Employment Security Department wins awards for disability inclusion

  • Benefit programs
  • ESD
  • Job seekers

Released on

Name
Chris Barron, Communications Director
Email
media@esd.wa.gov

OLYMPIA – Employment Security Department recently took home two awards for its exemplary leadership in disability inclusion.

Employment Security received the agency-wide Respect, Acceptance and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (RADD) award from the Disability Inclusion Network (DIN). The award recognized ESD for its commitment to its core values of access, equity and belonging. Bill Kinyon, an Employment Security Department employee who works at WorkSource Spokane, also received the Advocate of the Year award. DIN said Kinyon “builds empowering relationships and respect for people with disabilities and identifies and removes structural barriers to access.”

“We are honored to receive these awards from the Disability Inclusion Network,” said Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek. “Our mission is to contribute to healthy communities by providing people equitable access to the resources they need to improve their economic security. We don’t do this work to receive awards, but being recognized in this area is extremely meaningful.”

The Disability Inclusion Network (DIN) is a business resource group for members of the disabled community and allies who work for Washington state agencies, higher education institutions and more. Learn more about the DIN on its website.

Employment Security provides a financial safety net through unemployment benefits or paid family and medical leave. Along with state and community partners, the agency helps people find jobs and employers find workers thought WorkSource. Employment Security also provides the latest labor market information.

Learn more: