The DDC works with people with developmental disabilities, family members, service providers, state agencies, policy makers, and other community members across Washington State to fulfill our mission.
The DDC leads a variety of activities to help us meet the goals and objectives in our 5-Year State Plan. You can learn more about some of those activities below.
All Council Activities:
Advocacy Leadership Development Cohort (ALDC)
The Advocacy Leadership Development Cohort (ALDC) project, initiated by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, aims to empower communities across the state to tackle barriers impacting individuals with developmental disabilities. This initiative is designed to foster the formation of Community Teams that will lead advocacy efforts, develop innovative solutions, and drive meaningful policy changes. T
Advocacy Partnership Project
The local leadership project trains and supports individuals in leadership skills and systems advocacy about people with developmental disabilities and their families. The project prepares participants to get involved in advocacy at the local, state and federal level.
Dan Thompson Advisory Committee
The Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account was created in 2005 after the death of Dan Thompson. He was an advocate, a Microsoft employee, and a person with a developmental disability. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to get recommendations from the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) on how to spend the funding. The DDC created the Dan Thompson Advisory Committee to identify priorities and create an application process.
Home & Community-Based Services QA Advisory Committee
The purpose of the Home and Community Based Services Quality Assurance Advisory Committee is to provide oversight and guidance for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) administered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).
Informing Families
Informing Families is a resource provided by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, in collaboration with the Developmental Disabilities Administration and other partners throughout the state. Informing Families provides trusted news and information to individuals and families that empowers them to be active participants in planning and building a network of support and opportunities.
Self Advocates in Leadership (SAIL)
Self Advocates in Leadership (SAIL) is a group in Washington State that brings together people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to speak up about important issues. SAIL focuses on making sure people with IDD have their voices heard when decisions are made that affect their lives. The group talks about challenges like finding good housing, getting fair healthcare, having reliable transportation, and accessing quality services. By working together, members of SAIL help create positive changes in laws and policies that lead to better lives and more opportunities.
Transition Collaborative Project
This project is a collaboration of several partners to improve transition planning for special education students who qualify for services offered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).
Our work has three main goals:
- To review and recommend existing resources for school districts to improve transition planning for all students with disabilities in Washington State
- To minimize gaps in transition services from school to post-school life for students with disabilities
- To develop recommendations to support students with disabilities and their families, stakeholders, and service providers in successfully navigating the transition process in Washington State
