Disability Rights Washington

11/28/2025

🎯 Goal: Raise $5,000 through Washington Gives for DRW.

📌 How to join in:

On December 2, visit the Washington Gives page for DRW.
Choose your donation amount.
Share your support with friends/family to amplify the impact.
Your gift supports DRW’s programs in systemic litigation, community inclusion, mobility rights, the DD Ombuds office and more.

https://givingtuesday.mightycause.com/organization/Disability-Rights-Washington

11/25/2025

Every dollar makes a difference.

Did you know that over 1.7 million people in Washington State have a disability?
On December 2, you can help ensure people with disabilities have access to justice, representation and the rights they deserve.

https://givingtuesday.mightycause.com/organization/Disability-Rights-Washington

11/24/2025

Disability Rights Washington is mourning the passing of Alice Wong, a visionary disabled activist, writer, and creator of the Disability Visibility Project. Through her work, including , she changed how the world understands access, disability justice, and community.

Alice’s words continue to guide us: to speak truth to power, to build community, and to refuse to be ground down by ableism. We send love and solidarity to Alice’s family, friends, and the many people whose lives she changed. May her memory be a blessing and a call to action.

Alice contributed to several blog pieces for DRW’s Rooted in Rights Program. You can find those here: https://rootedinrights.org/author/alicewong/

11/21/2025

Did you know that you can make your donation early? Donate today to help support Disability Rights Washington’s support our mission: advancing the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities across Washington.

Donate here: 👉 https://givingtuesday.mightycause.com/organization/Disability-Rights-Washington

Save the date: December 2!

11/13/2025

📢 HUGE NEWS! We're thrilled to announce Wallace (Wally) Tablit as the new Executive Director of Disability Rights Washington (DRW), starting today, November 12, 2025! Wally brings nearly 30 years of experience in disability rights and justice leadership to DRW. He's ready to continue centering the voices of people with disabilities and building critical partnerships.

Read the full announcement and learn more about Wally's expertise here: https://disabilityrightswa.org/drw-welcomes-our-new-executive-director/

11/05/2025

In October 2025 Disability Rights Washington became an organizational member of the Washington State Immigrant Solidarity Network. In doing so we affirm our commitment to the disabled community and organizations supporting those currently being profiled due to their race, ethnicity, and/or national origin and aim to support local efforts to defend immigrant and migrant communities. We look forward to deepening our understanding of what is happening in Washington state, strengthening relationships with those working on the front lines to protect due process and prevent violence against our community, and sharing the perspectives of people with disabilities to help inform this important work.

In October 2025 Disability Rights Washington became an organizational member of the Washington State Immigrant Solidarity Network. In doing so we affirm our commitment to the disabled community and organizations supporting those currently being profiled due to their race, ethnicity, and/or national....

10/20/2025

DRW is hiring for two staff attorney positions. One is a Prisoners' Rights Impact Litigation Attorney, and the other is a Deinstitutionalization Impact Litigation Attorney. View these and all of our job listings here: https://disabilityrightswa.org/employment/

10/07/2025

Week Without Driving 2025, Bigger Than Ever

More than 500 individuals and 50 elected officials from across Washington State participated in this year’s Week Without Driving challenge which was celebrated by community organizations, transit agencies, transportation departments and public officials across our state.
In 2021, disabled advocates at Disability Rights Washington launched the Week Without Driving to increase the visibility of nondrivers. Now in its fifth year, Week Without Driving has grown to include more than five hundred co-hosting organizations across all fifty US states, Canada and Australia.

This year, in Washington State, we received official Week Without Driving proclamations from Governor Ferguson, and the cities of Carnation, College Place, Dayton, Kirkland, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Olympia, Tumwater, Snoqualmie, Seattle and Walla Walla, as well as Columbia, Pierce, King and Kitsap Counties.

https://disabilityrightswa.org/week-without-driving-2025-bigger-than-ever/

10/03/2025

Are you participating in Week Without Driving? Share your photos and stories below!

Nearly one in three Washingtonians does not drive, a reality that presents serious challenges in a state largely built around car travel.

10/02/2025

Disability Rights Washington is hiring for multiple staff attorneys with 0-5 years experience to advocate for people with disabilities in long-term care settings! An ideal candidate would have lived and/or professional experience relating to DRW’s practice areas, which include, but are not limited to addressing discrimination, accessing public benefits or long-term care services, and/or ending abuse and neglect. Learn more here: https://disabilityrightswa.org/now-hiring-staff-attorney/

09/19/2025

Disability Rights Washington is saddened to share that Mike Raymond passed away this week.

Mike lived at the Rainier School until he was 20 and has long advocated for the closure of state-run residential habilitation centers for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
After leaving Rainier School he lived an independent life with his wife, also a former Rainier School resident, and they welcomed a child together.

He helped found People First of Washington, and worked with Self Advocates of Washington (SAW), Allies in Advocacy, PAVE, Northwest Services for Independent Living, and many other advocacy groups. Hear Mike’s story in his own words in DRW’s video: Mike’s Story from Isolation to Independence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nevg5F686B8

Mike is credited with naming our 2021 Advocacy Report, “Shut Them Down”: It’s time to close Washington’s dangerous Residential Habilitation Centers. https://disabilityrightswa.org/reports/shut-them-down-its-time-to-close-washingtons-dangerous-residential-habilitation-centers/ “Shut Them Down!” was his catchphrase when discussing the RHC’s. He was the 2017 DRW Breaking Barriers Advocacy Award recipient. Mike served on DRW’s Board of Directors, and Disability Advisory Council.

He was known and loved by so many and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

09/17/2025

How Would You Get Around If You Couldn’t Drive Yourself?
Communities Across WA Host Week Without Driving to Highlight the Needs of Nondrivers

Washington 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.

In 2021, disabled advocates at Disability Rights Washington launched the Week Without Driving to increase the visibility of nondrivers. Now in its fifth year, Week Without Driving will take place from September 29 to October 5 and has grown to include more than five hundred co-hosting organizations across all fifty US states, Canada and Australia.

Week Without Driving has helped advocacy organizations and elected leaders broaden coalitions and push for policies that support access for nondrivers across both rural and urban communities — and everywhere in between.

Why the Week Without Driving?

Thirty percent of Washington residents are nondrivers — disabled people who can’t drive, people who can’t afford a vehicle or gas, have suspended licenses or lack documentation to get a license, people who are too young to drive, choose not to drive or who have aged out of driving.

But nondrivers are largely invisible — more often measured in absences. Nondrivers are the people who didn’t make it out from wildfires or flash floods, who missed doctors or court appointments because the bus never showed up. Nondrivers are the parents that couldn’t get to the school play and the kid who couldn’t sign up for the soccer team because there just wasn’t a good way to get there.

https://disabilityrightswa.org/how-would-you-get-around-if-you-couldnt-drive-yourself/