Advocating for Change

Advocacy is central to our mission. A big part of our work is to challenge ableism and stereotypes, protect the rights of disabled people and champion reforms at every level. 

We work with individuals to protect their rights and empower them to advocate for the resources they need. 

We also work at the systems level to advance civil rights and equal access for all people with disabilities on the local, state and national levels. 

For the latest news on our advocacy work, read our blog.

Advocacy Wins

Our staff and volunteers have worked hard during the past several years to ensure the health and well-being of people with disabilities is being considered in public policy making. Here are some of our recent accomplishments that support that work:

  • Advocated for “disability” to be named in King County’s Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan and assisted in drafting its Office of Equity and Social Justice’s Disability Action Plan

  • Co-supported grant application for Seattle/King County Public Health to hire an ADA coordinator to address disability access in its COVID pandemic response–which now includes four positions at the county to support disability work

  • Partnered with King County to establish Disability Pride Day annually on July 26

  • Advised King County through a series of focus groups on barriers to transportation for people with disabilities

  • Hosted accessible COVID vaccine clinics designed for people with disabilities and seniors at several different partner locations in King County

  • Served on National SEIU 775 Board and partnered with local SEIU 775, a labor union that advocates for caregivers, to teach independent living philosophy

  • Did outreach at food banks, day centers and homeless shelters to reach people with services during the pandemic primarily in resource-limited South King County

  • Partnered with the Salvation Army and Seattle Indian Center to provide hygiene kits and resources to vulnerable people with disabilities

  • Helped people with disabilities file their taxes so they could access pandemic-related emergency funds

  • Spoke at national Association of Successful Parenting Conference to share life experiences as parents with a disabilities

  • Presented a workshop titled “Gratitude: A Practice for Building Resilience” at 2021 Peers Empowering Peers Conference

  • Hosted new peer-to-peer support group on the topic of resilience during the pandemic

  • Presented a well-attended Understanding Ableism free monthly webinar series to educate community members and government decision-makers

Our Advocacy Partners

We are a founding member of the King County Disability Consortium, a coalition of individuals and organizations working to confront inequity and drive systemic change for the disability community. Learn more about KCDC on its website.