Employment Training Program
Participant Guide

This entire guide is also available for download as an MS Word file:
Participant Guide_8-2008.doc

To be eligible for services from the Employment Training Program, you must:

1. Be between the ages of 18 and 65.
2. Must have an acceptable way of paying for our services. Most participants are sponsored by King County Developmental Disabilities Division and/or the Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
3. Have access to reliable transportation. (For example, you must learn to take a Metro bus and be able to get to the bus stop.)
4. Be willing to work and actively participate in our program.
5. Agree to the rules of the program and follow them.

King County is fortunate to have a wide range of employment services for people with developmental disabilities. Each vendor has advantages and disadvantages.  We encourage applicants to look at several programs and then choose the one that most closely fits your needs.

Some of these other programs and their phone numbers are:

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The Employment Training Program seeks to promote a society where all  individuals receive the supports necessary to fully participate in their community and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

To create, foster, and support mutually beneficial employment relationships between people with disabilities and the businesses that hire them.

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The University of Washington Employment Training Program (ETP) is a national leader in developing and implementing support services for adults with disabilities. Our goal is to provide resources to individuals with a disability seeking to establish themselves as independent, contributing members of their community.

ETP was the first training program in the nation designed to train and place adults with developmental disabilities into competitive employment. We made our first successful placement in 1976.

Our Employment Specialists look for jobs in the community that match the skills and needs of the individuals in our program. They provide on-the-job training once a client is hired and gradually reduce their presence as the person becomes increasingly independent.

While they are still at the job site, the Employment Specialists provide consultation to supervisors and co-workers to help make everyone's adjustment to the new employee more comfortable. They are available for consultation for the length of the person's employment.

Some of the ways businesses and industries benefit by hiring through ETP are:

1. Employees with developmental disabilities tend to stay longer in entry level jobs.  This helps alleviate some of the expense of heavy turnover in these positions.
2. Statistically, employees with developmental disabilities have proven themselves to be equal or better than their non-disabled co-workers in safety, attendance and work performance.
3. While a disabled worker is doing the more repetitive, fundamental tasks, professional and technically trained employees can spend their time on those tasks that demand their level of expertise.
4. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it clear that the American public feels it is in the best interest of a healthy economy and democratic society for employers to hire workers with disabilities when they can do the work.

Ace Hardware
Eddie Bauer
King County Public Libraries
Nordstrom
Pagliacci Pizza
Safeway
Seattle City Light
Starbucks Coffee
University of Washington

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As a UW ETP client, you have the following rights:

1. Your participation in the UW ETP program is voluntary. You decide if you wish to work with us at UW ETP and you may end your program at any time.
2. You have the right to personal dignity and self-respect and you will be treated accordingly.
3. You have the right to an individualized program (within funding and service limitations) that will assist you in reaching your individual goals.
4. You have the right to take an active role in your program planning.  Staff members will support you in actively participating in all planning decisions.
5. You have the right to full participation in the development and implementation of program plans, including the right to give or withhold consent.
6. You have the right to request accommodations or give input regarding reasonable accommodations (as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) so you may have access to UW ETP program services.
7. You have the right to seek redress for grievances according to procedures as outlined in this Participant Guide on page 18. If you choose to register a complaint, you will not lose your rights to services for which you are eligible at UW ETP. If you chose to select another agency for your employment services, UW ETP will assist you in the transition to another agency, including releasing information with your written consent to the receiving agency and informing your DVR counselor and/or DDD casemanager.  A written report on the resolution of your complaint will be sent to you within 14 working days of resolution.
8. You, or your legal representative, are entitled to examine all of your files, reports, and progress materials originated by UW ETP staff members.  Information from, or access to Client records, shall be governed by the “Release of Information Procedure”.  Signing a “Release of Information” form is required.  All of your information will be treated as confidential information. We also ask that you sign and date the “File Review Form” in your case file each time you review your file.
9. Confidential information regarding a Client will not be given to individuals or agencies without your express written consent or that of your legal guardian.  You have the right to decline giving permission for release of information.  When release of information is granted, you have the right to specify what information is to be released, to whom, and when this permission expires.
10. In no case shall any person be subject to verbal, mental, or physical abuse.  Every person has the right to be treated in ways that seek to maximize their personal safety, respect, and dignity.  All treatment techniques shall meet these standards of personal dignity and self-respect.
11. If you bring complaints and evidence of mistreatment or abuse occurring outside the influence of UW ETP, we will be the responsibility to acquaint you with the means to take advantage of legal aid representatives, client advocates or protective services.  In accordance with Snohomish and King County’s  “Policy for Intervention in Cases of Abuse or Neglect, UW ETP is legally obligated to record and sign a written report of all alleged abuse and fax this report to both Snohomish County or King County DDD and Adult Protective Services within 24 hours.
12. You have the right to refuse to participate in any type of research or experimental program.  Persons volunteering shall remain anonymous and shall be covered under the University of Washington’s Human Subjects Policy.
13. Good work behaviors will be taught through the provision of positive behavioral supports.  All forms of discipline shall be humane and maintain personal dignity.  The methods and procedures for maintaining order are covered in the Policy on Positive Behavior Support.
14. UW ETP shall be alert and make every effort to ensure the rights of all program Clients.  If you feel your rights have been infringed upon, you may use the UW ETP grievance procedures, or as an alternative, you may contact your DVR Counselor (the main state office number is 1-800-637-5627, your DDD Case Manger (the number for Region 4 headquarters, King County is 1-800-314-3296) or the Client Assistance Program at 1-800-544-2121 (voice/TTY).
15. You have the right to independently choose a service provider and to change service providers at any time.
16. You have the right to be free from discrimination because of your race, creed, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.
17. If your employment services are funded through King County DDD, UW ETP is required to work with you to identify/develop all potential funding resources (i.e. Social Security Work Incentive, DVR funding options, Transition funding, or parent/family contribution) for your employment services. We will make every effort to facilitate this process for you.

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