David Carlson
Director of Advocacy
David Carlson leads Disability Rights Washington’s advocacy by coordinating the work of its various advocacy programs. These programs engage in multi-modal advocacy incorporating multiple advocacy tools. The programs monitor facilities and community settings, investigate potential abuse and neglect, issue public reports and videos, engage in both traditional and social media advocacy, conduct systemic legal and policy advocacy, and provide Washingtonians with disabilities information about their legal rights and support in being better self-advocates.
David has served as lead counsel in numerous class actions and other systemic advocacy efforts enforcing a wide variety of civil rights of people with disabilities. David’s advocacy work has been recognized in international media and by several local and national awards. David presents on disability legal issues, legal ethics, and advocacy skills around the country. Additionally, David has taught Disability Law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Seattle University and served as a member of the National Disability Rights Network’s Board of Directors and prior to that its legal strategy committee. David graduated Cum Laude from both Eastern Washington University, where he received his B.A., and Gonzaga University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate and served as the Editor-in-Chief of Gonzaga Law Review.