Advocacy Tools & Organizations

Video on warning signs of abuse as well as how to report it.

Want to advocate, but don’t know where to start? Do you wish you knew how to make your voice heard? Have you got just a few minutes? Watch this short video to get started.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. The disability community fought hard to get the ADA passed into law, and we continue to fight hard to protect it.

The Accessible Community Advisory Committees (ACAC) Act was promoted by the Legislature to help communities be more welcoming and inclusive for persons with disabilities and to promote and provide equal access to the opportunities available to others.

Mission: Promoting and defending the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Advocates for quality services and funding to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Local chapters provide support, information and referral.

Advocacy Days, part of The Arc’s Advocacy Partnership Project, are held during each legislative session to involve individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), their families and their service providers in the legislative process, giving them opportunities to make their voices heard by their legislators and to have an impact on policy and budget legislation that affects the services and supports available to them. To make the meetings more accessible to people all around the state, we have moved to a virtual platform on Zoom.

A national organization that focuses exclusively on inclusive employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The Case for Inclusion 2023 offers new data assessing how well state programs are supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus a policy blueprint with concrete actions lawmakers at all levels of government can take to strengthen access to home- and community-based services.

The Office of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds (DD Ombuds) is a private, independent office focused on improving the lives of persons with developmental disabilities in Washington State. DD Ombuds activities include: Provide information, Investigate complaints, Monitor procedures, Review facilities and residences, Conduct investigations, Recommend changes, Write reports.

PAVE provides support, training, information and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth and families impacted by disabilities.

Sometimes the hardest part of advocacy is figuring out what to do next. When a child has unmet needs at school, family advocates can seek changes to a student’s services by asking for an evaluation, a meeting, a behavioral assessment, or something else. Putting any request in writing formalizes the process and holds everyone accountable.

Statewide self-advocacy organization run by and for individuals with developmental and other disabilities.

In a constantly changing world with exterior forces that seem to pull us apart, the concepts of inclusivity and offense are being brought more into the light. It's more important than ever to be kind, show respect, and treat people how we want to be treated, particularly in the world of differently-abled people.

Information, policy advocacy, and projects to foster better service provision for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

Disability Rights Washington is a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. We work to pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights.

Civil legal assistance and representation to low income people in situations affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education, and other basic needs.

Provides information about legal issues and where to find legal help for low income individuals.

Equality. Opportunity. Independence. We envision a world in which people with disabilities truly belong

Get answers to legal questions, sample forms, and information about the courts, lawyers and social service organizations that provide services related to Disability Law.