Lynnae Ruttledge has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration by President Barack Obama.

Ruttledge served as the Director of the Washington Department of Social and Health Service, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation since 2005. She was responsible for leading Washington’s vocational rehabilitation program – working annually with over 23,000 individuals with significant disabilities to achieve their vocational goals. Previously, Ruttledge served in leadership positions at the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for more than 25 years. Ruttledge received the Washington Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management in 2007.

As a person born with a disability, Ruttledge received assistance from the vocational rehabilitation program and graduated from the Northern Michigan University with a B.A. in Education.

Skills Inc. has joined the Community Employment ALLIANCE (CEA), formerly the Rehabilitation Enterprise of Washington.

The CEA is a new advocacy organization with a membership comprised of Employment Service Providers interested in promoting employment for persons with disabilities. This organization was founded to combat the disproportionally high unemployment rate among persons with disabilities; only 22% of persons with disabilities are employed compared with 71% of those without disabilities. The CEA’s main focus is to transform the workplace thereby eliminating the widespread misconceptions and stereotypes that stand in the way of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The CEA aims to accomplish their mission through two main initiatives: transforming the service delivery system and transforming service providers.

Skills Inc. looks forward to improving our employment practices while having a positive impact in our community.

This October, the Washington State Business Leadership Network (WSBLN) celebrates Disability Mentoring Month in Washington by connecting many students with disabilities to employers to do a career exploration in order to understand and experience a day in different jobs and companies.

Hosted by the WSBLN Career Explorations in partnership with Washington’s public and private employers for students with disabilities.

Get involved as a mentor and host a student. Your commitment would be to attend a two-hour informational session on August 26th at Bellevue College and to host a student(s) for 3-4 hours in your workplace in the month of October to allow them to explore your company and the careers available.

Forward the event flyer (PDF) to colleagues.

To register for this event, or for more information, contact Karen Walters at 206-427-7675 or karenwalters@wsbln.org

Nationwide, 54 million Americans with disabilities comprise the largest minority in the country.