Hello everyone,
As you may know, the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council is turning fifty years old this month! To celebrate the past 50 years and prepare for our future, we launched the History and Visioning project in late 2025. One main part of this project is to help paint the story of the developmental disability (DD) movement over the last fifty years. From individual interviews and perspectives of some of our leaders, to themes and issues like education and respectful language, the Council has been focused on helping our developmentally disabled community through advocacy, capacity building and systems change work over these last five decades.
You’ll see on our History and Visioning project website that all of these efforts have been in collaboration with various community partners. At the center of this work, people with lived experience and their family members have most often led the way. Alongside them, those who provide services in the community, as well as those who run our county and state government systems, have historically played vital roles in shaping these systems. Advocacy organizations have also elevated the voices and improved the policies our DD program depends on for several decades.
Along with celebrating the past fifty years, the History and Visioning project will also help us focus on where we are headed in the future. This work lines up well with several efforts that are happening around the same time.
We are holding our History and Visioning event on April 15 in the Olympia area. Space to attend the event is still available and we’d love to have you join us, so please check out the registration link below. We will also be at the Community Summit to share what we heard during the April 15 event. In addition, we are preparing to finalize our Five-Year State Plan, so we will be asking for input on our goals in the coming months.
Finally, you may have heard that the legislature appropriated Dan Thompson funding to help the DD community develop a plan for the next 10 years. This project will be another resource for that effort as well.
Our community’s action and advocacy are the reason we have gotten this far, and we need you to push further so that folks with developmental disabilities can live full lives into the future.
Happy April Autism Acceptance Month and please join us!
Brandi Monts, WADDC Executive Director
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We all want to feel respected. Language makes a difference. Historically, there have been many terms that people have used to describe people with disabilities. Many of those terms are dehumanizing, disrespectful and discriminatory. This has been a longstanding issue for people with disabilities.
The first bill that Self-Advocates in Leadership (SAIL) worked on, in 2004, had to do with respectful language. This work has continued over time as Washington State updated its laws to remove outdated and harmful language, reflecting ongoing progress. Our community continues to push forward. At the same time, it has become clear that we should always have resources available to educate those who don’t understand the importance of respectful language.
Read our History and Visioning article on respectful language to learn more about this important topic, the bills that were passed in our state and to find resources about communicating with and about people with disabilities.
Emily Rogers, WADDC Public Policy Director
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Katie Mirkovich represents the Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) on the Developmental Disabilities Council and brings over 20 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation. As a person with a disability, she is dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities find and succeed in meaningful employment. Through her role, Katie works closely with Council members, state agencies and community partners to strengthen employment supports across Washington. She has contributed to the Council’s State Plan, shared her expertise through presentations and helps connect individuals and families to DVR and other employment resources. |
April 2026 Quarterly Council Meeting
Dates:
April 16th, 2026, 9 a.m – 4 p.m.
April 17th, 2026, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location:
Hybrid – Olympia, WA (Hampton Inn and Suites, Olympia, WA) and Zoom
WADDC Community History and Visioning Event
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When: April 15, 2026, from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Where: South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus Event Center
Who: Council members, partners, and members of the disability community on a first come first served basis
Registration: Required
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The History and Visioning Project honors the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council’s 50-year journey by uplifting the stories, leadership and partnerships that have shaped disability advocacy across Washington State. This work is not only about looking back. It is about using what we have learned from the past to help guide the Council’s future direction.
As part of this project, the Council will host an afternoon event featuring a large-scale commemorative mural created through graphic facilitation by Tim Corey of Colibri Facilitation. The event will include visual storytelling and reflections from community members, past and present. Participants will gather to recognize key moments in the Council’s history, learn about major milestones and share ideas about the future of the developmental disabilities movement in Washington. Light refreshments will be provided.
Space is limited and registration is required to attend. Please use the link below to register. If you have questions, need help registering or need assistance with accessibility or accommodations, please contact the Council at info@ddc.wa.gov or 360-586-3540
Transition Collaborative Listening Sessions
The Transition Collaborative is hosting two virtual listening sessions to gather input on how to improve transition services for students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) as they move from school to adult life. This effort follows recently passed legislation directing several state agencies to update Washington’s transition plan, with a report due to the Legislature in October 2026.
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Community Session: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. (Students, family members and advocates)
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Educator Session: Wednesday, April 23, 2026, from 3:30 – 5 p.m. (Educators, school staff and administrators)
Both sessions will be held online via Zoom, and each has a separate registration link. Accommodation and translation requests must be submitted by March 22. Confirmation emails with participation details will be sent closer to the event. For help registering or questions, call 1-800-634-4473 or email info@ddc.wa.gov.
Save the date for the 2026 Virtual Community Summit on June 3, 2026
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The 2026 Community Summit is an annual one-day virtual conference bringing together self-advocates, families, friends, partners, and allies to collaborate in building more inclusive communities.
This year’s conference will be on June 3, 2026, please save the date!
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Regional DDCS Community Engagement Forums
Regional Community Engagement Forums give individuals, families and providers a chance to connect directly with local Developmental Disabilities Community Services staff, share concerns and help find solutions. These public meetings are held quarterly, typically online with some hybrid options. They focus on hearing from the community and responding to local needs.
View the flyers for specific dates and meeting links.
Agency Spotlight: Home Care Association of Washington
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The Home Care Association of Washington is a statewide nonprofit that supports and represents home health, home care and hospice providers across Washington. Through education, advocacy, and community connection, HCAW works to strengthen in-home services and ensure people can access quality care where they live. The organization offers training, resources and networking opportunities for providers, while also advocating at the state and national level to shape policies that support home-based care. HCAW also provides helpful consumer resources to guide individuals and families in understanding care options and finding the right services. |
Washington State DD Council - Who We Are and 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.
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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