Join us for the 26th Annual Transition Resource Fair on March 10, 2026 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. This free community event is open to individuals with developmental disabilities (ages 12 and older), along with their families, caregivers, teachers, and community members. 

The fair will feature a variety of community agencies and offer a range of free workshops focused on services, community resources, and tools to support employment and career goals. It’s a great opportunity to connect with others and discover valuable resources to help navigate the transition to a fulfilling future. 

Mark your calendars – we look forward to seeing you there! 

When: March 10, 2026

Time: 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Where:  Lynnwood Convention Center

              3711 196th St SW

              Lynnwood, WA 98036

*Please note the location has changed for this year!

To learn more, please visit the Transition Resource Fair web page.

An Order of Selection (OOO) is how the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation prioritizes services for people who need them most. It is required by federal law when the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation does not have sufficient resources to serve all eligible customers. 

When customers are determined eligible, they are assigned to a priority of service category based on the significance of their disability. Assigning a priority of service category is based on the impact of the disability, not the type of disability. 

During an Order of Selection, priority of service categories are either open or closed. 

Eligible customers assigned to a closed category will be placed on a statewide waitlist for services. If the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has additional resources to serve more customers, those who are waiting on the statewide waitlist may be released. A customer who has been released from the waitlist can receive the full range of vocational rehabilitation services. 

If you are a customer with an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), you will continue to receive vocational rehabilitation services and you will not be assigned to a waitlist regardless of your priority of service category. Said differently, if you are a customer with an Individualized Plan for Employment, you will NOT be impacted by Order of Selection. 

Remembering and Celebrating the Lives of Disability Leaders, Kyle Matheson, Mike Raymond, and Alice Wong  

Kyle Gene Matheson, 65, passed away peacefully at home on September 6, 2025. As a founding member of People’s First of Washington, and an active member of the ARC of King County, Kyle attended rallies, spoke at hearings, and regularly visited with his senators and representatives to promote causes for the disabled. He supported others with passion and vigor from volunteering for committee/chapter work, to helping people navigate through the disability systems and community. Read more about Kyle here. 

Mike Raymond, a Washington State self-advocacy leader, was born in 1947 and passed away on September 17.  Mike advocated over the last 50 years to shut down the Developmental Disability Institutions, also called Residential Habilitation Centers. During his career after leaving Rainier, he was dedicated to helping others with intellectual and developmental disabilities acquire skills to achieve as much independence as he and his wife had. Mike worked for Self-Advocates of Washington as a community trainer; among various other jobs he did. He helped to start other key Washington State organizations like People First of Washington, Self Advocates in Leadership, Allies in Advocacy, Pave, and Northwest Services for Independent Living.  Mike also served on numerous boards, including the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, Disability Rights of Washington, and the Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID). Read more about Mike here.  

Alice Wong, an author and activist who fought for disability rights and justice, passed on November 14. Wong was 51 years old. 

The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner died Friday of an infection at the University of California, San Francisco hospital, according to an email sent to NPR by friend and fellow activist Sandy Ho. Wong's family said in a social media post Saturday that she will be remembered as "being a fierce luminary in disability justice, a brilliant writer, editor and community organizer." Wong was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project (DVP). The group highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels. Learn more about Alice here.

Lifespan Respite Washington (LRW) and Lifespan Respite Coalition supports Unpaid and Underserved Family Caregivers of All Ages Across Washington State  

Lifespan Respite Washington (LRW) began in 2002 as a statewide coalition known as the Respite & Crisis Care Coalition of Washington (RCCCWA).  In 2010, RCCCWA received its first federal Lifespan Respite Grant to expand the program and to pursue sustainability.  The RCCCWA coalition was renamed in 2012 to Lifespan Respite Washington (LRW).  In September 2017, LRW was awarded its fifth grant funding for three years through the U.S. Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living. Lifespan Respite Coalition members include family caregivers, public and private agency staff, and advocates across the state.  It aims to support individuals from a cross-section of ages, cultural or ethnic background, or need/disability of the individual needing care. The next coalition meeting will take place 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Learn more here.  

