Program Updates

New report: No Excuse for Exclusion: Segregation and Subminimum Wage at Rainier

October 30, 2018Residents working at Rainier work in isolated conditions, doing tasks that are not individualized to meet their capabilities, and earn less than minimum wage. Disability Rights Washington provides the latest update on Rainier in “No Excuse for Exclusion.”

New Report: Let Us Come Home

October 17, 2018New report released today: Washington’s Out-of-State Youth Plead: Let us Come Home Report and Recommendations. Disability Rights Washington (DRW) has completed an investigation of Clarinda Academy, one of the many out-of-state institutions where Washington State has been sending foster youth with behavioral health needs. Learn more...

AVID Program Summer Updates

September 25, 2018What has the AVID Program team been up to this summer? Find out here...

I-940 De-Escalate Ready for the Campaign and Confident of a Win in November

August 31, 2018The State Supreme Court has ruled that I-940 must be placed on the November ballot. DRW and De-escalate Washington are ready to go to the ballot and win, and then keep working for reforms with our law enforcement partners! We're committed to saving lives. The first step to that is passing I-940.

Policy Goals for the New Access Paratransit Contract

August 28, 2018Disability Rights Washington (DRW), Washington ADAPT West, and the Transit Riders Union have co-released a new report regarding the poor quality of the paratransit services in King County for riders with disabilities who cannot use fixed route buses.

Parties in Trueblood Reach a Settlement Agreement

August 23, 2018The Parties in the A.B. by and through Trueblood v. DSHS have reached a settlement agreement which improves the competency evaluation and restoration services system, emphasizes arrest diversion, and increases community-based supports for people with mental illness.

DRW releases revised Patient Rights at State Hospitals booklet

June 13, 2018DRW's Treatment Facilities program has updated its publication, "Patient Rights at Western State Hospital and Eastern State Hospital." This booklet provides information about the rights of both civil patients and forensic patients who are at the adult psychiatric hospitals run by the State of Washington: Western State Hospital and Eastern State Hospital.

CLICK TO WATCH NEW VIDEO: ‘Welcome Indicators’ in Long-Term Care

June 13, 2018Experts have told us that they can discern within minutes whether any given long-term care environment is the type that truly supports self-determination and self-advocacy for residents. People in long-term care deserve privacy, freedom, respect, and every chance to pursue a fully engaged adult life. Our new video shows "Welcome Indicators" that can help you tell right off the bat whether or not an environment is the kind that regards and facilitates its residents.

Deadly Force Reforms Head to Washington State Supreme Court

June 7, 2018The Washington Supreme Court agrees to hear a case seeking to uphold the legislature’s passage of reforms to the state’s police deadly force law. DRW and a coalition of law enforcement and community groups stand united in support of these reforms, including improvements in police accountability and mental health training.

Congratulations Reisha Abolofia

May 21, 2018Disability Rights Washington is pleased to announce that Reisha Abolofia will direct the new Rights Investigation and Accountability Program. Reisha will lead a team of one staff member from each of Disability Rights Washington’s three offices to ensure that individuals with disabilities have self-determination in personal and financial decisions.

DRW v. Inslee

May 2, 2018In April 2018, Disability Rights Washington and co-counsel Paukert and Troppmann filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the Department of Corrections’ practice of housing inmates with mental health needs in overly restrictive custodial settings at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Disability Rights Washington is serving as the organizational plaintiff in this case, which is ongoing.

Independent Corrections Ombuds in Washington State created

April 9, 2018On March 27, 2018 AVID joined other stakeholders for the Governor’s signing of House Bill 1889, which creates an independent corrections ombuds office in Washington.

April 17th is The Rooted in Rights Storytellers Film Festival!

April 9, 2018Join us for an interactive discussion on creative media and disability rights with a panel of Rooted in Rights Storytellers! At the SIFF Cinema Uptown in Seattle, WA.

I-940 Update

March 21, 2018In just two days’ time, state representatives pushed I-940 (also known as “De-Escalate Washington”) and House Bill 3003 through the House with a bipartisan 73-25 vote and through the Senate in a 25-24 vote, split down party lines. Together, I-940 and the agreed upon policy in ESHB 3003 strengthen and clarify the measure so that implementation goes more smoothly and the legal standards for the “good faith” standard are more clear.