Public Policy News

2022 Public Policy Legislative Priorities

2022 Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council Legislative agenda was approved by the DDC council in October 2021 and will guide our efforts during the upcoming legislative session.

Opportunity for Input on DDA Service Gap

The November 18th meeting of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee (JLEC) on Planning for Aging and Disability Issues will include a discussion about the overwhelming number of DDA clients who are receiving no paid services.

Accepting Applications for Public Policy Director

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council is seeking a public policy director to conduct advocacy, capacity building, and systems change activities.

DDC Welcomes New Public Policy Director

National DD Awareness Month: What Kind of World Do You Dream of?

Celebrating National DD Awareness Month with Informing Families’ video, I Dream of a World, featuring the shared hopes and dreams for all people to live, love, learn, and belong.

FDA Bans Electrical Stimulation Devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration finally published a final rule to ban electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

“What in the World is Going On?” Plain Language Guide to COVID-19

Informing Families (a resource of the Washington State DD Council) recently released a plain talk guide to COVID-19.

DD Town Hall Recorded Sessions

The Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc of Washington State, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration are hosting virtual town hall meetings this week to talk about the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak on the developmental disabilities community, and what is being done to meet the needs of people across the state.

Clearing Up Confusions About Healthcare Rationing

These minutes are from a call that happened with the Department of Health and disability advocates to clear up confusion about rationing health care for people with disabilities.

Good News: DOH Affirms Non-Discrimination Policy for Medical Treatment

The Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased that the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) heard our concerns about the possibility of healthcare discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

#CutsCauseCrisis

Given the unprecedented budget shortfall, the Developmental Disabilities Council, along with 22 other organizations, sent a letter to Washington State budget writers asking them to consider six guiding principles as they face very difficult decisions.