Council Activities

Community Advocacy Coalition (CAC)

For Developmental Disabilities
The Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities' Many Voice/One Vision logo depicting a white background with a stylized drawing of an outline of a diverse group of people holding hands. A top banner above the people reads, "Many Voices/One Vision". A banner below the people reads, "The Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities".

Contact the CAC

Email the CACInterested in joining? Fill out our Interest Form

On this page:

CAC Mission and Core ValuesCAC MembershipCAC MeetingsLeadership and Decision MakingOrigins of the CAC
The CAC Moving ForwardCAC Members Page

CAC Mission and Core Values

A colorful graphic recording titled "CAC for I/DD – Core Values and Beliefs" outlines the principles guiding the Community Advocacy Coalition's work, emphasizing equity and social justice. The diagram is organized with bubbles, arrows, and illustrations representing key values and beliefs. Central Message: "Individuals with I/DD have the right to full and meaningful lives!" The visual features two individuals in a speech bubble, symbolizing inclusion and representation. Core Values: Choice: Rights to self-determination, inclusion in decision-making, and the principle "nothing about us without us." Person-Centered: Focus on personalized programs, services, education, health, and wellness. Education: Access to early intervention, child care, early childhood education, and inclusive education. Housing: Rights to choose where to live, affordable and accessible options, and independent living. Respect: Emphasis on caring support, inclusivity, safety, respectful language, and freedom from abuse. Accessibility: Universal design, technology (e.g., captions), and accessible buildings, services, and transportation. Employment: Access to financial decision-making, careers, and fair opportunities. Parenthood: Retaining legal rights and access to child supports. Funding: Medicaid as a critical resource. Communities Support: "Individuals, families, and caregivers have the right to support individuals with I/DD" from birth to death. Access to Support: Essential services, resources, and respite care. Professionals: Advocates for fair wages and professional development for paid providers. At the bottom, smiling individuals holding hands symbolize unity, with the text "We provide essential key services." A leafy vine weaves through the graphic, connecting ideas and symbolizing growth. Small icons, doodles, and the date "2024-07-01" enhance the visual message.
CAC Values and Beliefs Graphic, Click to Enlarge
The Community Advocacy Coalition (CAC) is a grassroots coalition for Developmental Disabilities that provides a platform for advocacy organizations to share information, educate one another on issues of mutual concern, and coordinate their legislative agendas to give people with disabilities a stronger voice in government affairs. The CAC accomplishes this task by advocating with a common voice for meaningful community living at the state and local levels.
The CAC is guided by the core values in the Many Voices/One Vision document, including the right to make decisions, family support, fairness, safety, access to programs and services, good jobs, inclusive education, housing, and support for parents with IDD. These values shape the CAC’s work to make sure people with IDD are respected, included, and empowered in every part of life.
Many Voices/One Vision Document

CAC Membership

A colorful illustrated diagram titled "Our Commitment to Collaboration," highlighting the Community Advocacy Coalition's (CAC) efforts and goals. At the center, a house-like structure represents the "Five Bold Commitments," emphasizing core actions for collaboration: Commit to reaching out to others. Make teams, timelines, and goals. Include topics in meetings. Ensure everyone's needs are heard and addressed. Reach out to volunteers and follow up. Sticky-note-style visuals within the house list commitments like "common language," "take action," and "make progress together." Above the house, a rising sun labeled "Vision" connects to thought bubbles outlining priorities: Plain language. Welcoming and onboarding new voices in advocacy. Accessible communication and documents. Mediation and handling disagreements. Common language for legislators. Intentional listening and understanding impact. The landscape includes rolling green hills, labeled "Supports" on the left and "Challenges" on the right, symbolizing the balance between overcoming obstacles and leveraging resources. The scene is framed with soft blue clouds and a warm, inviting tone, reinforcing the theme of collaboration. The bottom mentions the diagram's foundation on values and purpose.
CAC Commitment to Collaboration Graphic, Click to Enlarge

The CAC membership consists of any community-based organization that is a nonprofit 501c3, a private business, a chapter of a statewide nonprofit organization, or a governmental association, council, coalition, board or commission that have a primary focus to support, serve and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. The CAC is comprised of over 50 different member organizations who agree to support the core values of the CAC and agree to abide by the group's responsibilities/rules.

CAC Member Organizations List

CAC Meetings

A group photo of members of the CAC along with other advocates standing together in a conference room with a table and chairs in front of them. The CAC logo is in the bottom right hand corner.

The Community Advocacy Coalition (the CAC) holds monthly meetings. These meetings allow member organizations to share updates, discuss important topics, and collaborate on issues that affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Washington State.

Leadership and Decision Making

The CAC is led by two co-chairs chosen from among the member organizations. Co-chairs serve for two years, with terms set to end in different years, and they come from separate organizations. Decisions in the CAC are made by majority vote, with each member organization having one vote. While the CAC discusses proposed legislation and shares input, it does not control any member organization’s priorities. Instead, member organizations share their ideas with the group to build understanding and support.

The Origins of the CAC

The Community Advocacy Coalition (CAC) began with a focus on legislative advocacy, self-advocacy, and empowering individuals within their communities. The coalition brought together people with diverse perspectives who shared a desire to make a positive impact and give a voice to those often overlooked. CAC's power lies in its unity and whole-system approach, which allows it to address a range of community needs even when members may not always agree. Through collaboration and a commitment to building on each other's strengths, the coalition has made significant progress toward its goals. The importance of communication, self-advocacy, and a united front are central to CAC’s origins.

A colorful graphic recording titled "The Origins and Current State of CAC" illustrates the development, goals, and vision of the Community Advocacy Coalition. The diagram is organized into overlapping circles with handwritten notes, doodles, and illustrations representing key themes. The Origins of the CAC (red circle): Focuses on advocacy efforts, legislative advocacy, self-advocacy, and community priorities. Doodles include stair steps labeled "needs and how to prioritize" and a person saying, "I want to be a taxpayer!" The Power of the Coalition (orange circle): Emphasizes progress, collaboration, and the challenges of uniting diverse voices. Text highlights a "whole system approach," the importance of compromise, and working together effectively. We Are the Community (blue circle): Details community needs like plain language, slowing down processes, and accessibility guidelines. Visuals include Capitol imagery and speech bubbles addressing communication with legislators. Changes We Want to Make (green circle): Focuses on strengthening the coalition through onboarding, diversity in advocates, improved accessibility, and fostering new voices in advocacy. Includes arrows, leaves, and keywords like "mediation" and "reduced disengagement." The Big Picture (purple circle): Reflects an optimistic outlook with words like "enthusiastic," "hopeful," "grateful," and "connected." Themes of re-energization, unity, and appreciation are emphasized. At the bottom, roots and leaves symbolize growth, with values like "dissatisfaction" and "vision" leading to "first steps."
The Origins and Current State of the CAC Graphic, Click to Enlarge

The CAC Moving Forward

Moving forward, the CAC will keep working to make life better for people with IDD. The CAC will bring organizations together to share ideas, solve problems, and speak up for fair policies. The group will focus on making sure everyone has access to the resources and support they need to live, work, and take part in their communities. By working as a team, CAC will push for changes that help people with IDD and their families live full and meaningful lives.

Contact the CAC

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Mailing Address: 
PO Box 48314
Olympia, WA 98504-8314

Physical Address:
2600 Martin Way E, Ste F
Olympia, WA 98506

Email: info@ddc.wa.gov

Main reception: (360) 586-3560