July is Disability Pride Month!   

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. It marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark legislation that seeks to break barriers to inclusion in society. According to the Arc of The United States, “People with disabilities deserve to live full, self-determined lives, just like everyone else. Yet discrimination persists for the 1 in 4 U.S. adults living with a disability.”    

Click here to learn more about the ADA 35th Anniversary and explore additional resources.

The first celebration was a Disability Pride Day that took place in Boston in 1990. Chicago hosted the first Disability Pride Parade in 2004. Now there are events nationwide empowering people with disabilities to take pride in who they are. This year’s theme, “We Want a Life Like Yours” comes from The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates.   

Click here to learn more about the history of Disability Pride Month and the story of the flag. 

Ways you can learn more and celebrate:  

• Click here to learn more about Disability Pride Month and event hosted by Sno-Isle Libraries
• Click here to read Staff Picks for Disability Pride by Sno-Isle Libraries. 
• Click here to visit The Disability Rights Movement.
• Click here to learn more about Disability and Blackness from the 504 Protests and the Black Panther Party.
• Click here to learn more about the Power and Presence of Indigenous Disabled Stories.
• Click here to learn more about the One Out of Five: Disability History and Pride Project housed with the Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds, and in partnership with Rooted in Rights and two local educators, Adina Rosenburg and Sarah Arvey. This was designed as a guide for public schools in Washington to address Disability History Month, celebrated in October every year.  

Don’t forget to mark your calendars to watch the broadcast premiere of The Ride Ahead this Disability Pride Month on July 21! Check local PBS listing. Then the film will be available to stream for FREE on the PBS app and the POV.org website through September. Click here to learn more.  

The Snohomish County Human Services, Developmental Disabilities team is hosting a special Disability Pride display on the first-floor lobby of West Administration Building located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA. 98201. Feel free to visit the display and learn all about Disability Pride resources during the month of July, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. See below for this year’s display. 

Building Acceptance Through Stories: Explore the Ed Wiley Autism Library

Make an appointment to visit The Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Lending Library, located in the lobby of the Stanwood Tattoo Company. The mission of the Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Library is to promote understanding, acceptance and inclusion for Autistic people. Our organization is dedicated to the ideas of neurodiversity, Autistic/Disabled Pride and disability justice. The lending materials reflect the wide and diverse scope of autism and intersectional identities. They are working toward building an inclusive community and providing relevant resources and information for Autistic people, our families, friends and allies. Click here to learn more and make an appointment.   

In Memory and Power of Patricia (Patty) Berne, Statement from Sins Invalid 

Sins Invalid is a disability justice-based movement and performance project that celebrates disabled people, centering and led by disabled Black, Indigenous, and people of the global majority, and queer, trans, and nonbinary disabled people. Patricia (Patty) Berne lived from January 21, 1967, to May 29, 2025. “Patty – Disability Justice leader, comrade, kin, auntie, artist, mentor, visionary – touched and transformed countless lives. She was, is, and will always be a force of nature, a tsunami of love. Patty was co-founder and longtime Executive and Artistic Director of Sins Invalid and a primary architect of the Disability Justice movement, its 10 Principles, and core practices that center the lives, wisdom, and leadership of disabled queer and trans Black and brown people.”  Read and learn more by clicking here. 

Currently Accepting Job Foundation and School to Work Applications

Attention 2027 Grads – Job Foundation (JF) is a program designed to help students and their team seamlessly move into their final year in Transition. A job coach will observe the student through a discovery process and compile the information in a report that is shared with the student’s team. The report includes recommendations including actionable next steps needed for success. JF is available to students in their second year of Transition (ages 19 to 20 years old) and who are eligible with Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) (formally Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)). Students who participate in JF can move into School to Work (S2W) in their final year of Transition. 

Attention 2026 Grads – Applications for S2W are now open. This is an opportunity for your student to access the vital resources they will need once they graduate. The S2W team will help explore opportunities for employment and the goal is to be employed before the student graduates, creating a smooth transition from “School to Work”.

