Leveling the playing field for people with disabilities

A living wage and a safe home are parts of American life often taken for granted. For people with disabilities, however, it can be a very different story. Washington’s Pathways program is changing that story.

WA Pathways to Employment (P2E) is a web-based toolkit for people with disabilities, ages 16–64. Washington State launched it in 2011 with federal funding. To-date, P2E has served over 1 million Washingtonians.

The P2E website contains interactive tools to help people make work-related decisions, remove barriers, alleviate fear, and provide motivation.

Interactive decision-making tools help people:

• Investigate work options in light of personal circumstances.
• Understand how to keep medical benefits while working.
• Learn skills (budgeting, resume-writing, continuing education, finding jobs near home, etc.)
• Find resources for veterans, youth in transition, and ex-offenders, etc.

Based on the success of P2E, in 2018, the state rolled out WA Pathways to Housing (P2H). It’s too early to report results, but response has been encouraging.

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Pathways is funded by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority.

Note: Peer counselors and others, please share these online brochures with your clients, and anyone who might benefit: P2E, P2H.