Community Disability Policy Initiative

Contact: Mark Harniss (mharniss@uw.edu)
Core Function: Technical Assistance and Outreach Training

The primary role of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is to make public policy recommendations to the Governor and state policy makers on issues of importance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. The Council is comprised of 27 members appointed by the Governor, at least 60 percent of whom must be individuals with IDD, parents or other family members, or guardians. Also serving on the Council are representatives of service providers and principal state agencies that provide funding to or services for individuals with IDD, and the state Protection and Advocacy organization, Disability Rights Washington (DRW), and the UCEDD.

The Washington State DDC meets four times a year in rotating locations around the state with additional meetings as necessary. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the DDC to meet via the Zoom platform but the meetings transitioned to a hybrid model during the last quarter of 2021. During 2021 the focus of the DDC was on the development of the recently completed new five-year state plan for 2022-2026 which sets the priorities for Council activities.

The UCEDD and the DDC collaborate to identify and work on issues facing individuals with IDD. These issues are addressed through policy recommendations as appropriate as well as through advocating for further research, training, and services. In addition, the UCEDD, DDC and DRW (AIDD network partners) have committed to the ongoing support of the Allies in Advocacy to become a fourth AIDD network partner. Additional long term collaborative activities include parents with developmental disabilities, access to and use of technology, criminal justice reform within the Department of Corrections and Juvenile Rehabilitation, and strengthening the advocacy partnership with state agencies in Washington State. An example of increasing partnerships with agencies has been current efforts with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), and the Washington State Independent Living Centers (SILCs) to increase access to Covid-19 vaccines, in collaboration with the AIDD Network Partners. All these collaborations support UCEDD’s mission to work on systems change through collaborating with individuals with IDD and advocacy groups.

Contact: Mark Harniss (mharniss@uw.edu)
Core Function: Technical Assistance and Outreach Training

The UCEDD Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) was established to provide a vital level of input to the UCEDD to guide the direction of the center and to inform the community of our outreach activities. The CAC members meet three times a year to advise on strategies and provide feedback to the UCEDD on services, training, and policies that are needed to support people with developmental disabilities and their families. The CAC is comprised of self-advocates, family members of children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and directors from the UCEDD, Disability Rights Washington, the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, and Allies in Advocacy. Additional members include state agencies and community advocacy organizations.

The majority of Council members are individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities or family members. This composition ensures that the perspectives of these communities are heard and that major initiatives of the UCEDD are responsive to the needs of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. CAC members act as a sounding board for UCEDD faculty and staff members when new programs are developed and existing programs are up for renewal. CAC members also identify issues for UCEDD outreach efforts, such as inclusion, diversity, siblings, pre-service connections for health care providers, health promotion for adults and elders, criminal justice, teaching behavioral skills to providers, training school district staff on positive supports, housing, and creating inclusive communities. Currently, the CAC has created two committees on topics of current importance. The first is on developing post-secondary educational opportunities at the University of Washington. The second committee has been formed to develop a UCEDD plan of action on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).