OLYMPIA -- Have you ever felt uncomfortable around someone who has a disability? Have you ever wanted to increase the diversity of your staff but did not know "the right way" to go about it.

You are not alone! 

Former King County Executive Randy Revelle, currently Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs for the Washington State Hospital Association, on Friday, March 7 will launch a series of "Diversity Dialogues" intended to engage Department of Social and Health Services employees, hiring authorities, supervisors and managers in a conversation about the value and importance of a diverse workforce.

The event begins at noon, Friday, March 7, in the basement auditorium of Office Building 2 (DSHS headquarters), 1115 Washington St., in Olympia.

The title of Revelle's talk is "Disability as Diversity, Instead of Charity in the Workplace."

Nearly 18 years since passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act employers in and out of government still lack knowledge and information about hiring people with disabilities to be productive and successful members of the workforce. Revelle will guide his audience to a better understanding of how people with psychiatric disabilities can be fully included as successful members in the workforce.

Revelle currently serves as chairman of the Washington Coalition for Insurance Parity and supervises the Community Benefits Project sponsored by Washington's urban hospitals and health systems. He also represents WSHA on the King County Health Action Plan Steering Committee.

Opening remarks will be by Robin Arnold-Williams, DSHS Secretary. The event is free and open to the public.