What We Do
Connecting people with disabilities with a workplace that offers supportive employment. WISE promotes and brings diversity to the workplace.
School to Work and Transition
Across the Pacific Northwest, school districts, the State Departments of Vocational Rehabilitation and Developmental Disabilities, and local counties collaborate to assist students in finding competitive integrated employment as they transition from High School to the workforce. This section provides information and materials that will help parents, students and teachers in making this transition as smoothly as possible.
WA State Training and Technical Assistance
Technical assistance and training is funded by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Administration, counties and other partners, with a focus on competitive integrated employment outcomes for high school transition students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as other disabilities.
Oregon Employment First Initiative
Wise partners with the Office of Developmental Disability Services at the State of Oregon by delivering training, communities of practice, technical assistance and resources to increase competitive integrated employment opportunities.
Partners For Work
Rotarians can open doors! Partners for Work (PFW) has been a Rotary District 5030 project since 2008, and as of November 2016, it has developed 81 paid jobs for individuals in King County.
Person-Centered Planning
Wise’s Person Centered Planning is a service in which an experienced Plan Facilitator collaborates with an individual and their chosen team to map out a pathway to a desired future and job.
Family Training Series
Check out the 2017-2018 school year agenda for the Informing Families and Educators Training Series in Clark County.
Oregon Transformation Project
The Oregon Transformation Project provides training and technical assistance to employment agencies to shift their services from a facility- based to a community-based approach, with a focus on competitive integrated employment.
Employment Professional Certificate Program
We are in our ninth year of partnership with Highline College providing a program, originally envisioned by a group of individuals and county representatives, to establish a certification path for employment professionals.
North Dakota VR Pilot Project
In partnership with Minot State University, the state of North Dakota VR agency and four employment agencies, the Expanded Supported Employment project is designed to lead to integrated and competitive employment opportunities for individuals currently receiving day support services or those employed in segregated employment settings.
Work Study
WISE partners with universities throughout Washington State to hire Workstudy students who then provide employment-related services to people with disabilities in High School Transition programs (School-to-Work) and/or in the community.
Hire Ability Spokane
HireAbility Spokane provides Spokane County businesses with education, support and employment solutions by connecting them with skilled individuals who have developmental disabilities and are seeking careers.