The Arc - Washington State

The National Leadership Consortium, in partnership with the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (WADDC), is conducting a statewide survey and interviews in Washington state investigating the practices, needs, and experiences of people with co-occurring developmental disabilities AND mental and/or behavioral health support needs and hopes to hear from people with lived experience! Visit https://natleadership.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DK8KA9m7ktx21o to begin the survey.

This project seeks participants who are:
• Adults living in Washington state with a developmental disability and mental/behavioral health support needs
• Caregivers of people living in Washington state with developmental disabilities and mental/behavioral health support needs

Visit https://natleadership.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DK8KA9m7ktx21o to begin the survey. The survey will be open for responses until August 9th.

Schedule an individual interview between July 15th and August
9th and receive a $20 Amazon eGift Card after the interview: https://natleadership.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4YNKUDMxw8fPIIS

We're thrilled to partner with Special Olympics Washington this to raise awareness by sharing stories and resources ✨

Here's Gail, parent of Special Olympics athlete Kate, sharing why Disability Pride is important. It truly does make a world of difference when we all choose inclusion 💜🥰

If you'd like to share why Disability Pride is important to you, post your response in the comments below or send us a DM!

"Children with developmental disabilities often struggle to access dental care even though they are at increased risk of tooth decay and other issues. Now, new guidance is detailing what pediatricians should do to help.

In a 20-page clinical report released this week, the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights the unique circumstances facing those with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities when it comes to oral health."

Pediatricians Get Guidance On Dental Care For Kids With Developmental Disabilities Children with IDD often struggle to access dental care even though they are at increased risk of tooth decay and other issues. Now, new guidance is detailing what pediatricians should do to help.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is asking for support in making telehealth access permanent for Medicare Beneficiaries.

They are requesting legislative action to make Telehealth a permanent coverage for speech therapy for Medicare clients. So many clients who have a diagnosis of ID will not be allowed to continue even if they have Medicaid as a secondary.

Click the link below for more information and to take action. After accessing the link, be sure to scroll down to the correct Action Alert.

ASHA Take Action Take Action! Voice support for legislative efforts on behalf of the professions.

The Arc of Washington is partnering with Partners4Housing to help reach families throughout Washington State to access their FREE Benefits and Housing Review. For individuals who are 16 years or older, Partners4Housing’s Benefits and Housing Review is a great way to begin planning for the future.

The review will help you and your family member identify gaps in benefits, housing options in Washington, learn about Section 8, and more! Access your free benefits and housing review TODAY by visiting https://arcwa.org/partners4housing/

“A unique DSP occupational code will ensure the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics can accurately capture employment and wage data specific to the profession, which will in turn assist federal and state policymakers to inform and impact future policy,” more than two dozen disability advocacy groups wrote in a letter to lawmakers earlier this month. “Accurate and comprehensive data on DSPs is crucial for understanding the workforce crisis and developing effective solutions.”

Amid Shortage Of DSPs, Disability Advocates Push For Nationwide Head Count The federal government is weighing whether to start tracking the number of DSPs, a move advocates call a critical first step in easing the nation's dire shortage of workers caring for people with IDD.

"In the US, many people struggle to opt in to a confusing labyrinth of services. Many states ration them, which just makes matters worse. Additionally, because states have developed their own processes for granting people benefits, the US has a patchwork of different IDD support and care systems that profoundly complicates interstate moves."

How to care for people in your life with intellectual disabilities A practical guide to navigating a fractured support system.

Why is Disability Pride Month held in July?

Disability Pride Month takes place every July! July marks the ADAs anniversary, which was passed on July 26th, 1990. At first, Disability Pride started as a day of celebration held in Boston in 1990.

The first official celebration of Disability Pride Month happened in July 2015, marking the 25th anniversary of the ADA.

Now, there are events nationwide that celebrate and empower people with disabilities during the month of July! 🎉

"The federal government spent $80.6 billion to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2021 alone. A new report breaks down where it went.

Researchers from the University of Kansas analyzed how funding to support those with developmental disabilities was allocated for the 2021 fiscal year, the most recent year with complete figures. The work is part of the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project, which has tracked federal funding in this area for more than 40 years."

Billions Are Spent On IDD Services Annually. Where Does It All Go? The federal government spent $80.6 billion to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2021 alone. A new report breaks down where it went.

"Brown said she sees the Disability Pride Month Proclamation acting as a policy change and advocating for social change. Through the proclamation, she said she sees that the city is committed to inclusion for people of all abilities."

Renton council roundup: Disability Pride Month, Life Saving Medals | Renton Reporter “I am just so thankful that the city of Renton is taking the initiative on this to drive awareness for Disability Pride Month.”

"For students with disabilities, graduation and life beyond school — including full-time employment and independent living — can seem out of reach, as traditional school models and curricula are not typically catered to students who need individual education plans."

For Students In Special Ed, Transitional Schools Bridge Gap Between High School And Employment The schools provide a bridge from school to the workforce through specialized instruction, social-emotional learning and opportunities to complete paid work at local companies.

🎉 It’s Disability Pride Month! Did you know that there’s a Disability Pride Flag?

