Disability Rights Washington

10/20/2026

from the Institute on Human Development and Disability: “Take Me Home,” a film exploring disability, family caregiving, and belonging, screens at Seattle’s Tasveer Film Center October 23–29:
https://ihdd.org/2026/10/16/take-me-home-explores-disability-and-family-caregiving/

Written and directed by Liz Sargent, the film stars her sister, Anna Sargent, who has a cognitive disability. It follows Anna, a Korean adoptee caring for her aging parents, as an unexpected crisis disrupts their routines and she begins to create a world where she can thrive.

The story invites reflection on independence, sibling relationships, and the support people with disabilities and their families need throughout their lives.

10/19/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026–2027 Building Capacity: Brain Injury Conference-Workshop Series, sponsored by the Department of Social & Health Services and the Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council of Washington State.

This free, virtual series explores the complex intersections of brain injury with mental health and emotional regulation, the legal system, and substance use and recovery. All sessions run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Pacific Time.

Register for Upcoming Sessions:
▪️ Friday, October 23rd, 2026: Brain Injury, Mental Health, and Emotional Regulation
▪️Friday, February 19th, 2027: Brain Injury and the Law
▪️Friday, May 21st, 2027: Brain Injury, Substance Use, and Recovery

These conference-workshops will address challenging themes through a brain injury lens, providing valuable insights and support for survivors, families, caregivers, and professionals. Registration is free and sessions are designed for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of these important topics: https://tbieventsportal.org/

Please note: Sessions will include discussion of sensitive topics. We encourage participants to practice self-care, and resources will be available.



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ID: Flyer announcing that registration is open for the 2026-2027 Building Capacity Brain Injury Conference Workshop Series. White text sits on blue and orange blocks, next to a photo of a person with short auburn hair and glasses typing at a desk. The computer screen shows an “Online Education” page.

10/17/2026

For residents and commuters with disabilities: Do you live, work or travel along SR 507 in Centralia? WSDOT wants to hear from you! 📣

WSDOT and Centralia are planning for the future of SR 507, and your experience can help shape what comes next.

Whether you drive, walk, bike, take transit or move goods through the area, tell them how you use the corridor, where you experience challenges and what you think could work better. Your feedback will help identify and prioritize potential future improvements.

📅 Survey open through Friday, Oct. 30
📝 Takes about 15 minutes
🔗 bit.ly/SR507Survey

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Graphic asking people who live, work, or travel on SR 507 in Centralia to take a short survey. The top shows a map of Centralia with an orange line marking the study area, next to an old black-and-white photo of downtown with a “Hub City Centralia” sign. Below, white text on green reads “We want to hear from you!” with a QR code for the survey and the WSDOT logo.

10/16/2026

🏛️ Earlier this week, our staff joined The Arc of Washington State and Self Advocates In Leadership (SAIL) at a House Early Learning and Human Services Committee work session on services for people with developmental disabilities.

Washington has made great progress expanding access to community integration, including the recent launch of the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s 10-year plan with goals to reduce the need for institutional care and to improve access to community-based services. As we shared with the committee, “This is a great example of progress we can’t lose.”

Our message: In the wake of a shifting federal landscape, Washington should step in to provide stability by affirming its commitment to people with disabilities and their right to choose community living.

Watch the session: https://tvw.org/video/house-early-learning-human-services-2026101117/?eventID=2026101117


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ID 1: Screenshot from a TVW broadcast of a Washington House committee hearing. Two individuals appear on a smaller video in the upper left side corner, speaking to a slide about DRW's role.

ID 2: Screenshot from the same hearing. A white slide titled “Alarming federal retreat from Olmstead’s integration mandate.”

ID 3: Screenshot from the same hearing. A blue slide with a white evergreen tree is titled “Community integration is central to modern disability policy."

ID 4: Screenshot from the same hearing. A blue slide titled “Washington State must provide stability” says people with disabilities should not lose access to community life when federal policy changes.

10/15/2026

It’s time to stop asking, “How can we force treatment on more people better?” and start asking, “How can we provide meaningful help earlier?” 💡

Involuntary civil commitment is Washington’s most restrictive and costly form of treatment, and it fails many people. The Coalition for Dignified and Effective Care has the facts, sources, and what policymakers can do differently: https://disabilityrightswa.org/involuntary-civil-commitment-get-the-facts/

The Arc of King County, NAMI Thurston Mason, Guided Pathways - Support for Youth & Families , Lived Experience Consultants and The Power Coalition

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ID 1: Navy blue backgroup with an information icon and text that reads Involuntary Civil Commitment. Get the Facts. The text is in white color.

ID 2: Text asks the question, what is involuntary civil commitment (ICC)? And gives a definition of ICC as the legal process used to force something into treatment for a behavioral health condition without their consent.

ID 3: Text gives a description of the Coalition for Dignified Effective Care.

ID 4: Text encourages you to visit our website for sources, additional reading and information about the coalition.

10/14/2026

Voting can bring up a lot of questions, and that’s okay.

King County Elections is hosting Accessible Voting Events at local libraries and community spaces, and friendly, trained staff will be there to help. Stop by to ask questions, update your address, get a new ballot, or try an accessible voting unit.

We’d love for you to find one near you:
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/how-to-vote/ballots/accessible-voting-options

Information about accessible voting options in King County.

10/14/2026

🗳️ Reminder: Election Day is November 3!

Starting October 16, ballots will be mailed out and Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers. Find accessibility resources with the Washington Secretary of State to support your right to vote this election: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-eligibility-resources/voters-disabilities



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Image description:
Navy text box reading “Ballots Are Coming. Know Your Voting Options. Election Day: November 3. Voting opens: October 16. Your voice matters — every vote counts.” Behind it, a hand holds up a “My Vote Counts” sticker on a fingertip.

10/13/2026

Washington is making a long-term plan for services and support for people with developmental disabilities—your perspective and lived experience matters.

💬 Take the short A Path Forward survey and help shape what comes next: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/disability-services-and-support/developmental-disabilities-services/path-forward

Wanted: Disability services that work for WA's developmental disability community.

Got ideas on barriers and solutions? Help inform a plan to get us where we need to be.The legislature asked the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to work with the community to:

* Identify how to reduce the need for large institutional care settings.

* Make community-based services easier to find and use.

* Improve service access.

* Find out what is needed to strengthen services, supports, and the workforce.

You can share your experiences and priorities through the Path Forward survey, https://bit.ly/PathForwardSurvey

Survey closes on October 30, 2026.

To read more about A Path Forward, visit the project webpage at: https://bit.ly/DSHSPathForward

Self Advocates In Leadership
People First of Washington
Allies in Advocacy

The Arc - Washington State
The Arc - Whatcom County The Arc of Snohomish County The Arc of Grays Harbor The Arc of Cowlitz County The Arc of Tri-Cities The Arc of Spokane

Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council

10/12/2026

As a dad to twins with autism, Puyallup Tribe member Shawn Reynolds noticed that powwows rarely made space for dancers with disabilities, so he partnered with South Sound Powwow organizers to change that.

The result was a dance with no age limits or regalia requirements, where headphones, support people, and street clothes were all welcome. His goal is for this practice spread to powwows across the U.S. and Canada.

On Indigenous Peoples Day, read the full KUOW Public Radio story: https://www.kuow.org/arts-life/2026-10-02/powwow-dancing-isnt-always-accessible-this-puyallup-tribe-dad-wants-to-change-that

Providing disability accommodations for powwow participants isn’t common on the powwow circuit, but one Washington man has made it his mission to bring the practice to dances across North America. His effort brought a new element to the Fourth Annual South Sound Powwow.