Disability Rights Washington
Washington's Protection and Advocacy System

Disability Rights Washington is a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. We work to pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights.

Program Updates

Phase out isolation and prevent restraint

May 15, 2026House Bill 1795 bans life threatening restraint and prohibits construction of new isolation rooms, marking the first restraint and isolation legislation to pass in Washington after four years of sustained legislative advocacy. Governor Ferguson signed the bill on March 24, and it will take effect June 11, 2026. Learn more here!

DRW welcomes Kelsey De Avila to the LTCRR Team!

May 15, 2026In December 2025 DRW's Long Term Care Resident Rights Program welcomed Kelsey De Avila as an Advocate. Learn more about Kelsey here!

DRW welcomes Sarah Finley to the Treatment Facilities Team!

May 13, 2026In March 2026 DRW's Treatment Facilities program welcomed Sarah as an Attorney. Learn more about her here!

DRW welcomes Lauren Rolfe to the AVID team!

May 12, 2026In March 2026 DRW's Amplifying Voices of Incarcerated Individuals with Disabilities (AVID) program welcomed Lauren Rolfe as an Attorney. Learn more about Lauren here!
More program updates

Reports

Rooted in Rights

Office of DD Ombuds

Systemic Litigation

Tools to Help You

Your Feedback

@DRW

Please tell us what is important to you!

April 15, 2026Please help determine our advocacy priorities by taking the priorities survey! We are also hosting a virtual Town Hall on 5/13/26. Learn more here.

DRW welcomes our new Executive Director!

November 12, 2025After a nationwide search, we are excited to announce that Wallace (Wally) Tablit has been selected to lead Disability Rights Washington as our next Executive Director, starting November 12, 2025. Wally brings nearly thirty years of leadership experience in the disability rights and justice movements, with a passion and commitment for creating an equitable world for people of all identities and lived experiences. He has brought positive changes to communities across the Pacific Northwest as well as on the national stage and is a leading expert in competitive and integrated employment. Wally also brings extensive experience in organizational development, leadership, talent management, and person-centered planning. Learn more here!
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#SocialJusticeAllies

Journey to Justice Bus Tour

September 24, 2025In September, Disability Rights Washington's AVID Program partnered with the Survivors Opposing Solitary (SOS) Coalition, Look2Justice, and Unlock the Box, to host the Journey to Justice bus, which is on a cross-country tour to raise awareness about the harms of solitary confinement. The bus contains art, writings, and literature about solitary as well as a VR experience of solitary and a mock solitary cell. Learn more about the project here.

DRW brings voting registration and civic engagement into isolated treatment facilities

August 20, 2025DRW recently partnered with Civil Survival to provide trainings on voting rights and civic engagement to people held at four separate state psychiatric treatment facilities. Individuals in these facilities are often very isolated and politically disempowered.
More #SocialJusticeAllies

Our History

History

Photo: Disability Rights Washington’s founding mothers were also the force behind the nation’s first state education for all law.

The Protection and Advocacy System

P&A agencies have the authority to provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under federal laws, to all people with disabilities.