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Support for Washington families and self-advocates
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 New Bulletin: Leaving Home in an Emergency
Emergencies can sometimes mean leaving home quickly. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, knowing what to expect and planning ahead can make the experience more manageable.
Our new Informing Families bulletin, “Leaving Home in an Emergency: What to Expect and How to Prepare,” shares tips for getting ready before an emergency, deciding what to bring, communicating support needs and understanding what may happen during an evacuation or temporary stay away from home.
The bulletin includes two downloadable guides: a more detailed version and a visual version with shorter text and pictures. Both include a My Emergency Information sheet to help keep important information about communication, medications, equipment, support needs and emergency contacts in one place.
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Free and low-cost resources |
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Finding the right respite provider is an important part of making respite work for your family. This resource from the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center offers questions and considerations to help caregivers evaluate providers, communicate their needs and choose care that is a good fit for their family.
The Autism Society of America and Nickelodeon created a free downloadable resource pack to support students and educators during the school year. The pack includes customizable power cards, token boards and visual schedules featuring Nickelodeon characters, with options designed for different ages and routines.
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Autistic Parents Virtual Connection Group
Beginning in October 2026
The Autism Society of Washington is starting a virtual connection group for Autistic parents and caregivers across Washington state. The group will offer a supportive space to connect, share parenting experiences and strategies, and learn from one another. Autistic parents and caregivers who are diagnosed, self-diagnosed or exploring their own neurodivergence are welcome. Email info@autismsocietyofwa.org to join the email list and receive updates about the first meeting.
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Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Join The Arc of King County for a virtual session on financial planning for families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mary McDirmid will share information and considerations to help families plan for the future while taking the needs of the whole family into account.
Guests with mobility needs or intellectual or developmental disabilities who require additional care from an attendant or caregiver can receive complimentary admission for their caregiver when they purchase a ticket to the Washington State Fair. Let the ticket taker know when entering the Fair that caregiver admission is needed. The Fair also offers accessible parking and restrooms, mobility device rentals, wheelchair-accessible seating, sign language interpretation for select events and other services to help make the Fair more accessible.
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September is Deaf Awareness Month, a time to recognize Deaf culture, sign languages, and the leadership and contributions of Deaf people. International Week of Deaf People will be observed Sept. 21-27, 2026, with the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, their families and communities, access to language, information, education and community support matters. Learn more about International Week of Deaf People and the importance of communication access, inclusion and Deaf people leading decisions that affect their lives.
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 Washington State DD Council
P.O. Box 48314
Olympia, WA 98504-8314
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Informing Families is a project of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council |
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