Programs

Phase out isolation and prevent restraint

January 21, 2025Restraint and isolation are leftover practices that come from the days of institutionalization. They have no educational or therapeutic benefit and cause lifelong harm for students and for educators. These practices are used disproportionately against students with disabilities, students of color, students who are homeless or live in foster care, and students who are low-income.

Transportation Priorities: 2025 Legislative Session

December 12, 2024Disability Rights Washington is continuing to champion legislation that would add transit rider representation to transit agency boards. Nobody wants transit to succeed more than the people who rely on it day in and day out, but our voices are continually left out of decision-making processes.

Trueblood Phase V Request for Proposals, now open.

May 3, 2024The Trueblood Diversion Workgroup released the 2024 Phase V RFP today, learn more here and join the applicant conference on May 10th via Teams if interested.

D.S. v. DCYF lawsuit seeks input by January 19, 2024

January 10, 2024DCYF has now completed the Implementation Plan explaining how it plans to meet the Settlement Agreement’s requirements. Now, the community is invited to share feedback on the Draft Data Addendum the second part to the Implementation plan. Learn how to give feedback here.

Trueblood Solicitation for Letters of Interest is open

November 8, 2023On November 8, 2023, the Trueblood Diversion Workgroup released a new solicitation for letters of interest, available here, from providers who currently or recently have: 1) operated housing for people with significant behavioral health conditions, or 2) operated programs specifically targeted to Trueblood Class Members. Letters of interest are due by December 6, 2023. Learn more here.

DRW Reaches Agreement with DOC to Improve Care For Transgender People with Disabilities

October 11, 2023On October 11, 2023, Disability Rights Washington (DRW) filed a complaint and settlement agreement in federal court to resolve allegations that the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) is violating the U.S. Constitution, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Rehabilitation Act in its treatment of incarcerated people with disabilities who are transgender.

We Need a Safe, Accessible and Complete Sidewalk Network

September 18, 2023Just like we can expect our city to build and maintain roads, the same should be true for our sidewalk network. We believe that any time our city repaves a road, the Seattle Department of Transportation should also take action to repair broken and inaccessible sidewalks and install any missing sidewalks along the corridor. 

Court again holds WA DSHS in contempt, imposes $100M in fines and orders changes to hospital admission policies

July 10, 2023The State of Washington has once again been held in contempt for its decade-long failure to provide timely psychiatric services to people with serious behavioral health disorders and other disabilities who are stuck waiting in jails. Learn more and read the Order here.

Now Hiring: Impact Litigation Attorney

March 16, 2023DRW’s Legal Advocacy Team seeks a litigation attorney with a demonstrated interest in conducting impact litigation and other systemic advocacy to enforce the legal rights of individuals suffering from abuse, neglect, or other human and civil rights violations. This position will require a licensed attorney, or an individual who will soon become a licensed attorney, with the ability to conduct systemic investigations, develop complex advocacy strategies, and represent both classes and individuals. Learn more now.

Report: Many Faces of Solitary

January 10, 2023Read the latest AVID report on the current state of solitary confinement in Washington State and the call for reform.

Civil discharge settlement agreement

December 16, 2022On December 2, 2022, after nearly a year of negotiations, Disability Rights Washington finalized a settlement agreement with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and Health Care Authority to address state hospital discharge delays, and better ensure that people are not confined in expensive, institutional settings longer than necessary.

Rainier School Case filed in September – (G.G. et al. v Meneses et al.)

October 4, 2022The Rainier School is a large state-run, residential institution in rural Pierce County. It is a dangerous place to live. The mistreatment and neglect within its walls have maimed, hospitalized, and killed residents. Learn more about this case here.

DRW Amicus brief highlights the risks and dangers of involuntary inpatient civil commitment

September 21, 2022Disability Rights Washington, the ACLU of Washington, the Washington Defender Association, and the King County Department of Assigned Counsel have filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief in the Washington State Supreme Court. Learn more here.

Read Notice & Motion for Class Action Settlement for Youth in Foster Care

August 5, 2022Read Notice for Class Action Settlement for Youth in Foster Care and Plaintiffs’ Unopposed Motion for Order Approving Attorneys’ Fees and Costs Following Mediation.