People

This section of the History and Visioning Project centers the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington State. It reflects both individual stories and shared experiences that have shaped disability advocacy, public policy, and community life over time. By highlighting how people with IDD have lived, organized, spoken out, and pushed for change, this history shows that progress has been driven not just by systems or programs, but by people themselves.

Before the DDC

People

Issues

1970's

1980's

1945-2025: Self-Advocate Mike Raymond's Story

Mike Raymond’s journey from life inside Rainier School to becoming one of Washington’s most influential self-advocates helped shape the state’s disability rights movement and continues to guide efforts toward community-based supports today.

Before the DDC

Historic Events

Issues

People

Policy

1960s: Exposing the Abuse of Civil Rights

In the 1960s, national exposure of civil rights abuses in institutions—including Willowbrook, Pennhurst, and the documentation in Christmas in Purgatory—helped launch the modern disability rights movement.

Before the DDC

Historic Events

People

1960’s The Roots of the People First Movement

The People First movement began in the late 1960s when people with intellectual and developmental disabilities organized to speak for themselves, shaping a powerful self-advocacy movement that emphasized choice, leadership, and the belief that people are more important than labels.

People

1970's

1980's

1990's

2000's

Video Interview - Robert Wardell

Robert Wardell recounts his experience living in two of Washington State's residential habilitation centers (also known as RHC's or institutions) and his journey to living in the community. He also shares some tips for advocacy and his hope for future IDD advocates.

Issues

Policy

People

Before the DDC

1980's

Video Interview Diana Stadden

Diana reflects on decades of work in Washington’s disability community, sharing how listening to self-advocates and learning from people who experienced institutions helped drive progress toward true community inclusion.

2000's

2010's

2020's

Policy

People

Video Interview - Shawn Latham

Shawn Latham shares his perspective on disability advocacy and systems change. He talks about his own lived experience, his involvement with disability organizations, and what it has meant to be part of advocacy work over time.

Interviews

2000's

2010's

2020's

People

Video Interview - Ivanova Smith

Ivanova Smith shares lived experience growing up in institutional and segregated systems, a journey through special education in Washington, and work advancing disability rights.