The Arc of King County

The Arc of King County For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1936. We have the right to decide what is tangible, spam, or otherwise not acceptable.

People with developmental disabilities and their families need varying levels of services throughout their lives. Our services are developed to meet those needs by providing sufficient support and advocacy while also promoting autonomy and independence. In order to be successful, we rely on volunteers who donate time and talents, community partners who educate others about our services and the fou

ndations and individual members who give financial gifts. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with funding from private contributions, foundations, and government contracts. We are a local chapter of The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Washington.
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RULES FOR COMMUNITY USE AND PARTICIPATION OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM:

We reserve the right to remove comments and restrict or ban users when our rules of community use and participation have been violated.

- Use common courtesy and be respectful of others; assume positive intent

- Submit your own original contact and avoid content that you know to be fraudulent

- Do not post someone else's copyrighted or intellectual property unless you have permission

- Never post confidential information

- Do not use this platform to communicate or post any content which is abusive, offensive, harassing, illegal, defamatory, libelous or hostile towards any individual or entity

- Do not solicit business or membership or financial support for another business or your own private business or promote or advertise a commercial product

- Do not post comments under multiple names or using another person's name

We always reserve the right to remove posts and comments that do not fit with our community

We reserve the right to refuse, remove, or block anyone from any part of our communications platform. Additionally, we reserve the right to decide who to share information with. Should someone use The Arc name or communications, including social media, to harass others or to distribute false or misleading information, we reserve the right to exclude those responsible from our communications platform or distribution lists. The Arc of King County's media activities serve 4 main functions:
1. Education and discussion of disability issues
2. Civic engagement and advocacy communications
3. Marketing for our program events
4. Fundraising

Our communications align with The Arc - United States position statements (https://thearc.org/position-statements/) and with the Guiding Values of Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disability Administration

We support and value the views of traditionally marginalized voices, including but not limited to people with disabilities, Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) folks; lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) folks; immigrants and refugees; and English language learners

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) make independent living possible for people with disabilities. They provide essentia...
09/04/2026

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) make independent living possible for people with disabilities. They provide essential support with daily activities, helping people stay connected to their communities, families, and the lives they choose.

But too many DSPs are leaving the workforce, often because of low wages. When a DSP leaves, individuals lose the consistent support they depend on every day.

Congress can help by passing the bipartisan Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, which would establish a federal classification for DSPs and provide the data needed to address workforce shortages.

If this matters to you, take action today! Share what DSPs mean to you or someone you care about.

Send a message now: https://bit.ly/SupportDSPs



Self Advocates In Leadership
People First of Washington
PROVAIL

Hope you will join us at this community event hosted by And Still We Rise for learning, resources, and community connect...
09/04/2026

Hope you will join us at this community event hosted by And Still We Rise for learning, resources, and community connection! The Arc of King County will be presenting on selected topics. Stop by and say hello!

September 12-13, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Talley High School in Seattle

Please share out this 2-Day Community Event! 🎉

Join And Still We Rise and community partners for "Together We Thrive: A Community Weekend of Learning, Connection, and Inclusion"

September 12 & 13 | 10 AM – 5 PM
at Talley High School, 7800 S 132nd St, Seattle, 98178

This free 2-day event is for families, students, educators, and community members! Explore practical tools and resources around student belonging, family advocacy, wellness, inclusive education, and stronger school-community connections.

What to expect:
• Family learning sessions
• Wellness resources
• Educator professional learning
• Community partner tables
• Student activities & outdoor recreation
• Food and community connection

💰 PLUS — win up to $3,500 in cash prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize! Free to enter, no purchase necessary, must be present to win.

Register now: bit.ly/wethrive2026

We can't wait to see you there!

TODAY AT NOON! Join us for this three-part webinar series that explores how disability history still shapes the way we t...
09/03/2026

TODAY AT NOON! Join us for this three-part webinar series that explores how disability history still shapes the way we think about disability and the policies and practices we use today.

✅️ Click to register: https://bit.ly/DisabilityHistoryWebinar

👉️ September 3, 12:00 - 1:00 PM: What We Talk About When We Talk About Developmental Disability by Dr. Elizabeth Maher

This presentation looks at how disabilities as diverse as Down syndrome, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy came to be grouped together as developmental disabilities. It explains how the idea of "development" became an important way of understanding disability and shows how ideas about race, gender, and class helped shape this category.

PD hours available for educators: https://www.pdenroller.org/ospi/catalog/207238

For many students and families across King County, the start of a new school year brings a mix of feelings, from excitem...
09/03/2026

For many students and families across King County, the start of a new school year brings a mix of feelings, from excitement and anticipation to nervousness and apprehension. Whatever this transition looks like for you, a little preparation and the right support can help make the start of the school year feel more manageable.

To help you and your student prepare and ease into the new school year, here are a few helpful resources:

• The Arc of King County Resource Guide, Special Education: https://bit.ly/SpecialEducationResourceList

• A Parent's Guide to Inclusive Learning: https://bit.ly/GuideToInclusiveLearning

• Navigating Schools Webinar Recordings (English and some Spanish): https://bit.ly/NavigatingSchoolsWebinars

• All About Me resource page introducing students to their teachers: https://bit.ly/AllAboutMeResource

We’re sending our very best wishes to all the students, families, caregivers, teachers, school staff, and educators across King County. Here’s to a new year of learning, growth, connection, and continuing to work together to build a community where every student has the opportunity to thrive!

