Public Policy News

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

DDC Welcomes New Public Policy Director

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.

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.