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Ivanova Smith Expands Accessible Disability Rights Videos
Ivanova Smith, a University of Washington LEND alum and longtime self advocate leader, is helping make information about disability rights more accessible across Washington State through a new video series developed with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Smith currently serves as Community Collaborations Program Manager with the Developmental Disability Community Services, formerly the Developmental Disability Administration. In this role, she works to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are included in conversations about the services and policies that affect their lives.
“I help make sure we are listening to the people we serve,” Smith said.
Smith often facilitates meetings that bring together individuals with disabilities, families, service providers, and state leaders. These conversations help gather feedback, strengthen collaboration, and ensure that programs better reflect the needs of the community.
Making disability rights easier to understand
One project Smith is especially excited about is a new DSHS video series focused on disability rights.
The series explores different rights by interviewing people with disabilities about what those rights mean to them and how they advocate for those rights in their everyday lives.
“We wanted to make something that wasn’t another bureaucratic report,” Smith said. “We wanted something visual and accessible that people could see on social media.”
The videos highlight the voices and experiences of people with disabilities and make information easier to understand through storytelling and visuals.
Smith also hopes the videos help others see themselves as leaders.
“It’s important for people to see someone like them doing this work,” she said. “You can be in my position one day.”
DSHS disability rights video series
Ivanova Smith Expands Accessible Disability Rights Videos
Ivanova Smith, a University of Washington LEND alum and longtime self advocate leader, is helping make information about disability rights more accessible across Washington State through a new video series developed with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Smith currently serves as Community Collaborations Program Manager with the Developmental Disability Community Services, formerly the Developmental Disability Administration. In this role, she works to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are included in conversations about the services and policies that affect their lives.
“I help make sure we are listening to the people we serve,” Smith said.
Smith often facilitates meetings that bring together individuals with disabilities, families, service providers, and state leaders. These conversations help gather feedback, strengthen collaboration, and ensure that programs better reflect the needs of the community.
Making disability rights easier to understand
One project Smith is especially excited about is a new DSHS video series focused on disability rights.
The series explores different rights by interviewing people with disabilities about what those rights mean to them and how they advocate for those rights in their everyday lives.
“We wanted to make something that wasn’t another bureaucratic report,” Smith said. “We wanted something visual and accessible that people could see on social media.”
The videos highlight the voices and experiences of people with disabilities and make information easier to understand through storytelling and visuals.
Smith also hopes the videos help others see themselves as leaders.
“It’s important for people to see someone like them doing this work,” she said. “You can be in my position one day.”
DSHS disability rights video series
Supporting collaboration across communities
In her role at DDA, Smith also helps connect people and organizations across Washington.
She works with community groups and partners, including organizations such as Special Olympics Washington, to help people build networks and find opportunities related to employment, services, and community engagement.
Smith has also helped create a community collaboration manual that streamlines information for partners working across systems. The guide includes instructions for collaboration and lists of community contacts designed to help people connect more easily.
Advancing Nothing About Us Without Us
Smith has also helped support the implementation of Washington State’s Nothing About Us Without Us law, which promotes meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in policymaking and advisory groups.
As part of this work, she has helped develop training about the law and assists with outreach to ensure people with disabilities are invited to participate in these conversations.
She also works to raise awareness about the harm caused by outdated ideas such as mental age theory and advocates for recognizing the full lives and contributions of people with disabilities.
“We have full lives and want to be supported in our full lives.” Smith said.
Continuing her connection with UW LEND
Smith’s work today builds on her long connection with the University of Washington LEND program. An earlier IHDD story highlighted her decade of leadership and advocacy as a trainee, faculty member, and mentor in the program.
Through LEND, Smith developed interdisciplinary collaboration and networking skills that continue to shape her work today.
“LEND helped me understand how to connect with people across different fields and different roles,” Smith said.
As she continues her work at DSHS, Smith remains focused on strengthening partnerships, increasing accessibility, and supporting the next generation of self advocate leaders.
