Hello everyone, thanks so much for joining us for our first monthly newsletter! I’m the executive director of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. I’ve been at DDC in my current role since September 2022, and I served the DDC several years ago as a staff support person with People First of Washington, where I provided accommodations to council members. It’s been great to be back at the DDC, learning alongside so many of you and working to strengthen our community and the opportunities for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state. I hope this newsletter will help the community learn more about the DDC, get involved in what we are doing and help the DDC better serve our community going forward. We would love to hear what you want to see and learn about in these updates. You can always reach out to our staff members directly, attend a council meeting, or send a message to our general email box, info@ddc.wa.gov, with suggestions, ideas and questions. Please enjoy the rest of spring and we will be back with another message next month! |
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WADDC quarterly meeting: July 10-12 at SeaTac Radisson Hotel or via Zoom. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, go to our council meetings webpage.
 The 24 D.C. Public Policy Conference and summer advocacy tips
About our public policy work: The DDC’s Public Policy and Advocacy Program promotes equitable policies for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The DDC advocates for increased access, improved services, and protection of rights. It also works to close segregated care facilities, reduce restrictive settings, and ensure community-based supports. The program provides accurate information and applies an intersectional framework to address the needs of marginalized individuals.
Public policy in action:
A group of DDC members, staff and advocates from partner organizations went to Washington, D.C., to attend the Disability Policy Seminar. It was a fantastic learning experience about the issues and meeting and connecting with our federal elected officials. We learned about topics including Autism Cares, Community Living, Criminal Legal System, Disability Funding, Education, Social Security, and Voting.
What can you do? As we begin our summer season, it’s a great time to connect directly with your state legislators. You might want to invite them to your local coffee shop or have a get together at your home. There is more flexibility in the summer to build a relationship with your legislators. Is there an issue that is particularly important to you? Consider talking with an expert to get good information that you can share with your legislators. Your story is very powerful! If you need assistance in setting something up, please let me know by emailing me at Emily.Rogers@ddc.wa.gov.
My name is Sydney Krebsbach and I'm one of the two co-chairs for the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. I'm an individual with Autism and I live in Spokane. I enjoy being on the council. It has helped increase my advocacy skills to a whole new level. I've become a public speaker on a state and national level thanks to my work on the council. In April 2024, Brandi, a group of self-advocates, and I traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the Disability Policy Seminar, where we had a meeting with U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell to discuss the issues that people with disabilities are facing in the state of Washington. Also, at the seminar I had the opportunity to share about my experiences with employment, housing, opportunities from Alaska to Washington, and finding a doctor.
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Who we are: The Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) advocates for better services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Washington.
What we do: The DDC advocates for improved services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, guided by our core values including self-determination and inclusion. Collaborating with various agencies and organizations, we train leaders, promote better policies, and coordinate efforts towards enhancing the lives of those with developmental disabilities. Our Five-Year State Plan guides our work, ensuring we address critical community needs and uphold specific goals. Through public policy advocacy and active participation in state-wide activities, we strive to enact positive change and foster inclusivity for all.
Council membership: Council members are appointed by the governor to serve three-year terms. At least 60% of our members are required to be people with developmental disabilities and family members of people with developmental disabilities. Other members are representatives from state agencies and other organizations we work with. Council membership must reflect the diversity of communities across Washington. This includes geographic location, disability identity, and racial/ethnic identity. Each year there are openings on the council, and we are always accepting applications.
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