‘Say Hey Olympia’ offers work aid for people with disabilities

By Rolf Boone | The Olympian • Published April 09, 2008

Job seekers nationwide with physical or mental disabilities face an unemployment rate of 70 percent, according to the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and some South Sound organizations met Tuesday in an effort to improve that number locally.

Participants in "Say Hey Olympia," a quarterly networking event, met Tuesday for the third time since the group was created in October. The event celebrates recent hires, welcomes people with disabilities to the community and matches disabled residents with prospective employers.

About 50 people participated, meeting for two hours at the Phoenix Inn in downtown Olympia.

The 70 percent figure compares with a national unemployment rate of 4.8 percent, said Lynnae Ruttledge, director of the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

"Say Hey Olympia" was launched by DVR as well as Payne & Associates and Morningside, two South Sound organizations that also work with people with disabilties.

"It's a nice way to bring the community together and give people a chance to network," Ruttledge said.

When attendees weren't networking, they introduced themselves one by one to the group, talking about employment needs and services or highlighting recent job accomplishments.

Iyataco McKee, 35, of Mountlake Terrace, who uses a wheelchair because of a spinal birth defect, announced that she had recently been hired by the Seattle Housing Authority.

McKee, who dropped out of high school and later earned a master's degree, praised the networking event because it's a reminder to the disabled that they can find high-profile jobs.

"It's so important to hear it and give back," McKee said about celebrating employment milestones.

Soaring Eagle Deli & Catering owner Annie Bouffiou, who is hearing-impaired, came seeking potential employees.

She said she has one employee now and is looking to add two more.

"Business is growing and expanding and I'm excited for the coming year," she said about her west Olympia business at 1800 Cooper Point Road S.W.

Anita Kay of Olympia said she had no idea what sorts of difficulties disabled people faced when looking for work until a car crash in Seattle left her with a traumatic brain injury and a broken back at age 49.

After recovering in the hospital, it took Kay nearly four years to find a job. During her job search, she encountered discrimination, depression and low-ball salary offers, she said.

The former health care policy analyst now works for a South Sound research organization.

"To play a meaningful role again, that means everything to me," she said. "To take (my career) away was like taking my life away, and I got it back."

Rolf Boone covers business for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.