Programs

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.

How Would You Get Around If You Couldn’t Drive Yourself?

September 16, 2025Washington State, September 29 to October 5, 2025 -- Imagine your life without driving. Could you navigate your daily routines, reach your workplace, doctor's office, or connect with loved ones? This year, community organizations, public officials and transit agencies across Washington State are planning walk/roll events, transit bingo and bus ride-alongs, speaking events, proclamations and even bench installations as part of this year’s celebration of the Week Without Driving. 

Governor signs law allowing wheelchair users to repair their own mobility devices

May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 – Disability Rights Washington joined Governor Ferguson, Senator Hansen and Representative Gregerson in Olympia today at the

New Bill Gives Transit Agencies Opportunity to Include People Who Rely on Transit to Improve Service

May 12, 2025Today Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law HB 1418 which adds two voting members that are transit users to the governing body of public transportation benefit areas. This law amends Washington state law to allow PTBAs to appoint two voting members to their governing boards, one who is transit-reliant and one from an organization that serves transit-reliant communities.

Victory! Governor Signs Law to Limit Exclusionary Employment Practices with Unnecessary Driver License Requirements

April 22, 2025- Disability Rights Washington joined Governor Ferguson and Senator Stanford in Olympia today at the Bill signing for SB 5501. This bill prohibits an employer from requiring a driver's license as a condition of employment, or including a statement in a job posting that an applicant must have a valid driver's license, unless driving is an essential job function or is related to a legitimate business purpose for the position

Phase out isolation and prevent restraint

January 21, 2025Restraint and isolation are leftover practices that come from the days of institutionalization. They have no educational or therapeutic benefit and cause lifelong harm for students and for educators. These practices are used disproportionately against students with disabilities, students of color, students who are homeless or live in foster care, and students who are low-income.

Transportation Priorities: 2025 Legislative Session

December 12, 2024Disability Rights Washington is continuing to champion legislation that would add transit rider representation to transit agency boards. Nobody wants transit to succeed more than the people who rely on it day in and day out, but our voices are continually left out of decision-making processes.

Trueblood Phase V Request for Proposals, now open.

May 3, 2024The Trueblood Diversion Workgroup released the 2024 Phase V RFP today, learn more here and join the applicant conference on May 10th via Teams if interested.

D.S. v. DCYF lawsuit seeks input by January 19, 2024

January 10, 2024DCYF has now completed the Implementation Plan explaining how it plans to meet the Settlement Agreement’s requirements. Now, the community is invited to share feedback on the Draft Data Addendum the second part to the Implementation plan. Learn how to give feedback here.

Trueblood Solicitation for Letters of Interest is open

November 8, 2023On November 8, 2023, the Trueblood Diversion Workgroup released a new solicitation for letters of interest, available here, from providers who currently or recently have: 1) operated housing for people with significant behavioral health conditions, or 2) operated programs specifically targeted to Trueblood Class Members. Letters of interest are due by December 6, 2023. Learn more here.

DRW Reaches Agreement with DOC to Improve Care For Transgender People with Disabilities

October 11, 2023On October 11, 2023, Disability Rights Washington (DRW) filed a complaint and settlement agreement in federal court to resolve allegations that the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) is violating the U.S. Constitution, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Rehabilitation Act in its treatment of incarcerated people with disabilities who are transgender.

We Need a Safe, Accessible and Complete Sidewalk Network

September 18, 2023Just like we can expect our city to build and maintain roads, the same should be true for our sidewalk network. We believe that any time our city repaves a road, the Seattle Department of Transportation should also take action to repair broken and inaccessible sidewalks and install any missing sidewalks along the corridor. 

Court again holds WA DSHS in contempt, imposes $100M in fines and orders changes to hospital admission policies

July 10, 2023The State of Washington has once again been held in contempt for its decade-long failure to provide timely psychiatric services to people with serious behavioral health disorders and other disabilities who are stuck waiting in jails. Learn more and read the Order here.

Now Hiring: Impact Litigation Attorney

March 16, 2023DRW’s Legal Advocacy Team seeks a litigation attorney with a demonstrated interest in conducting impact litigation and other systemic advocacy to enforce the legal rights of individuals suffering from abuse, neglect, or other human and civil rights violations. This position will require a licensed attorney, or an individual who will soon become a licensed attorney, with the ability to conduct systemic investigations, develop complex advocacy strategies, and represent both classes and individuals. Learn more now.