This document summarizes key Washington State legislative accomplishments related to intellectual and developmental disabilities between 1983 and 1988. During this period, lawmakers advanced a wide range of policies affecting children, families, and adults, including expanded early intervention and preschool services, reforms to special education funding, protections for family rights, and increased access to health care and insurance coverage. Legislation also strengthened family support programs, clarified foster care policies, and expanded protections for privacy and due process.

The summary also highlights major investments and policy changes affecting adult services, employment, housing, and community living. These included funding for employment training and placement, stabilization of supported employment programs, increased access to dental and health services, residential program expansions, and reforms supporting self-medication and community residential placement. Additional legislation addressed accessibility, telecommunications support, interpreter services, civil rights protections, and updates to the statutory definition of developmental disabilities. Together, these actions reflect a period of significant growth and system change that expanded services, strengthened rights, and supported greater community inclusion across Washington State.