The Arc - Washington State

10/19/2026

A Path Forward: Share Your Input!

Washington State is gathering input to help shape the future of developmental disability services and supports in Washington.

Take a short survey to share what is working, what needs to improve, and what matters most to you. Your input can help inform the future of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The survey is open through October 30, 2026.

To learn more about A Path Forward and to take the survey visit https://www.dshs.wa.gov/disability-services-and-support/developmental-disabilities-services/path-forward

10/14/2026

A new proposal from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services could end services for an estimated 2,655 people with developmental disabilities by changing eligibility requirements.

“The Arc of Washington State Executive Director Stacy Dym said “changes to eligibility like this proposal call into question Washington state’s commitment to serving our most vulnerable residents in the most integrated setting appropriate to their individual needs.”

Read the full article here: https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/10/07/wa-officials-consider-steep-cut-to-developmental-disability-services/

10/14/2026

The Arc’s National Convention is coming to Portland, Oregon, November 18–20!

Join advocates, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, and professionals from across the country to connect, learn, and share ideas on issues affecting the I/DD community.

Topics include Medicaid and home and community-based services, employment, education, mental health, technology, and advocacy.

Consider joining us in Portland this November!

Learn more and register:

The Arc’s National Convention is an unmatched opportunity to connect with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, other advocates, professionals, and more!

10/07/2026

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!

This month, we’re highlighting the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace and sharing resources, stories, and ways to support disability employment.

Learn more about NDEAM, this year's theme, and resources at https://thearc.org/blog/how-and-why-to-celebrate-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-october/

10/01/2026

Upcoming event opportunity NEXT week, October 6th and 7th! 🧡

The National Disability Caregivers Conference is a free 2-day virtual event for families, advocates & professionals.

This free, virtual conference will bring together caregivers, self-advocates, and experts for two days of connection, resources, and information on topics including Supported Decision-Making, ABLE accounts, navigating disability services, and public benefits.

The conference is co-presented by The Arc of California and Caring Across Generations. Register for free using the link below and learn more about the sessions and presenters.

The webinar will be held virtually on October 6 and 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day.

To learn more and register for the event visit: https://www.caringfutures.org/conference

10/01/2026

In 1978, the General Telephone Company of the Northwest (GTNW) made a public commitment to serve citizens with development disabilities. They created a partnership with The Arc of Snohomish County and even traded board leaders between the two organizations.

GTNW produced a ten-page paperzine to share the stories of people with IDD and promote the work they were doing alongside The Arc. The articles below feature a company in Lynwood that operated what was called a ‘sheltered workshop’. As a result of the parent movement that became The Arc relentlessly educating the wider public about the capabilities of people with IDD, Washington state started providing funding for these workshops to pay people with IDD to perform jobs back in the 1950s.

The articles below give a glimpse into the changing attitudes and perceptions of people with IDD. In the same decade, Washington passed the Education for All act that would become the precursor to the national IDEA law.

These historical artifacts are being shared as part of The Arc of Washington State’s ongoing celebration of the organization’s 90th anniversary in 2026 and were originally curated and collected by former board member Larry Jones. Many of these artifacts use outdated and sometimes harmful language in reference to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They should only be considered as representative of a moment in history and not as a recommendation for language to be used today.

09/29/2026

Despite the advances being made federally and socially in how people with IDD were being understood, treated, and included, the decade would end with the largest number of people with IDD isolated in state institutions in our state’s history. At the peak, 4,197 people were confined to state “schools” across Washington.

The news article below from the October 9, 1966 edition of the Tacoma News Tribune details the inhumane and appalling conditions at the Rainier Residential Habilitation Center (RHC) also known as Rainier School. A combination of severe understaffing, resident overcrowding, and lack of state accountability led to a disastrous and unacceptable situation that stripped residents of their dignity and basic human rights.

The trauma of these institutions is still alive and well-remembered by many people with IDD who once endured these conditions. Many of them today are self-advocates who continue to call for the shutdown of the remaining four RHCs in Washington State. The Arc of Washington State is proud to advocate alongside them for Washington to once and for all make a plan to fully transition out of the era of institutionalization.

These historical artifacts are being shared as part of The Arc of Washington State’s ongoing celebration of the organization’s 90th anniversary in 2026 and were originally curated and collected by former board member Larry Jones. Many of these artifacts use outdated and sometimes harmful language in reference to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They should only be considered as representative of a moment in history and not as a recommendation for language to be used today.

09/29/2026

Act Now: Protect Head Start for Children With Disabilities

The Arc of the United States is asking people to speak up about proposed changes to Head Start that could weaken important protections for children with disabilities and their families.

Head Start connects many children with disabilities and their families to developmental screenings, early supports, and other services. The proposed changes could affect access to these supports, developmental screenings, family involvement, and protections for children.

You can help by submitting a public comment by October 6. Share why strong Head Start protections matter to you, your family, or your community.

Learn more and take action here: https://act.thearc.org/campaign/168429/

09/29/2026

In the photo below from The Arc of Washington State’s archives, President John F. Kennedy is handing a pen used to sign landmark legislation to fund community services, research facilities, and training of special education teachers to support children with developmental disabilities. Receiving the pen is his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who would go on to found the Special Olympics. In the background is Mr. John G. Fettinger, who was president of the National ARC at the time and also received one of the bill signing pens that day.

This legislation, known as the Community Mental Health Act (CMHA) of 1963, served as a milestone and shift in federal funding priorities towards community-based services. The funding assigned as a result of this bill began our country’s slow, ongoing shift away from isolated institutions and towards community-based care for people with IDD.
These historical artifacts are being shared as part of The Arc of Washington State’s ongoing celebration of the organization’s 90th anniversary in 2026 and were originally curated and collected by former board member Larry Jones. Many of these artifacts use outdated and sometimes harmful language in reference to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They should only be considered as representative of a moment in history and not as a recommendation for language to be used today.

09/28/2026

Yes! Spots are available for our October 17 Wings for® All event at SeaTac International Airport

Want to participate? https://bit.ly/Wings_participant
Want to volunteer? https://bit.ly/Wings_volunteer

Questions? Email Stacia at [email protected]

Wings for All® is a practice program to help reduce stress for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. The experience includes checking in for boarding passes, going through TSA security screening, waiting in the boarding area, and boarding an aircraft.

Please note: Participants 18 and older will need a Real ID. You must be registered to participate.

University of Washington Autism Center Seattle Children's Autism Center
The Arc - Washington State The Arc of Snohomish County
Highline Special Needs Parent Teacher Association Shoreline Special Education PTSA Northshore Special Education Community PTSA Seattle Special Education PTSA Bellevue Special Services - PTA Council Committee Lake Washington PTSA Special Education Group Federal Way Special Education PTA Issaquah Special Education PTSA Snoqualmie Valley PTSA Special Education and Disabilities - SED Committee