Disability Empowerment Center

09/04/2026

Happy Friday!

Just a heads up that our office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday. We'll be back on Tuesday.

Have a safe long weekend!

09/03/2026

Here's a little update on the impact you are helping us make.

In the past year, participants in our programs have…
- Graduated from Seattle Central College
- Moved to a new affordable apartment and now living independently there
- Started their own business
- Applied for utility assistance for his new apartment
- Got help from a pro bono attorney for an unsafe living environment
- Successfully rode the Access bus for the first time
- Got a new job driving people who need transportation help to their appointments
- Started working with a job coach
- Got her first email account
- Secured an in-person appointment for state services
- Signed up for Medicare
- Learned how to use assistive technology
- Got access to a laptop to create a resume and search for employment
- Got hired as an admin assistant at a school

Learn more about what we do: disabilityempowerment.org/our-programs

09/02/2026

📢 Attention all D/deaf, and hard-of-hearing (DHH) adults in Washington!

A Doctor of Audiology student at Central Michigan University is conducting an IRB-approved research study on the healthcare experiences of DHH adults—specifically communication barriers and accommodations during healthcare visits.

🔹 Takes about 15-20 minutes
🔹 Anonymous
🔹 You're not required to use a hearing device to participate.
🔹 Your responses could help shape a nationally published study

Your participation will have an incredible impact. Take the survey: https://bit.ly/3QFfCMZ

📎 Flyer with more details below.

Image description: Research participant flyer with illustration of two figures communication in sign language, a graph and text on the details and requirements to participate in a study for Central Michigan University, including a QR code and contact information.

08/25/2026

Save the date for this upcoming October event!

Our staff member Lucy will be interviewing renowned author Avra Wing at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.

Avra is the author of the new memoir Stride: How I Walked Away from Trauma Toward Healing that tells her story following a sudden, life-altering injury. She is also the author of Angie, which was adapted into a feature film starring Geena Davis and James Gandolfini. She has led writing workshops for people with disabilities since 2009 and is a passionate advocate for creative expression as a path to healing.

Avra Wing in conversation with Lucy Bert
Monday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
Third Place Lake Forest Park

Learn more, RSVP or pre-order your copy:
thirdplacebooks.com/event/avra-wing

08/20/2026

We were out at the Redmond Library earlier this week meeting community members and sharing resources.

We love our partnership with King County Library System for helping us meet people with disabilities in their own neighborhoods and favorite spaces!

08/19/2026

Save the dates!

Fantastic way to learn about candidates who are up for election this fall and how they plan to support the disability community.

Hosted by The Arc of King County

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.

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

State Disability Forum
Monday, August 31 · 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Registration: https://bit.ly/StateForum2026

Federal Disability Forum
Tuesday, September 15 · 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Registration: https://bit.ly/FederalForum2026

Both meetings will be virtual. For more information or to request accommodations, please contact: Pam Phillips at [email protected].

08/19/2026

Heads up!

All three of our offices will be closed next week Aug. 24-28 for a staff training.

If you are in crisis, please call the 24-hour crisis line: 866-427-4747.

We will be back on Monday, Aug. 31.

08/13/2026

Love popular culture but don't love the lack of representation of disabled folks?

Let's dive into this topic together in our next Understanding Ableism webinar!

Pop culture shapes how we view the world, yet disability representation on screen is often reduced to harmful tropes, tragic storylines or "the miraculous cure." Join us to discuss the impact of these media stereotypes, highlighting the need to move toward authentic, disabled-led storytelling.

Tuesday, August 18
10:30 a.m. - noon (Pacific Time)
Virtual via Zoom.

RSVP here to receive the link: disabilityempowerment.org/events

Sign language interpretation and CART will be provided.

08/12/2026

If you missed our July Understanding Ableism webinar, it was a fantastic conversation about... Disability and the Outdoors!

Read the recap:
disabilityempowerment.org/blog/recap-disability-and-the-outdoors-webinar

Listen to or watch the webinar any time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPgdsZNgvcQ&feature=youtu.be

08/11/2026

What’s a “Get Home” bag?

Tia, our AmeriCorps Emergency Management Coordinator, literally unpacks this topic for you in a short video.

You’ll learn the difference between a "Go" bag and a "Get Home" bag. She'll also cover what you should have in your "Get Home" bag in case of an emergency when you are at the office, school or any other location away from home.

Watch or listen to the short video: