor blog Advancing Compliance Solution
• The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program's (OFCCP) Southeast Region will host the "I AM ABLE – Access Ability Individuals with Disabilities" virtual meeting on October 6: I am Able: Access Ability Individuals with Disabilities
• Conference on Disability Advocacy 2020 Increasing Access and Opportunity
• Manufacturing Workforce Solutions for the Disabled Community Inclusive design solutions for disabled communities
• Intersectionality Panel: Race and Disability Experts and advocates on disability and race