10/3/13 Supported Employment Program www.microsoft.com/about/companyinformation/procurement/diversity/en/us/supportedEmploymentProgram.aspx### 1/4 Procurement Supported Employment Program Making a Difference The mission of Microsoft's Supported Employment program is simple: Partner with vendors and local employment agencies to make a substantial difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities who might otherwise be overlooked in the job market. People with developmental disabilities face particular challenges in the job market. We believe with the right training and support they can become successful, productive workers with jobs that match their interests and abilities. Having fulfilling employment also promotes their independence and helps them become fully integrated members of their communities. Microsoft has an enduring commitment to fulfilling public responsibilities and serving the needs of people in communities worldwide, including those with disabilities. This commitment extends beyond products and services; it includes community and civic involvement to better the lives of underserved populations. The Supported Employment program furthers these goals by creating opportunities for workers with developmental disabilities to be employed by Microsoft vendors. Providing Opportunities As one of the largest corporations in Washington State, Microsoft works with hundreds of vendor companies contracted to provide services at its many properties throughout Puget Sound—from dining and transportation to facility services, office administration and more. Many of our vendors have jobs that individuals with developmental disabilities are capable of performing. Microsoft has recognized it has a rich opportunity to partner with vendors and local employment agencies to create job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities at Microsoft facilities throughout Puget Sound in such roles as food prep, janitorial, dishwasher, landscaping, reception, office moves, office administration and furniture warehouse. Local employment agencies support these individuals and maximize their opportunities for success by providing them with specialized, ongoing training and one-on-one supervision and coaching. Workers with developmental disabilities receive wages and benefits from their vendor employers, plus the social benefits of working alongside colleagues of all abilities. Participating Employment Agencies Microsoft has partnered with the following employment agencies specializing in supported employment for people with developmental disabilities. These agencies provide the high-quality training and support that is vital to the success of the Supported Employment program and play an integral role in sourcing employment opportunities with our vendor partners. AtWork! Cares of Washington Highline Community College Mainstay at Seattle Central Northwest Center Provail Puget Sound Personnel Trillium Work Opportunities Vadis Download Employment Agency List Success Stories Meet some of the employees who are making a difference as part of the Supported Employment program. Tim, an employee of Pitney Bowes, has been delivering packages and mail on the Microsoft campus since 1996. Puget Sound Personnel has been his supported employment vendor for over 20 years and has helped Tim with many transitions and changes in his current position. Tim excels in delivering outstanding customer service and is a true advocate for helping to enhance the employee experience to Procurement Our Process Microsoft Vendor Program Supplier Diversity Program Register Your Interest Glossary Share S S S M Home Process MSvendor Supplier Diversity Register Glossary Sign in United States (English) Search Microsoft.com
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10/3/13 Supported Employment Program
www.microsoft.com/about/companyinformation/procurement/diversity/en/us/supportedEmploymentProgram.aspx### 1/4
Procurement
Supported Employment Program
Making a Difference
The mission of Microsoft's Supported Employment program is simple: Partner with vendors and local employment
agencies to make a substantial difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities who might
otherwise be overlooked in the job market. People with developmental disabilities face particular challenges in the
job market. We believe with the right training and support they can become successful, productive workers with
jobs that match their interests and abilities. Having fulfilling employment also promotes their independence and
helps them become fully integrated members of their communities.
Microsoft has an enduring commitment to fulfilling public responsibilities and serving the needs of people in
communities worldwide, including those with disabilities. This commitment extends beyond products and services;
it includes community and civic involvement to better the lives of underserved populations. The Supported
Employment program furthers these goals by creating opportunities for workers with developmental disabilities
to be employed by Microsoft vendors.
Providing Opportunities
As one of the largest corporations in Washington State, Microsoft works with hundreds of vendor companies
contracted to provide services at its many properties throughout Puget Sound—from dining and transportation to
facility services, office administration and more. Many of our vendors have jobs that individuals with
developmental disabilities are capable of performing. Microsoft has recognized it has a rich opportunity to
partner with vendors and local employment agencies to create job opportunities for people with developmental
disabilities at Microsoft facilities throughout Puget Sound in such roles as food prep, janitorial, dishwasher,
landscaping, reception, office moves, office administration and furniture warehouse.
Local employment agencies support these individuals and maximize their opportunities for success by providing
them with specialized, ongoing training and one-on-one supervision and coaching. Workers with developmental
disabilities receive wages and benefits from their vendor employers, plus the social benefits of working alongside
colleagues of all abilities.
Participating Employment Agencies
Microsoft has partnered with the following employment agencies specializing in supported employment for
people with developmental disabilities. These agencies provide the high-quality training and support that is vital
to the success of the Supported Employment program and play an integral role in sourcing employment
opportunities with our vendor partners.
AtWork!
Cares of Washington
Highline Community College
Mainstay at Seattle Central
Northwest Center
Provail
Puget Sound Personnel
Trillium
Work Opportunities
Vadis
Download Employment Agency List
Success Stories
Meet some of the employees who are making a difference as part of the Supported Employment program.
