Program Updates

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.

Now Hiring: Video Editor in Seattle

May 30, 2018Rooted in Rights seeks a Video Editor to support our various video advocacy projects.

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.

Please join us: Washington State Mental Health Reform Taskforce Meetings

March 2, 2018This series of stakeholder meetings, initiated by a new agreement in the A.B. v. D.S.H.S. (Trueblood) case, are being held around the state to solicit input from stakeholders like you on what should be under consideration to make lasting change.

New video: “Error 404: Accessibility Not Found”

March 1, 2018In the latest Rooted in Rights video, Maddie Bright discusses why internet accessibility is important to people with disabilities.

Amicus (“Friend of the Court”) Brief about Court Accommodations for People with Disabilities

February 16, 2018The Washington State Court of Appeals has accepted Disability Rights Washington’s amicus brief regarding the rights of people with disabilities to courtroom accommodations.

HB 2822 will lead to more harassment of people with legitimate service animals, not less

February 12, 2018Disability Rights Washington opposes HB 2822 because it punishes people with disabilities as a response to business owners’ misunderstandings and the lies of nondisabled people using fake service animals.

Let’s Strengthen Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries

January 15, 2018A bill (H.R. 4547) has been drafted to make sure representative payees handle beneficiary's money correctly. With the bill's passage, funds would allow us to meet with Social Security beneficiaries and review the financial records of payees.