In 2006, Washington State implemented the Working Age Adult Policy (WAAP), establishing employment as the primary service outcome for adults with developmental disabilities between the ages of 21 and retirement age. The policy prioritized integrated, community-based employment as the first option for working-age adults receiving services through the Developmental Disabilities Administration. WAAP marked a clear shift in service expectations by reinforcing that employment in typical community settings, with appropriate supports, should be the foundation of adult services.

The policy required case managers and service providers to focus on job development, supported employment, and individualized planning aimed at helping people pursue paid work in inclusive environments. While alternative day services remained available under certain conditions, WAAP emphasized that employment should be considered first. The implementation of WAAP represented a significant step in aligning Washington’s service system with national trends promoting inclusion, economic participation, and meaningful community roles for adults with developmental disabilities.