Created in 2019 by Ann Magill, this flag is a powerful visual symbol for the disability community. It was designed to celebrate disability pride and advocate for disability rights.

"Countless federal regulations ensuring the rights of people with disabilities to everything from health care to community living could face legal challenges after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 40-year-old precedent.

In a ruling issued late last month, the high court said that courts should no longer defer to the interpretation of federal agencies in situations where laws are ambiguous."

Supreme Court Ruling May Upend Disability Rights Protections, Advocates Fear Countless federal regulations ensuring the rights of people with disabilities could face legal challenges after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 40-year-old precedent.

As temperatures soar into triple digits across the state in the next few days, please visit the link below to locate Extreme Heat Cooling Centers throughout the state. These centers provide cooling relief for individuals without access to air conditioning during periods of extreme heat.

search.wa211.org

The League of Educator Voters and the Association of Washington Student Leaders is hosting an event, Our Voices: A Student-Led Virtual Candidate Forum for the Next Superintendent of Washington State Schools. The event will be held July 9th from 6:00-7:30PM.

"This event is more than a showcase of the candidates for the Superintendent of Public Instruction; it is also a platform to center student voices, experiences, and priorities, and help shape the future of education from student perspectives."

To register for the event visit the link below!

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Our Voices: A Student-Led Candidate Forum for the Next Superintendent of Washington State Schools. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Join us on July 9th from 6:00-7:30 pm for Our Voices: A Student-Led Candidate Forum for the Next Superintendent of Washington State Schools. This event is more than a showcase of the candidates for the Superintendent of Public Instruction; it is also a platform to center student voices, experiences,...

Check out this great video Kindering has put together for Disability Pride Month covering some background and history on this month!

Introduction to Disability Pride Month Happy Disability Pride month!Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and strug...

July is Disability Pride Month!

Disability Pride Month takes place in July to honor the mark of the ADA’s Anniversary. The ADA was passed on July 26th, 1990. We celebrate disability pride and aim to foster a community where all individuals feel acknowledged, heard, and appreciated.

Throughout July we will be sharing resources and sharing from community partners how they celebrate Disability Pride Month.

Share with us in the comments below why Disability Pride Month is important to YOU and what you are proud of!

"Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are subject to an annual COLA based on inflation rates to ensure that monthly payments keep pace with rising costs.

In October of 2023, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that beneficiaries will see a 3.2% increase for 2024, raising the average monthly payment for Social Security benefits by more than $50 and the maximum SSI payment by $30."

Social Security, SSI Increase May Disappoint Social Security and SSI benefits are expected to rise again next year, according a new estimate, but probably not by as much as last time.

"In Washington state, about 8,500 fewer children than typically expected — enough to fill 450 classrooms — in grades K-5 were identified as needing special education between March 2020 and the start of the 2021-22 school year, according to a new brief from CALDER, the American Institutes for Research’s Center for the Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research. Compared to 2018-19, the identification rate was 23% lower in 2019-20 and 20% lower in 2020-21."

Schools Missed Thousands Of Kids For Special Ed Referrals During COVID A new report reveals huge numbers of children with disabilities were never evaluated for crucial services — with alarming implications.

Juneteenth dates back to 1865, over 150 years ago. It marks the day that the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas had found out they had been freed. The day became a legal federal holiday in the U.S. in 2021. The article below shares the holiday's history and more on how the holiday is celebrated!

The beginner’s guide to celebrating Juneteenth People who never gave the holiday more than a passing thought may be asking themselves, is there a “right” way to celebrate Juneteenth? Here are some answers.

Discover the powerful stories of Black women with disabilities and their connection to in an inspiring article written by our board member, Yvette Pegues - Ms. Wheelchair International 2016. As we celebrate this day, we honor their strength and continue to advocate for justice. Click the link ⬇️ to read more and be part of the conversation for justice and inclusion!

https://pulse.ly/m8xnkamnjp

Dr. Tania May, the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, provides an end-of-the-year legislative wrap-up. To watch the video visit the link below!

OSPI Special Education Monthly Update Video for June 2024 This video overview for the June 2024 OSPI Special Education Monthly update provide highlights from this year's legislative session.

"SSI’s asset limit and other rules are so out of date that many of the poorest Americans — who most need SSI — are excluded from the program."

These disabled people tried to play by the rules. It cost them their federal benefits A little-known Social Security program was supposed to lift people out of poverty. Sometimes it traps them there instead.

"Pediatricians are advised to actively engage their patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities about care decisions while being mindful of their ability to communicate and understand decisions about their care. They should work with youth, their families, legal experts and other stakeholders to determine the level of appropriate support."

Doctors Get Guidance On Supporting Teens With IDD The nation's pediatricians are getting new guidance on how to help teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families navigate the transition to adulthood.

"More than 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became law, many schools remain inaccessible to students with disabilities. Now, federal officials are calling for change.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Education recently released a webinar detailing recommendations for school districts to make their facilities more accessible.

The move comes in response to a Government Accountability Office report issued almost four years ago, which found that the majority of public school districts were not physically accessible to students with disabilities."

Feds Push Schools To Improve Accessibility More than 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became law, many schools remain inaccessible to students with disabilities. Now, federal officials are calling for change.