For students who want to work and are interested in applying to the S2W program, qualifiers are:

• Enrolled in DDA (Now DDCS)
• Have SSI
• Selected 1st and 2st choice for Employment Providers
• Currently 20-21 years of age

This team provides a network of people who are invested in the student's success and who will provide ongoing support during school and after graduation as long as needed. Please note, if you have participated in JF, you do not need to fill out a separate application for S2W. If you completed a JF application but were unable to participate due to not meeting the eligibility criteria with DDCS (formally DDA) but have since become eligible before your third year of Transition, you do not need to fill out another application.

• Click the following links to apply to JF or S2W: English Version / Spanish Version
• Click here to learn more about JF
• Click here to learn more about S2W
• Click here to learn more about how to choose an Employment Provider
• If you have any questions, please email S2W@snoco.org

The Vietnamese Family Autism Advisory Board (VFAAB) is a coalition of families, dedicated community members, and healthcare and support service providers. Formed in 2017 and based in Seattle, VFAAB was created to support Vietnamese families raising children with developmental delays.

Did you know Vietnamese is one of the top five languages spoken in Snohomish County?

VFAAB hosts monthly virtual meetings on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for July 16, 2025.

These meetings are a space for Vietnamese families with children who have autism or developmental delays to connect, build community, share experiences, and learn about autism and available services.

This month, VFAAB welcomes guest speaker Kristin Nygaard from AIM Seattle, who will share valuable resources. Vietnamese interpretation will be provided.

AIM Seattle is a grassroots organization working to remove systemic barriers for people with disabilities – especially children, teens, and young adults.

Click here to learn more about AIM Seattle. 

• VFAAB July Family Support meeting
  • Date: July 16th, 2025
  • Time: 4:00-5:30 pm
  • Location: Hope Central Pediatrics and Behavioral Health, 3505 S Juneau St, Seattle, 98118 
  • Presentation Title: AIM Program
  • Guest speaker: Kristin Nygaard  
• To join via Zoom:
  • Step 1: Click the link below to join. If it doesn’t work, copy and paste it into a new tab. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86803410624
  • Step 2: Enter the Meeting ID if prompted: Meeting ID: 868 0341 0624
• To join by phone:
  • Step 1: Dial (253) 205-0468
  • Step 2: Enter Meeting ID 868 0341 0624 #
  • Step 3: Press # again to join

Kính Chào Phụ Huynh, 

Mục đích của thư này là nhầm thông báo cho Anh Chị biết Trung Tâm VFAAB có các cuộc hội thảo trực tuyến (zoom hoặc phone) hàng tháng vào ngày thứ Tư tuần thứ 3 từ 4:00-5:30 chiều.  Cuộc họp cho tháng này sẽ diễn ra vào ngày Thứ Tư 16 Tháng 7 Năm 2025. Những cuộc họp này dành cho các gia đình Việt Nam có trẻ em có bệnh Phổ Tự Kỷ hay Chậm Phát Triển để xây dựng cộng đồng, tìm hiểu về Tự kỷ và các dịch vụ sẵn có, và chia sẻ kinh nghiệm học tập của con trẻ. Trung Tâm VFAAB có mời một diễn giả (khách mời), Kristin Nygaard, đến nói chuyện và có phiên dịch tiếng Việt được cung cấp.   Aim Seattle là một tổ chức từ cơ sở nhằm giải quyết những rào cản hệ thống mà người khuyết tật, đặc biệt là trẻ em, thanh thiếu niên và người trẻ tuổi, đang gặp phải. 

• Cuộc họp Hỗ trợ Gia đình VFAAB  Ngày:
  • Thứ Tư 16 Tháng 7 Năm 2025 
  • Thời gian: 4:00-5:30 chiều
  • Địa điểm: Hope Central Pediatrics and Behavioral Health, 3505 S Juneau St, Seattle, 98118 
  • Chủ đề: Chương Trình AIM
  • Diễn giả khách mời: Kristin Nygaard 

• Tham gia qua liên kết:
  • Bước 1: Nhấp vào liên kết dưới đây để tham gia. Nếu không được, hãy sao chép và dán liên kết vào một tab khác. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86803410624
  • Bước 2: Nhập Mã Cuộc Họp nếu được yêu cầu: Mã Cuộc Họp: 868 0341 0624 

• Tham Gia Qua Điện Thoại:
  • Bước 1: Gọi (253) 205 - 0468
  • Bước 2: Nhập Mã Cuộc Họp 868 0341 0624 #
  • Bước 3: Nhấn # một lần nữa để tham gia. 

