Working to end domestic violence 

This month, we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month in King County to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and how we can stop it. 

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States – more than 10 million people each year – according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. There is also concern that these numbers will jump as a result of social distancing and quarantine during COVID-19. 

King County is committed to stopping domestic violence in our community and at work. The County's updated Domestic Violence in the Workplace policy encourages employees who have experienced domestic violence or those at risk of experiencing domestic violence to talk to their supervisor, a Human Resources representative, or the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to get the assistance they need. As trained and credentialed counselors, the EAP providers know that each domestic violence situation is different and that the individual facts should be considered to best assist an employee. Read more. 

Disability Awareness Month: Ableism and ally-ship in the workplace 

For people with disabilities, navigating a society constructed by and for people considered to have “typical” abilities can be a constant battle, and one that further entrenches the discrimination they face. 

According to the 2010 census, nearly 1 in 5 Americans experience disability. Some people’s disabilities are visible to others and include physical disabilities such as blindness, deafness, prosthetic limbs, or wheelchair usage. Other people’s disabilities may be less visible or not visually apparent at all, such as behavioral health conditions (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress), Traumatic Brain Injuries, developmental and intellectual disabilities, migraines, or cancer.  

Despite the wide variety of disabilities and the high percentage of Americans with disabilities, disability discrimination remains widespread and entrenched. This is partly due to what is called “ableism.” 

What is ableism? Ableism refers not just to the discrimination experienced by people with disabilities, but also the reinforcement of past and current practices and constructs that were created by and for individuals perceived as “typically” abled. Read more.

Navigating the coronavirus pandemic with a disability 

Every October, King County recognizes Disability Awareness Month. On Oct. 13, the County Council officially proclaimed October as Disability Awareness Month, and this past July, King County also marked the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990. These efforts celebrate the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community and workforce here at King County. 

This year, due to COVID-19, the Disability Awareness Month Committee has been developing a conversation about how people with disabilities are being impacted by the pandemic. The Committee created an interactive multimedia article, “Navigating the coronavirus pandemic with disability,” to introduce issues, share stories, provide resources for individuals and families, and give everyone helpful tips to support people of all ages and abilities in our workplaces and communities. Several King County employees and service providers shared their perspectives and how they are problem solving in a difficult time. 

To learn more about the pandemic experience for people with disabilities, and join in the conversation please click on the link below. If you would like to participate in the Disability Awareness Month Committee, please contact Christina.Davidson@kingcounty.gov. 

View the interactive multimedia article “Navigating the coronavirus pandemic with a disability” at https://arcg.is/0CG0Cm. 

Join us for a conversation on the impacts of the pandemic while living with a disability 

There are many different types of disabilities: physical and mental, invisible and visible, temporary and permanent. The pandemic has had a unique impact on the lives of people with all types of disabilities, bringing joy, relief, and difficulty. Join the Disability Awareness Committee, Balanced You, and the Employee Assistance Program in a live, virtual conversation on the impacts of the pandemic while livin with a disability. 

This conversation will feature employees with disabilities who will share their experiences and stories of living and adapting through 2020, alongside employees from Disability Services who will share resources available to support employees with disabilities. All King County employees are invited to join. 

This free event takes place Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. To register, click here.  For more information on the event, visit this Balanced You blogpost. 

Reasonable Accommodations in King County Superior Court 

Access to justice for all persons is a fundamental right; however, for individuals with a sensory, cognitive, 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 (ADA) of 1990 and the Washington State Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60). The rule also requires each court in Washington state to designate a principal point of contact for the public in need of accommodation from the court, and must publish instructions and a request form for the public to use. Courts are permitted to request additional information about an individual’s qualifying disability to assist in determining the appropriate accommodation. The rule applies not only to accommodations needed in court hearings and trials, but also addresses access to court programs and services. Read more. 

Attend an Open Enrollment education session 

Open Enrollment for next year’s benefits is coming up, Nov. 1–15. Get a head start on understanding your 2021 benefits by attending an upcoming information session. Join your Benefits team for a live Zoom meeting to: 

• Learn more about your 2021 benefit choices 
• Find out about the updated PeopleSoft Open Enrollment tool 
• See what’s changing next year 
• Discover why it’s important that you participate in Open Enrollment 
• Ask questions and get assistance 

Register for an Open Enrollment information session. The live sessions are offered on a variety of days to times to accommodate your schedule. If you can’t attend, please watch the Open Enrollment Overview video. 

For additional information and tools, go to Open Enrollment or contact the King County Benefits Team at KC Benefits or 206-684-1556.