Council Activities, Programs, and Projects

The Advocacy Partnership Project trains and supports individuals in leadership skills and systems advocacy about people with developmental disabilities and their families. The project prepares participants to get involved in advocacy at the local, state and federal level. This is a long-standing project between the Council and Arc of Washington.

The Council supports Washington State Allies in Advocacy, a self-advocate-led civil rights organization that provides technical assistance, training and advocacy to strengthen self-advocacy organizations and increase the power of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead the lives they choose.

The Developmental Disabilities Community Advocacy Coalition brings advocacy organizations together to share information, align priorities, and strengthen advocacy for meaningful community living for people with developmental disabilities.

The Council participates in the Dan Thompson Advisory Committee, which helps guide funding recommendations for projects across Washington that improve services, supports and community opportunities for people with I/DD and their families.

The Community Advocacy Coalition is an ongoing grassroots coalition that brings advocacy organizations together to share information, coordinate legislative priorities, and strengthen the voice of people with developmental disabilities across Washington State.

The History and Visioning Project honors the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council’s 50-year journey of advancing disability rights and inclusion across Washington.

Informing Families is a resource provided by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, in collaboration with the Developmental Disabilities Administration and other partners throughout the state. Informing Families provides trusted news and information to individuals and families that empowers them to be active participants in planning and building a network of support and opportunities.

Self-Advocates in Leadership is a Council-supported statewide group for people with IDD who work together to share their voices, build advocacy skills, and help shape laws, policies and local changes that improve housing, health care, transportation, services and community life.

This project is a collaboration of several partners to improve transition planning for special education students who qualify for services offered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).