2021 Advocacy Support  
This year, the state legislative session will be held remotely. This means advocacy days and public hearings will be online, as will meetings with state legislators.

The Arc of King County is here to support to you. Our community advocacy coordinator can offer one-on-one support. Our King County Parent and Family Coalition will offer weekly briefings on Monday evenings, and our Community Change Champions will be organizing weekly chats for people interested in forming a peer group to learn about proposed legislation and support each other in advocacy.

Looking for individual advocacy support? Please contact Eric Warwick, our community advocacy coordinator, at ewarwick@arcofkingcounty.org

Register for weekly legislative briefings with the King County Parent and Family Coalition here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqfu-gpz8sHtbFDoH7zl-UFQwep4v8MrWS. They run January 25 to  April 12.

Join Advocacy in Motion, a meet-up for people with disabilities to support each other in advocacy and a project of our Community Change Champions program. Email Eric Matthes at ematthes@arcofkingcounty.org

Following is a list of advocacy days you may be interested in. They include weekly themed events hosted by The Arc of Washington and the state Developmental Disabilities Council, as well as days organized by Investing in Student Potential (K-12 education) and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, two coalitions we advocate with.

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40th Annual Statewide Disability Legislative Reception. Wednesday, January 27, 5:30 to 7 pm. "Zooming in on Disability: Funding and 40 Years of Advocacy." Registration required. You will be emailed a Zoom link once you are registered. To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PxMIcL6BRnaOXygD8ZJfjQ
Wednesday, January 27 legislative briefing and session preview. This will prepare you for the legislative reception that evening. 2 pm to 3:30 pm via Zoom. Zoom link will be posted here: https://arcwa.org/advocacy/advocacy-days
Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Days,  February 8 to 12. Register here: https://housingalliance.salsalabs.org/hhad2021/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=5c7a19df-2a0f-4538-96e6-03b0c713d366 ... ABOUT: All Washington residents must have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, affordable homes in thriving communities. This event is organized by the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, https://studentpotential.org/
Community Residential Advocacy Day, Wednesday, February 3. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oduusqj4sGdERbaf2qk8LMSCgjlqfnior ... ABOUT: Supported Living providers have been on the front line of this pandemic, taking care of clients even when they get COVID. They provide the same type of care as state employees in State Operated Living Alternatives but are paid much less. Please join with advocates in asking for fair wages for direct support providers.
Employment Supports Advocacy Day, Wednesday, February 10. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwodOqrrj8qEtKzefq8uWRZAEI3b44zBTnR ... ABOUT: Having a job means  individuals with DD can be productive citizens, contributing to our economy by paying taxes,  while also providing valuable  services. Being  gainfully  employed builds self-esteem, but  our state still allows people with disabilities to be paid sub-minimum wages, as little as 2 cents an hour! Join advocates as we work to make wages equitable and ensure employment supports and quality transition services are available in all communities.
Families Save Money Advocacy Day, Wednesday, February 17. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfuyorTIoE9UkfdanQJFnX1YlFgSJiC-V ... ABOUT: Join advocacy efforts for several key issues that affect family care-giving. RESPITE: Families provide the majority of care at home for people with DD, saving our state millions of dollars. Respite care is a critical service, but its difficult to find a provider. BEHAVIOR SUPPORT: Teens and adults with DD and challenging behaviors are taken to hospital emergency rooms and left there with no medical need because the behavior supports they need are not available. MEDICAID/APPLE HEALTH BUY IN: Some families can’t get services for their child because the family doesn’t meet Medicaid financial eligibility. A Katie Beckett Waiver would allow families to “buy-in” to Medicaid. Unlike other waivers, there can be no wait list. If you qualify, you get served.
Investing in Student Potential Advocacy Days, Tuesday, February 23-25.  ABOUT: This coalition pushes the state to design systems to give every learner what they need, when they need it. That means special education must be fully funded AND our general education system needs to be designed and funded for maximum inclusion and access.  Register here: https://studentpotential.org/events/. Learn about Investing in Student Potential: https://studentpotential.org/
DD Awareness Month Advocacy Day, Wednesday, February 24. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpcOiupz0vHtdqhf72bC6hbaeYwPE6VJtE ... ABOUT: Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities  partners with Association for University Centers on Disabilities and National Disability Rights Network to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.  We will educate legislators and have the governor’s staff share the Governor’s Proclamation for this important awareness campaign.
Education During COVID-19 Advocacy Day, Wednesday, March 3. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAldemvrTwiG9awb0OWQxa9wFVUsBaYNj5r ... ABOUT: The pandemic has had a huge affect on education services for children with DD. With in-person school cancelled and the districts try to figure out virtual classes, children with DD are not receiving the services required in their Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs). What can the legislature do to ensure the needs of children who require special education services are not falling further behind? Join us as we learn more about this inequity.
Rights and Protections: No New Institutions! Advocacy Day, Wednesday, March 10. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrcuuhrj8qH9KOiIpZTPGQPe6PkszBtn22 ... ABOUT: Two years ago, a work group was charged with creating a plan for the future of the Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) in our state. Although the plan would downsize and close RHCs - our state's large institutions, it also would build a new nursing facility on the grounds of one of the RHCs, Fircrest. The governor is also calling for capital investments in other Fircrest facilities. We do not want to build new institutions and large congregate settings. People with disabilities need the state to invest that money in local, home and community-based options.
Self-Advocacy: Nothing About Us Without Us Advocacy Day, Wednesday, March 17. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link will be posted here: Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtfuCrqz8pGNOzMFHgoULLi2oiG54DYpnR ... ABOUT: The last few years have seen the legislature convene work groups about developmental disabilities, but without representation of the self-advocates that the work group  outcomes would affect. Last year a  report to the legislature proposed to build a new nursing facility on the grounds of Fircrest, something self-advocates strongly oppose! Learn about a bill that will ensure people with disabilities have a place at the table when and where it matters most.
Budget: Invest, Don't Cut! Advocacy Day, Wednesday, March 24. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoduyqrjMqG9VkfNhyI43pVpmGD9EOMoRO  ... ABOUT: Creating a balanced budget is the one thing legislators are required to do during this legislative session. With many new legislators, it is important that you educate yours about the needs of people with DD and where funding comes up short.  Because COVID-19 has created such an economic catastrophe in our state, revenues are short of what is needed to keep programs going and expand to cover clients on DDA's No Paid Services List.
Autism Awareness, Acceptance & Appreciation Month Advocacy Day, Wednesday, March 31. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYucumtpj8rHdDoWa2LFxQZb3adW83bek0P ... ABOUT: On December 18, 2007, the United Nations declared April 2nd to be World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year. In 1970, the Autism Society began spreading awareness about autism in the month of April and it is now recognized nationally. It is not enough to be aware of what autism is. We need to be accepting of the many gifts autistic people have to share and appreciate the diversity they bring.
Equity and Diversity Advocacy Day, Wednesday, April 7. Legislative briefing 10 am to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYof-6qqTkoGd1UkOskkNdBukXspEKnWt6Y ... ABOUT: People  of color or of indigenous  backgrounds, immigrants or  LGBTQ+ identities experience racism and other systemic discrimination challenges. We need to ensure that justice and equity in services is a right afforded to everyone. Our state has passed legislation to work on police injustices and continues to refine it, but work needs to be done in other areas as well, such as schools, community-based disability and mental health services, housing supports and so much more.
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