News & Updates

Open Doors for Multi-Cultural Families Self-Advocate Leadership Training (SALT)

Self-Advocacy Leadership Training by Open Doors for Multicultural Families

DDC Public Policy Director Update!

Public Policy Director Update

Spring Update Dan Thompson Memorial Trust

DSHS’ Developmental Disabilities Administration is excited to provide an update regarding projects funded by the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account. DDA has received over 100 recommended project proposals from the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. Of these, more than 50% are now fully executed contracts with the remainder being finalized in the coming months. Since our last update, we have fully executed an additional 18 contracts to a value of $11,386,181 bringing the total number of contracts in effect to 51 and awarded amount thus far to more than $18.5 million. Please click on Full Post for link and more information.

Winter Update Dan Thompson Memorial Trust

On 11/1/22, the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) sent 24 proposals to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) requesting funding from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account.

Seeking new council members to fill open positions

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is looking for new members to fill open positions. Learn more about who qualifies and how to apply.

Seeking Administrative Support for SAIL

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council is inviting non-profits, with a preference for or organizations run by and for people with developmental disabilities, to provide administrative support and technical assistance to Self-Advocates In Leadership (SAIL).

New Dan Thompson Memorial Community Services Account Funding Recommendations

On July 19, 2022, the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council forwarded new recommended applications to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) for funding through the Dan Thompson Memorial Community Services Account.

Public Comment for State Plan Changes

The DD Council is seeking public input on changes to our 2022-2026 State Plan. Please review the document below and submit responses on or before July 7, 2022 to brian.dahl@ddc.wa.gov

Seeking New Council Members

The DDC is looking for new Governor-appointed members to serve on the Council.

2022 Public Policy Legislative Priorities

2022 legislative priorities were approved by the DDC council in October 2021 and will guide our efforts during the upcoming legislative session.

Funding application for the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account

We are very excited to announce the release of the funding application for the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account! Here are some important details about the application.

Collaborating for a Dementia-Friendly Washington

A two-day virtual conference promoting the growth of dementia-friendly communities in our state.

DDC Community Grant Summaries

In response to the hardship that COVID-19 has placed on people’s ability to stay connected and engaged, the Washington State DD Council invested $25,000 to help increase the ability of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis

Collaborating for a Dementia-Friendly Washington

A two-day virtual conference promoting the growth of dementia-friendly communities in our state.

ADA 30th Anniversary Celebration

Join us in celebrating 30 years of progress for all!

DDC COVID Community Grant Recipients

Virtual Advocacy Day: DD Budget

Please join us for a virtual Advocacy Day, hosted by The Arc Washington State, Self Advocates in Leadership and the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council.

A Message from Our Executive Director: Racism is a Disability Issue

We should also remember that racism is a disability issue. Because of the intersectionality of race and disability, many black people with developmental disabilities experience discrimination based on each identity.

#CutsCauseCrisis

Given the unprecedented budget shortfall, the Developmental Disabilities Council, along with 22 other organizations, sent a letter to Washington State budget writers asking them to consider six guiding principles as they face very difficult decisions.

COVID-19 Community Grants

Community Employment Alliance Virtual Conference

A purposeful gathering filled with updates, inspiration, and the motivation to work together!

Good News: DOH Affirms Non-Discrimination Policy for Medical Treatment

The Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased that the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) heard our concerns about the possibility of healthcare discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clearing Up Confusions About Healthcare Rationing

These minutes are from a call that happened with the Department of Health and disability advocates to clear up confusion about rationing health care for people with disabilities.

DD Town Hall Recorded Sessions

The Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc of Washington State, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration are hosting virtual town hall meetings this week to talk about the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak on the developmental disabilities community, and what is being done to meet the needs of people across the state.

Let’s Talk: Covid-19

Let’s Talk COVID-19 is one page guide for families, friends and care providers of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, recently published by Informing Families, a resource of the Washington State DD Council.

“What in the World is Going On?” Plain Language Guide to COVID-19

Informing Families (a resource of the Washington State DD Council) recently released a plain talk guide to COVID-19.

DD Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19

Please join the Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc of Washington State, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration for a virtual town hall to talk about the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak on the developmental disabilities community, and what is being done to meet the needs of people across the state.

COVID-19 Resources for People with IDD, Families, and Care Providers

We’ve compiled a list of official and informal resources for news and information on COVID-19, Services, Education, Health Care, Financial Resources, Activities for School Age Children, Support for Families, and Social Outlets. This list is being updated daily.

FDA Bans Electrical Stimulation Devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration finally published a final rule to ban electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

National DD Awareness Month: What Kind of World Do You Dream of?

