Advocates for people with developmental disabilities converged on Olympia on March 25 to raise awareness and name Sen. Andy Hill as their Outstanding Legislator. The Community Employment Alliance presented the award to Hill at a rally in the Capitol rotunda, recognizing his groundbreaking work to help employ people with disabilities.
“It’s great to see many of the people who now have access to a job that they can take pride in and become more engaged in their community,” said Hill, who represents Kirkland from the 45th District and serves as chair of the Senate Ways and means Committee. “For years I’ve heard from many families who needed help, but were stuck on a waiting list for services. I’m glad we were able to think outside the box to help them.”
In 2014, Hill authored and passed the VIP Act which provided an additional 1,000 slots for supported employment and helped give 4,000 families access to additional care. Hill has been a key ally for people with developmental disabilities in his work on the VIP Act along with efforts to protect services for people with developmental disabilities in the budget. Hill also passed legislation this year and in 2014 supporting paraeducators, who provide much of the instruction for students with special needs.
The Community Employment Alliance has previously selected Hill as one of their Outstanding Legislators, but this year referred to him as their “Legislator of the Year” for his work on the VIP Act.
“Senator Hill listened to our concerns and made them a priority,” said Marcie Taylor, executive director for Community Employment Alliance. “We have a broad community of people who want and need these opportunities to work and get involved in their community. We’re very grateful for Sen. Hill’s help in creating more of these opportunities for employment.”
For his work on the VIP Act, Hill has previously received the Blizzard Award for Extraordinary Commitment from the Arc of King County Parent Coalition for Developmental Disabilities as well as the Big Time Daddy Award from the Washington State Fathers Network.