Tim, an employee of Pitney Bowes, has been delivering packages and mail on the
Microsoft campus since 1996. Puget Sound Personnel has been his supported
employment vendor for over 20 years and has helped Tim with many transitions
and changes in his current position. Tim excels in delivering outstanding customer
service and is a true advocate for helping to enhance the employee experience to
Procurement
Our Process
Microsoft Vendor Program
Supplier Diversity Program
Register Your Interest
Glossary
Share
ShareShareShareMore
Home Process MSvendor Supplier Diversity Register Glossary
Sign in
United States (English)Search Microsoft.com
10/3/13 Supported Employment Program
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What population of supported workers is the primary
focus of this initiative?
What is a developmental disability?
Why is Microsoft interested in supported
The primary focus of this initiative is to create job opportunities with select Microsoft vendors for people
with developmental disabilities who need initial and long-term job training and job supports to secure and
maintain employment.
Under Washington State RCW71A.10.020(3) the definition in law of a developmental disability is a disability
attributable to:
Intellectual Disability
Cerebral Palsy
Epilepsy
Autism
A neurological or other condition closely related to intellectual disability or that requires treatment
similar to that required for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Which:
Originated before the individual attained age eighteen
Continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely
Results in substantial limitations to an individual's intellectual and/or adaptive functioning.
Tim
Customer Service Associate
Pitney Bowes
everyone he meets. He is cheerful, efficient and one of the nicest guys you will
ever meet!
Cassandra
Receptionist
Pitney Bowes
As a high school senior Cassandra participated in a school-to-work program.
With the help of Puget Sound Personnel, Cassandra became employed by a
Microsoft vendor which assigned her to a reception role at Microsoft in 2007. Her
dream job was to be a receptionist where she could interact with visitors and
customers. Cassie has received rave reviews from her Pitney Bowes managers and
coworkers, as well as customers and visitors, for her positive attitude, warm smile
and strong work ethic.
Gunnar
Food Prep Assistant
Compass Group
Photos courtesy of Puget
Sound Personnel
Supported by Puget Sound Personnel and employed by Compass Group, Gunnar
has been working on the Microsoft campus since 1997 and is a professional,
outgoing and motivated individual. He began working as a dishwasher at the
Sammamish campus. As a result of Gunnar’s hard work and dedication, he
received a promotion in 2010 and moved to the Bellevue City Center location
where he is able to do his dream job in food prep.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Supported Employment Program FAQs
10/3/13 Supported Employment Program
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employment?
Which vendors will be hiring and what kinds of jobs
may become available?
Is there a targeted age range for people eligible for
jobs through this hiring initiative?
Who will be identifying the opportunities for
supported employment?
Which employment agencies will be providing the
training and long term support to the supported
Microsoft has a strong history of partnering with employment agencies and government institutions to enrich
our communities and provide opportunities for underserved populations. Before the start of this initiative to
expand supported employment opportunities, there were twenty-nine supported employees working for
Microsoft vendors on the campus.
According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2012, about 27% of individuals with disabilities were
employed, compared to a 70.4% employment rate for people without disabilities. (See the report:
Employment status of the civilian non-institutional population by disability status and age, 2011 and 2012
annual averages.)
Individuals with developmental disabilities or other significant disabilities are likely to experience even more
difficulty becoming employed in comparison to others with disabilities.
With its corporate headquarters in Redmond/Bellevue, and hundreds of contracted vendors, it is clear that
Microsoft can foster tremendous potential for a significant number of people with developmental disabilities
to secure employment with vendors who provide services at Microsoft locations.
Microsoft has teamed with select vendor partners to increase the number of individuals with developmental
disabilities employed by the vendors on Microsoft's Puget Sound campuses. Examples of jobs that may
become available include:
Reception
Janitorial
Office cleanup and organizing
Landscaping
Furniture warehouse (moving and delivery)
Food prep
Dishwasher
Office administration
Mail delivery services
Typically, individuals with developmental disabilities who will be eligible for supported employment
opportunities will be age 21 or over. However, younger individuals who are connected to an adult school
transition program, and are eligible for services from a supported employment agency that is connected to
the school program, may also be eligible for the jobs.
CBRE, a Microsoft vendor, has hired a Supported Employment Program Manager who will be responsible for
working with the vendors on the Redmond Campus to identify job opportunities for individuals with
disabilities participating in the Supported Employment program.
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workers?
How do people access information about supported
employment opportunities with Microsoft vendors?
What steps should a person with developmental
disabilities take to engage in the program?
Microsoft conducted a selection process to identify the employment agencies that will provide the job
training and other long term support to the supported employees. These agencies are specifically focused
on providing supported employment for adults with developmental disabilities. At this time, there are ten
King County agencies participating. We are planning to expand the project to allow other King County and
neighboring county employment agencies to provide this support.
There will be a specific list of distribution points for supported employment job opportunities. The list will
include the employment agencies designated to provide training and long-term support services. The
agencies will determine which individuals are qualified for the Supported Employment program. To seek
referral or to obtain other information about receiving supported employment services from a qualified
agency, please contact your Washington State Developmental Disabilities Administration Case Resource
Manager or the King County Developmental Disabilities Division.
Preparing people with developmental disabilities for the work community involves some research, planning
and education.
Choosing the right employment agency is important to both the individual and their family. Research to
determine which agency best fits the needs is a great start. Thoughtful planning will help make for a
smooth transition to the work environment. The approved employment agencies specialize in this transition
planning. The agencies can educate and guide individuals and families through State and Federal
Government requirements if needed.
Once an agency is identified they can provide further information about the positions available on the
Microsoft campus.
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