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Media Contact: Elaine Stefanowicz, Governor's Committee on Disability Issue & Employment, 360-902-9362
 

OLYMPIA - If you’re interested in issues affecting people with disabilities and want to influence state decision makers, apply by Sept. 30 to become a member of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE).

The GCDE is currently recruiting members to fill three vacancies on the 27-member committee. The governor appoints new members to serve an initial three-year term, with an opportunity to be reappointed for a second term.

Committee members can live anywhere in Washington state and must be people with a disability, have family member(s) with a disability or work as an advocate for people with disabilities.

Members identify issues and concerns about the rights and needs of people with disabilities and make recommendations to the governor, Legislature, state agencies, business community, organized labor and other public and private organizations.

“Being a GCDE member has allowed me to contribute to statewide programs and activities that address my areas of interest: the challenges of people with disabilities, and related issues such as economic equity and social justice,” said Scott Bellman, GCDE committee member. “The GCDE also offers opportunities to collaborate with like-minded people to imagine new projects and get feedback on my ideas."

Committee members serve on subcommittees that work on a variety of projects, such as community outreach, the Youth Leadership Forum and an employer awards program.

Find more information and application materials on the Become a member page of the GCDE website. You also can learn about current members and committee projects.

Contact Elaine Stefanowicz at 360-902-9362 with questions.

The GCDE is administered by the Washington State Employment Security Department.