Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council

06/01/2026

Sharing for Washington State DSHS: Help shape the future of IDD services in Washington state.

A new 10-year plan is being developed, and community members are invited to vote on the name. The plan will help guide the future of intellectual and developmental disability services in Washington.

Vote for your favorite name option by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting: https://forms.office.com/g/ScbygRBGJ1

View or download the flyer PDF at:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:426df0f4-c31a-4cf2-bf44-289938193edc

06/01/2026

Sharing from NCLD:

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰?
Students with learning disabilities have big goals for their futures — and programs like Vocational Rehabilitation and Pre-Employment Transition Services can help them get there.

𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐃’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 highlights how these services support the transition to college and the workforce — but awareness and access remain major barriers.
Together, we can change that!

Read the report and learn how we can ensure more young people get the support they deserve: https://ncld.co/42WmbgD

05/31/2026

The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities shared a new bulletin on how immigration enforcement can affect people with disabilities, families and the disability service system.

The article discusses how fear, uncertainty and misinformation can keep families from accessing needed services, and how organizations can respond by building trust, protecting confidentiality and providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed support.

Read the bulletin:https://www.natleadership.org/bulletin/2026-iss18.pdf

05/30/2026

There’s still time to share your voice!

The DD Council wants to hear from you about the 2027-2031 5-Year State Plan. Your ideas, experiences and feedback help shape the work ahead.

Public comment is open through Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Learn more and give comment: www.ddc.wa.gov/2026-public-comment

05/29/2026

The DD Council is now accepting proposals for the Legislative Engagement, Information & Tools (LEIT) program.

This two-year project will support community-led advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families across Washington state. The goal is to help strengthen voices in public policy, protect rights, improve access to services, and support culturally responsive, community-driven systems.

Proposals are due Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 4:59 p.m.

Learn more and find application information here:

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council is now accepting proposals for the Legislative Engagement, Information & Tools (LEIT) program.

05/28/2026

Washington State DSHS shared information about an upcoming HCA webinar on how House Resolution 1 may impact Apple Health (Medicaid) eligibility for non-citizens in Washington state.

This webinar may be helpful for navigator organizations, community partners and anyone who assists people with Apple Health applications.

Webinar details:
June 4, 2026
10 to 11 a.m.
No registration required

Live captioning will be available. CART services may also be requested through the HCA Apple Health Eligibility and Policy inbox.

Learn more and join the webinar: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADSHSALTSA/bulletins/419393f

05/27/2026

The Community Summit Attendee Hub & App are now LIVE!

If you’re already registered, check your email for a magic link that will automatically log you in and get you started exploring sessions, presenters, resources, and connecting with other attendees.

You can also access the Attendee Hub here: https://cvent.me/nLv82Y

Not registered yet? Don’t worry, there’s still time to join us! Register today and be part of the experience. https://cvent.me/7owWyW

[ID: hand holding a phone with the Attendee Hub showing in the screen. Text in orange reads “The Attendee Hub is now live”.]

05/27/2026

Your future starts with your vision—what do you want your life to look like? This training helps you explore your goals, discover your interests, and see how postsecondary education (PSE) can turn your plans for work, independence, and a happy life into reality.

Join session 2 of the ISPE Training Series next Monday, June 1st from 6-7pm via Zoom.

In this training, you will learn:
- Tools to help you describe your career interests
- Tools to help you plan what you want in adult life, including health, independence, fun, work, and learning
- Ways PSE can support your vision for a happy, healthy future

Register today: https://iod.unh.edu/event/2026/05/inclusive-postsecondary-education-ipse-family-training-series

05/27/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental health is an important part of workplace inclusion. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities may also experience mental health conditions, and the right workplace supports can help people succeed at work.

The ADA National Network’s fact sheet on Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace and the ADA includes information about common myths and misconceptions, disclosing a psychiatric disability, job accommodations, and more.

Learn more:

Psychiatric disabilities have a unique dynamic in the workplace because they are both very common and very misunderstood. The purpose of this brief is to inform employers, job applicants and employees about: