Reisha Abolofia ignited Disability Rights Washington’s presence in Spokane this week. Abolofia, an attorney and recent graduate of Gonzaga Law School, will serve as a policy analyst and researcher for DRW’s legal and systemic advocacy. She will also conduct outreach to the disability and social justice communities as she helps DRW define its Spokane office role.
The new office site will better enable DRW to understand the advocacy needs people with disabilities face in rural and Eastern Washington. Abolofia will conduct outreach and work with disability and legal advocacy communities.
Abolofia will conduct research to advance DRW’s legal and public policy education through policy research, investigations, public reports and position papers, public education, and advocacy with stakeholders and policymakers. She will conduct factual research, review records and other documents, conduct policy analysis, draft public reports and comments, monitor and investigate conditions affecting people with disabilities, work with other DRW staff and community coalitions of disability advocates, and recruit and coordinate skilled advocacy volunteers to assist with DRW’s advocacy on behalf of DRW’s constituents.
Requests for DRW services will continue to be handled by DRW’s Seattle Office.
Born and raised in Seattle, Abolofia attended the University of Washington, and graduated with a degree in Journalism. She is a black belt in Shodukan Karate, and enjoys cooking and spending time with family. She has lived in Spokane for four years. Abolofia was the Vice President and Creative Director of the Gonzaga Public Law Interest Group, and interned at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office where she assisted victims of sexual offenses and domestic violence.