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.

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.

Diana reflects on her decades of work in Washington’s disability community, including supporting Advocacy Days and the Self Advocates in Leadership (SAIL) program. She shares why listening to self-advocates is essential, how stories from people who lived in institutions shaped change, and the progress she’s seen in moving toward true community inclusion.

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.