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed each year on December 3, 2025, to recognize the achievements, rights, and dignity of individuals with disabilities worldwide – politically, socially, economically, and culturally. This year's theme, "Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future," highlights the vital role that people with disabilities play as leaders in building a more inclusive and sustainable society. President Biden has issued a proclamation in recognition of this day, reaffirming the commitment to equal rights and opportunities for all. This annual observance serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to ensure full participation, inclusion, and accessibility for all individuals. Let’s work together to raise awareness, celebrate the contributions of persons with disabilities, and continue striving for a more equitable and inclusive future for everyone. 

Read more about International Day of Persons with Disabilities from the United Nations here.

Planning Ahead to Support Yourself and Your Loved One Through December  

December marks the end of the year which often culminates a variety of activities, travel, and gatherings. Depending on how your family celebrates the end of the year, there are some good resources available to help prepare and guide through fun (and sometimes chaos) of the season. Planning ahead means you can ensure that your sensory needs are met, as well as those of your loved one with a disability. 

Read PAVE’s article on "Giving the Gift of Sensory-Regulation: Supporting a Happy Holiday Season for All" here. 

December 21 to 22: Winter solstice   

December 15 to 22: Hanukkah (aka Chanukah)  

December 25: Christmas Day  

December 26 to January 1: Kwanzaa  

December 31: New Year’s Eve  

Legislative and Advocacy News   

The Washington State Legislature will convene for the 2026 regular session on January 12, 2026, and is expected to last 60 days, ending in mid-March. Here are ways you can learn more about how this session could impact those with developmental disabilities and services.  

Check out the Arc of Washington’s Legislative Notebook. It includes public policy ideas that community members are working on and information to help you understand how health, education and social services affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  

Attend Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council Meetings.  The Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) advocates for better services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Learn more here.

Attend Snohomish County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board Meetings. This board provides recommendations to the County Developmental Disabilities team on how County funds are used and help shape programs that support individuals and families. The board is made up of 15 members, who serve three-year terms and may not serve more than three consecutive terms. Board members are appointed by the County Council on recommendation of the executive. Learn more here.  

The Arc of Snohomish County runs the Parent Family Coalition. This is a membership-driven organization made up of families, siblings, foster parents, grandparents, kinships, individuals, guardians and other interested community members. The Coalition provides information and education about legislative policies, disseminates information and teaches families about the social service system, resources in their community, and how their participation in their local community builds integration and inclusion of all people with developmental disabilities. To get involved in the Parent Family Coalition, or to find out more about leadership training, reach out to Rachel Kube, Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator at 425-258-2459 x107 or Rachel@arcsno.org.   

• 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.  
• Watch the videos and explore more information

Empowering your Transition to Life After High School 

The Washington State Rehabilitation Council has collaborated with the agencies named within this resource to support the development and publication of the Washington Transition Partnership Map. This resource provides a high-level summary to help individuals and families learn about and connect to transition services for which they may be eligible as students plan for their transition from high school. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for disability support resources and agencies to establish meaningful connections with transition services, thereby supporting individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment. It is not intended to include all transition resources, many of which are available through local counties.  

Click here to download the Washington State Transition Map available in multiple languages. 

School-Based Behavioral Health Services 

The Northwest Educational Service District (NWESD) is a licensed Behavioral Health Agency that provides school-based outpatient mental health treatment services in partnership with participating school districts. Services are accessible at specific locations and to the students directly served by that school. Student–clients receive a mental health assessment and individualized treatment to meet their mental health goals. Treatment is provided for most diagnoses including anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD and other common youth mental health conditions. Their therapists are trained in and utilize evidence-based treatment modalities appropriate for the student-clients. These services comply with applicable health care law. Students under 13 must have consent and participation in treatment by their parent/guardians. Students 13 and over may access services independently, however, coordination and participation with parents/guardians is always strongly encouraged. For more information contact Natalie Gustafson, ngustafson@nwesd.org or go here.   

Mental Health Professionals are located in Arlington, Granite Falls (Telehealth), Lakewood, Marysville (Telehealth), Snohomish, Stanwood-Camano, Sultan. Contact your school district for more questions and/or if you don’t see your district listed.