Seattle Special Education PTSA Seattle Council PTSA Newport High School PTSA Bellevue PTSA Council Northshore Special Education Community PTSA Highline Special Needs Parent Teacher Association Shoreline Special Education PTSA Issaquah Special Education PTSA Snoqualmie Valley PTSA Special Education and Disabilities - SED Committee

Join our Navigating IDD: Understanding Special Education Student Rights NEXT WEDNESDAY, the 9th, from 7pm to 8:30pm via ...
09/02/2026

Join our Navigating IDD: Understanding Special Education Student Rights NEXT WEDNESDAY, the 9th, from 7pm to 8:30pm via Zoom!
This webinar provides parents and caregivers with an overview of special education rights for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Topics include IEPs, accommodations, evaluations, related services, and family participation. Participants will gain practical knowledge to better understand the special education process and advocate for students’ needs and rights.
To join: https://bit.ly/4pZ3jbc
Passcode: TheArc!
Questions: Contact Jae Kim at [email protected]

Coffee and Conversations A Virtual Support Group for Parents and CaregiversJoin us for a welcoming space to connect with...
09/02/2026

Coffee and Conversations
A Virtual Support Group for Parents and Caregivers
Join us for a welcoming space to connect with other caregivers, share experiences, reflect, manage stress, and learn simple mindfulness practices you can use in everyday life.
Please note: Children are welcome to briefly pop in and out, but we encourage caregivers to arrange childcare whenever possible so they can fully participate in the group.
Day Group: 2nd and 4th Thursdays |12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83646606700?pwd=Zrasz1pgAAwUWT41xifMDWS3oQrQIp.1
Evening Group: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82973699982?pwd=3UikMBREMcuRWpRtvQIVYGgf5nrQLi.1
QUESTIONS? Please contact: [email protected]

Think college!
09/01/2026

Think college!

College can be an option after high school for students with intellectual disability—and there are hundreds of programs across the country to explore!

Join Think College National Coordinating Center presenters Clare Papay and Danie Roberts-Dahm for the free RAISE Center webinar “Beyond High School: Inclusive Postsecondary Education Options and How Students Can Prepare” on September 21 at 11 a.m. PT. via Zoom.

They’ll explore postsecondary options, what students can do to prepare, and how professionals can support transition-age youth as they explore college and build the skills they need for a successful college experience.

ASL and Spanish interpretation will be available!

Learn more and register today: https://spanadvocacy-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bECD0FMQQT-xNx3021W3fw

🚨TONIGHT! State Disability Forum, Monday, August 31 · 6:00 - 7:30 PMRegister to attend: https://bit.ly/StateForum2026Wha...
08/31/2026

🚨TONIGHT! State Disability Forum, Monday, August 31 · 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Register to attend: https://bit.ly/StateForum2026

What supports, investments, and protections do you need? Join us for an important conversation.

Disability is at the center of federal shifts in health, education, and human services. And we are staring down cuts here in Washington state. Join us for a disability community discussion with King County state and federal candidates and policy makers.

Don't miss this chance to make your voice heard and be part of creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all!

Spanish language interpretation available.

Special Needs Financial PlanningMonday, September 21, 2026, 7:00pm- 8:00pmMary McDirmid will be joining The Arc of King ...
08/31/2026

Special Needs Financial Planning
Monday, September 21, 2026, 7:00pm- 8:00pm
Mary McDirmid will be joining The Arc of King County for an amazing, informative session regarding financial planning for your loved one with IDD.
Mary takes a holistic approach to planning by considering the needs of your entire family. RSVP below and take advantage of the information and knowledge Mary brings to this presentation.
This virtual session is for families with loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XogLZoaKSBq5wSHQ-l8PJQ #/registration

Last year, Seattle Public Schools had 707 students in LRE 3, the most segregated in-district placement for students with...
08/31/2026

Last year, Seattle Public Schools had 707 students in LRE 3, the most segregated in-district placement for students with disabilities. Of those students, 38% were Black.

"LRE" is short for least restricted environment. LRE 1 is a lot of time (80%) in general education. LRE 2 is some (40% to 79%). LRE 3 is none-to-hardly (0 to 39%).

“Special education” is a collection of services, not a place. But for Black students with disabilities, it often means a place. And that is NOT with peers in the general education setting.

A request is going around asking community members to weigh in on negotiations between Seattle Public Schools and its unions. The request is specific to special education settings.

We don’t have a position on how Seattle should organize its staffing other than it needs to be sufficient to uphold student rights to least restricted environment and all staff should understand and use inclusive practices.

And that involves more than ratios. It means sufficient staffing – including OT/PT/SLP therapists, psychologists, and other professionals needed to provide special education services – AND focused work to end exclusionary practices.

When we design and resource to be accessible and inclusive, all students thrive.

Given the huge disproportionality of who is most segregated and excluded, we hope Seattle Public Schools addresses the issue with urgency.

Black students making up 38% of the most segregated placement – when they are just 15% of the student body – is incredibly problematic. It is an indication that unfounded fear and racial bias influence decisions around placement in Seattle schools.

Students should not be removed from peers because it is convenient for the staffing model. Nor should spending more time in general education mean losing access to support.

In our graphic, we break down the percentage of Black students in LRE 1, 2, and 3 in Seattle Public Schools. The data comes from the state’s Inclusionary Practices Technical Network. The IPTN supports school districts to dismantle exclusionary practices, focusing on Black students with disabilities and students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Arc of King County is an IPTN member and provides assistance to families and schools. You can learn more about inclusionary practices here: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/support-programs/inclusionary-practices

You can access resources we created for the IPTN here: https://www.arcofkingcounty.org/advocacy/supporting-inclusionary-practices-in-schools
The Arc - Washington State Seattle Public Schools Washington Education Association Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Seattle Special Education PTSA Seattle Council PTSA Southeast Seattle Education Coalition

Address

2650 S 200th Street, Suite 101
Renton, WA
98198

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+12063646337

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