Hello and welcome to November!
The Council had a chance to connect with community members in Walla Walla last month at the Walla Walla County Transition Fair. We heard a lot about the need for new transportation options and the lack of service providers in their community. We also met some great advocates and had the chance to share the Council’s goals with several attendees.
We held our Quarterly Council Meeting in Walla Walla as well. While there, Council members approved our 2025 Legislative Priorities and voted to hold a statewide event focused on the intersection of behavioral health and developmental disabilities in 2025. The Council is also gearing up for legislative session to begin in a few short months. This includes preparations for the Notebook Meeting to be held on December 2nd and an in-person Advocacy Day in Olympia on January 15th.
See more about all of these efforts below, and as always, please reach out to us with questions or ideas. Thank you!
Brandi Monts, WADDC Executive Director
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Breaking Barriers: New Research on Improving Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Services
Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council and National Leadership Consortium Release Findings and Plan Statewide Event
Earlier this year, the WADDC posted a request for proposal (RFP) for a research paper focused on what is currently happening nationally and in Washington state around evidence-based practices for individuals who experience both behavioral health and developmental disabilities The project was awarded to the National Leadership Consortium (NLC). NLC is a consortium that provides training, support and research for leaders in the field of disabilities. The research was completed on September 30th, 2024. The research has four (4) parts:
- Information about what Washington state is doing to make services better and how more people can get services.
- People who receive developmental disability and mental or behavioral health services took part in a virtual focus group, interviews, or a survey. The participants shared what was good and what was bad with their services and gave recommendations about how to make their services better and increase accessibility.
- Researchers from the NLC gathered information about what other states were doing to make their services better and get services to more people. Researchers from the NLC also interviewed experts from different states to find out what was working to make services better.
- NLC created a report and two plain language documents about what people in Washington said and about what was learned from other states. The NLC also created a plan for a statewide event to continue this work to try and make developmental disability and mental health services better.
Stay tuned for more information as the Council has voted on a statewide event for summer 2025 around the intersection of Behavioral Health and IDD. The event will bring together subject matter experts, stakeholders and other resources to focus and plan around this topic.
2025 DDC Legislative Priorities
The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is committed to advancing policies that protect the rights and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Council’s 2025 legislative priorities focus on ensuring equitable access to home and community-based services, removing barriers to support systems, and upholding human and civil rights. Key areas such as workforce challenges, the elimination of restraint and isolation, and improving access for underserved communities are at the forefront of this effort. We invite you to explore the full 2025 Legislative Priorities linked below to learn more about how the DDC is advocating for a more inclusive future for people with disabilities in Washington state.
Championing Voices: DDC Member Julie Clark’s Journey in Advocacy and Public Policy
Julie Clark joined the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council in 2023, driven by a deep passion for advocacy and community support. She brings with her a commitment to stand up for individuals who often feel unheard and to ensure their needs and voices are represented in decisions that impact their lives. Known for her empathy and enthusiasm, Julie has quickly become a valued part of the Council community, where she builds connections and finds purpose in helping others.
Reflecting on her reasons for joining the Council, Julie shares, “I decided to join the council because I like helping people. My favorite part is getting to know Council members.” Julie feels especially fulfilled when voting on initiatives that bring positive change: “I feel the best when we as Council members vote on something that will help the community.” Her dedication continues to grow as she takes on a new role as Chair of the Public Policy Committee. “I hope that I can make a difference in the legislators,” she says, looking forward to making impactful contributions to public policy and advocacy.
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Council Member Sydney Krebsbach Helps Bring Disability Employment Month Proclamation to Spokane
The Washington State DD Council congratulates the Spokane community on passing a proclamation to make October Disability Employment Month! Mayor Lisa Brown read the proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month on behalf of the city, marking a proud step toward inclusivity and opportunity for all.
Special thanks to Sydney Krebsbach, one of our Council members, who worked tirelessly to bring this initiative to her community. Her dedication, along with the support of advocates like John Lemus, makes Spokane stronger and more inclusive for people with disabilities.
Featured in the photo are John Lemus, Mayor Lisa Brown, and Sydney Krebsbach.
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Dan Thompson Account October Updates
Catch up on the latest developments with the Dan Thompson Account! In this month’s updates, learn about the progress of Round 1 and Round 2 awards, get details on the upcoming Round 3 solicitation, and explore the awardee showcase featuring the Outdoors for All Foundation. For the full October update, check out the pdf document linked below:
To find out more about the Dan Thompson Account, please visit the Dan Thompson Account webpage.
Travel Training in Washington State
By Informing Families
Did you know counties in Washington state provide travel training through their transportation departments? Travel training programs help individuals with disabilities learn to use public transportation. These programs typically start with a meeting to assess the individual’s strengths and skills, which informs the training needed for safe, independent travel.
MOHAI Seattle Disability Activism History
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 7 – 9 p.m.
One in four Americans have a disability, yet the history of disability activism is often underrepresented. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation program is creating a first-of-its-kind historic context study about disability activism. Come and learn from community members as they reflect on their experiences in the continued fight for disability rights.
ASL Interpretation and CART captioning are available during the program. In addition, a limited number of Assistive Listening Devices are available upon request.
For more accessibility support, please contact programs@mohai.org two weeks before the program.
Location: MOHAI Faye G. Allen Grand Atrium
Cost: Sliding Scale: Free - $50
The Arc of Washington Legislative Events
The Arc Annual Notebook Meeting
Date: December 2, 2024
Time: 9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom
Join us online for this engaging meeting focused on our latest notebook initiatives.
In-Person Advocacy Day
Date: January 15, 2025
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: United Churches - 110 11th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Take part in Advocacy Day in Olympia to connect with advocates and lawmakers and raise your voice on critical issues.
Visit The Arc of Washington's Advocacy page for further event updates.
Agency spotlight: The Special Education Technology Center - Innovative Tools for Inclusive Education
The Special Education Technology Center (SETC) provides valuable support to students with disabilities, as well as their families and teachers, by offering tools and resources that make learning easier and more accessible. SETC has an assistive technology (AT) lending library where schools and families can borrow devices that help students succeed in and outside the classroom. They also offer expert training and consultations to guide families and educators in using these tools effectively, helping reduce obstacles to learning and increase student engagement. Through these services, SETC helps create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment for everyone.
Washington State DD Council - Who We Are & What We Do
Who We Are: The Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) advocates for better services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Washington state.
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 state. 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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