Celebrating National DD Awareness Month with Informing Families’ video, I Dream of a World, featuring the shared hopes and dreams for all people to live, love, learn, and belong.

ABLE and DD Endowment Trust Seek New Board Members

2020 AAPD & Coca Cola Summer Internship Program

DDC Welcomes New Public Policy Director

Family Caregiving Advisory Council Seeks Input

Accepting Applications for Public Policy Director

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council is seeking a public policy director to conduct advocacy, capacity building, and systems change activities.

Pierce and King Counties to Host Legislative Forums

Pierce and King Counties legislative forums are coming up. These are great opportunities for everyone to meet and hear from state elected officials.

CDE Readiness Survey

DSHS is working to implement Consumer Directed Employers (CDEs) for Individual Providers (IPs) of in-home personal care and respite in Washington state.

Opportunity for Input on DDA Service Gap

The November 18th meeting of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee (JLEC) on Planning for Aging and Disability Issues will include a discussion about the overwhelming number of DDA clients who are receiving no paid services.

2019 A Chance to Parent Conference

“TASP: A Chance to Parent” Conference is coming to Seattle October 28-29 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.

Disability Organizations Denounce Efforts to Exclude People with Disabilities from Their Communities

Disability Rights Washington and dozens of co-signing national and local organizations and legal partners submitted comments to the Attorney General’s Office. The letter sends a clear message to the Attorney General, the legislature, local governments, and the general public that people with mental health disabilities and their allies and advocates will not stand for discriminatory efforts to exclude them from our communities and that efforts to do so will be swiftly met with strong advocacy.

Meet Our New Executive Director, Jeremy Norden-Paul

It’s a sunny day on the shores of Olympia’s Budd Inlet as Ivanova Smith talks policy, advocacy and life in the Pacific Northwest with Washington State DD Council’s new Executive Director, Jeremy Norden-Paul.

Allies in Advocacy Leadership Forum

f you or someone you know is a youth or emerging leader, concerned with the rights of people with a disability, and involved in the self­-advocacy civil rights movement, Allies in Advocacy invites you to join a free all day leadership forum at the SeaTac Airport Conference Center on Tuesday, August 20th from 9 am to 4 pm.

National Disability Voter Registration Week is July 15-19

Did you know that there are nearly 30 million people with disabilities eligible to vote when registered? This number does not even include “the ripple effect” of family, friends, and service professionals who will vote in-line with disability interests.

Washington DDC Announces New Director

The Washington Developmental Disabilities Council is very pleased to announce that Jeremy Norden-Paul will be assuming the position of Executive Director for the Council, effective July 1, 2019.

Family Caregiver Conference

This year’s family caregiver conference, Giving Care Taking Care, is coming up June 3, 2019 in Tukwila, WA. The conference is designed for family and community caregivers and offers practical, up-to-date resources and information to help you in your caregiving responsibilities.

Financial Exploitation Explained: Learn the Signs, Protect Yourself, Get Help

A new video by Informing Families, in collaboration with People First of Thurston County, explains what to look for and how to respond if you or someone you know is being exploited financially.

Need a Break: Take the DD Respite Survey

The Developmental Disabilities Respite Survey is an opportunity to tell us about your respite needs, as well as help you identify options you may not even know about.

Northwest Access Fund to Host ABLE Workshop

The Northwest Access Fund is hosting a free workshop about ABLE accounts in Spokane on May 17th. ABLE accounts present an exciting opportunity for people with disabilities to save without the fear of losing state and federal benefits.

Local Leadership Request for Proposals

The DD Council is now accepting submissions for Developmental Disabilities Local Leadership.

People First Job Announcements

People First of Washington is hiring for two positions: Program Administrator and Office Administrator.

DD Council Member Recruitment to Open Soon

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council will soon be accepting applications by individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to fill open positions on the Governor-appointed Council.

CMS Decertifies a Section at Rainier School

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notified the state that it is decertifying one of three facilities at Rainier School residential habilitation center in Buckley.

Recruiting New Executive Director

The WA State Developmental Disabilities Council is seeking an Executive Director with demonstrated interest, leadership and experience in directing advocacy and systemic change activities that impact and improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Rooted in Rights: Don’t Block the Box

Rooted in Rights is joining Transportation Choices Coalition to support legislation to allow traffic enforcement cameras.

Family Caregiver Support Group for Memory Loss

Are you caring for someone with Down Syndrome who exhibits memory loss? The Alzheimer’s Association invites you to participate in a new support group

Consumer Directed Employer Webinar

Do you provide or receive personal care from an Individual Provider, or know someone who does? Beginning the summer of 2020, a new entity called the Consumer Director Employer (CDE) will assume administrative functions of the Individual Provider workforce.