University of Washington Employment Program

The UW Employment Program works to create and support mutually beneficial relationships between people with disabilities and the businesses that hire them. In order to accomplish this mission, UWEP staff address three major goals:

1. To develop and implement new or expanded programs relating to employment of persons with disabilities;
2. To provide outreach and marketing of all program services to the community; and
3. To provide direct service to clients with a wide range of disabilities.

UWEP staff members serve and advocate for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and other types of physical and cognitive disabilities such as acquired brain injury. They also provide direct services to clients and work to ensure successful and equitable employment through working with employers, parents, agencies, and other support personnel. Direct services include job development, job placement, job training, and continued employment support.

UWEP collaborates with numerous agencies to provide employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities. UWEP works with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, King County Division of Developmental Disabilities, and is a member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. UWEP also works with the Washington Education Association staff to develop and deliver training on employment issues for youth with disabilities to teachers statewide.

Other activities include assessment and career exploration services for adolescents with disabilities that inform both school district personnel and rehabilitation counselors about student interests and aptitudes, and workshops on disability and employment issues for employers, community members and professionals.