Click here for more information about VFAAB, contact Ben Nguyen Program Manager of VFAAB (Vietnamese Family Autism Advisory Board). 

Opportunity for WA students with disabilities to learn self-advocacy skills 

The League of Education Voters (LEV) has an opportunity for students with disabilities to learn self-advocacy skills.  

LEV’s Student Potential Youth Advisory Council (SPYAC) is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year.  

SPYAC is a paid advocacy and leadership training program, run through the Investing in Student Potential coalition, where students will:  

• Build leadership & self-advocacy skills 
• Learn how the legislative process works  
• Learn from peers and system leaders
• Help shape education policy 
• Get paid $550 for the year  

LEV is looking for middle school, high school, transition-age, and early-20s youth with disabilities who are passionate (or just curious!) about advocacy, leadership, and making a difference in education policy.  

Click here to apply and learn more about the Investing in Student Potential coalition.

Extreme Heat and Weather Information  

According to the Administration for Community Living, “Extreme heat has emerged as an increasingly prevalent and severe natural hazard, presenting significant risks to public health, safety, critical infrastructure, and agriculture. People with disabilities and older adults are disproportionately affected by extreme heat, and their exposure leads to a higher likelihood of experiencing severe health risks or death.” Preparing ahead of time can help to when the heat, and stress rises during the summer months.   

• Stay hydrated and know the signs of heat-related illness.  
• Take heat seriously. In extreme heat, a fan should NOT be relied on as the only method of cooling.  
• Have an emergency kit, including extra medications if needed.  
• Be careful about the amount of time spent outdoors  
• Draw your curtains. 40% of heat can come through windows. 
• If the power goes out, make sure to stay in contact with family and friends. Arrange to have family, friends, or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.  
• If you need help paying your cooling bills, you may be eligible for LIHEAP assistance. Click here for more information or call 866.674.6327   

Click here to sign up for SnoCoAlerts and learn more about Extreme Heat Events and Cooling Centers. 

Click here to take the Global Heat Health Indoor Heat – Myths and Facts Quiz. 

Bridge Forward 2025: Virtual Event July 24–25 with Summit to follow on July 31 or August 1

Free Summit for Students with Disabilities Cultivates their Superpower  

Join the Youth Empowerment Summit, a FREE, virtual event hosted by the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE)!  This isn’t just another Zoom meeting; it’s an interactive space where you can build leadership skills, gain resources for life after high school, and connect with peers and mentors who understand your unique journey.  

• When: Friday, August 1, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm via Zoom
• Registration is FREE!
• For high school students with disabilities  

What to expect: 

• Watch engaging videos on disability awareness
• Share your story and talk about ableism 
• Explore disability pride with teacher Rebecca Much more
• Learn about the history of the disability rights movement 
• Discover how to advocate and speak up for yourself  

Click here to learn more.

Click here to register

Questions? Contact Elaine Stefanowicz at elaine.stefanowicz@esd.wa.gov 

• Did you Know? Social Security provides information for those who are helping young adults, and their families navigate the Social Security Application process? Whether you help a family member or friend or help someone through a group or organization, there is a Third-Party Disability Application Video Series for you. These videos offer detailed guidance for people who help claimants file a disability application, whether online or with paper forms. Specifically, the series focuses on the required forms and steps needed to file a complete third-party disability application.  
• The four-part video series includes:  
  • Video 1: “Helping Others Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits”  
  • Video 2: “The Application Package” - The application package for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.   
  • Video 3: “Additional Information & Forms” - Additional information and forms for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.   
  • Video 4: “Tips & Best Practices” - Tips and best practices for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.  
• Click here view videos and to learn more.