Cases
G.G. et al. v Meneses et al. (Rainier School)
On September 2, 2022, two individuals and Disability Rights Washington filed a systemic lawsuit against several state officials for the harm they do to people with developmental disabilities at Rainier School. The Rainier School is a large state-run, residential institution in rural Pierce County. It is a dangerous place to live. It has a long history of failing to provide a healthy and safe environment for residents. The mistreatment and neglect within its walls have maimed, hospitalized, and killed residents.
D.S. v. DCYF
In January 2021, Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on behalf of three named plaintiffs, hundreds of similarly situated foster children, and Disability Rights Washington, the state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is shuttling children with behavioral health and developmental disabilities from hotels to state offices to other one-night stays, “essentially rendering them homeless for extended periods of time.” Other youth end up in institutions, some of them hundreds of miles from their families in non-therapeutic facilities that further traumatize them.
Reynoldson et al. v. City of Seattle
In July 2017, Disability Rights Washington, along with co-counsel filed a settlement agreement with the City of Seattle. The settlement agreement lays out a plan for Seattle to fulfill the promise of the ADA by ensuring equal access to people with disabilities who live, work, or travel to Seattle.
C.F. v. Lashway
In August 2016, DRW filed an Olmstead lawsuit against the Department of Social and Health Service (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA). This case is about giving people who wish to live in the community the supports needed to be successful living out of institutions.
Dunakin v. Lashway
This lawsuit sought to secure systemic reforms to implement the requirements established under the “Preadmission Screening and Resident Review” or “PASRR” requirements of the federal Nursing Home Reform Act and the “Integration Mandate” of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
T.R. et al. v. Quigley et al.
This case settlement agreement outlines significant reforms to Washington’s public mental health system for children. Under the agreement, the state commits to develop and provide intensive, individualized mental health services to Medicaid-eligible youth in their homes or communities.