Disability Empowerment Center

11/18/2025

The disability community lost a legend last week with the news that Alice Wong, activist and author, has passed away.

Read this tribute and learn more about her impact:

The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels.

11/14/2025

Transportation and accessibility are deeply intertwined with public infrastructure, equity and dignity, which makes accessible transportation more than just reaching destinations.

As our latest webinar panelists emphasized, it is about maintaining independence, connection and full participation in community life.

Read the webinar recap by our AmeriCorps member, Sara, here:
disabilityempowerment.org/blog/recap-accessible-transportation-webinar

11/13/2025

The Arc of King County is proud to share our brand new resource for senior families!
SENIOR CAREGIVER RESOURCE GUIDE: A one-stop resource for families supporting older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in King County.
Download your copy here: https://bit.ly/4p1JK0o

11/11/2025

Disability Empowerment Center offices are closed today in honor of Veterans Day.

We are grateful to all who have served. 🧡

11/10/2025

Missed our last Understanding Ableism webinar on accessible transportation? 🚐 🚆

No worries!

You can watch it anytime on our YouTube channel.

Public transit is still falling short for people with disabilities—even decades after the ADA. In this webinar, we examined real-world experiences and discussed solutions to make transit systems more accessible, respectful and responsive to the needs of the disability community.

Watch or listen here:
youtu.be/vf2o6il7R7M

In this recorded webinar, from October 2025, we explored the topic of accessible transportation.Public transit is still falling short for people with disabil...

11/07/2025

Don't miss our free EPIC outing to the Museum of Flight next Friday!

Join us to learn about aviation and space at this amazing museum, located in South Seattle.

Friday, Nov. 14, 1-4 p.m.

Meet inside the main lobby. We will pay admission, but you are responsible for travel and your own food/snacks.

RSVP by Friday, Nov. 7: info@disabilityempowerment.org

Our EPIC program (Empowering People In the Community) gives you a chance to explore places around our region together with other people with disabilities. All are welcome!

11/07/2025

🎭Disability Empowerment Center is going on stage (well, sort of)!

We’re partnering with the amazing Sound Theatre Company to participate in a “talk back” at an upcoming show of their production of “The Humans.”

A “talk back” is post-show discussion or Q&A where the audience gets to talk to the cast, crew and director.

Directed by Founding Artistic Director Teresa Thuman, this Tony Award-winning play captures the complexities of family life with humor and raw emotional depth… set at Thanksgiving.

We’re excited to be part of the “talk back” of this masterful production that reflects on what it means to be human.

Here are the show details:

“The Humans”
Seattle Center Armory (305 Harrison St.)
Sunday, Nov. 16
2 p.m. show
3:30 post-show "talk back"

Purchase tickets at: soundtheatrecompany.org/2025-season/the-humans

The theater is wheelchair-accessible. This production has additional accessibility features including audio description, an optional 1 p.m. tactile tour and sensory-friendly atmosphere. More accessibility info is available at soundtheatrecompany.org/social-justice-league/accessibility

11/05/2025

FREE WEBINAR

Do you use assistive technology? Do you know what it is?

Join us for a free webinar where we unpack the importance of assistive technology.

The invention of assistive technology has opened the doors for people with disabilities to live independently alongside people without disabilities in ways that were previously considered impossible, and the process continues to occur today.

We will explore the purpose of assistive technology and how different types of them help the disability community navigate an ableist world.

Our panelists are:
- Jae Kim, Arc of King County
- Dorene Cornwell, STAR of Seattle Public Computer Lab
- Matthew Gilsbach, District of Columbia Association of the Deaf

Tuesday, Nov. 18
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom. RSVP here to receive the link: https://www.disabilityempowerment.org/events/understanding-ableism-november-2025

Sign language interpretation and CART will be provided.

For questions or to request other accommodations: kcdc@disabilityempowerment.org

11/03/2025

Happy November!

We have some great events lined up this month, so mark your calendars.

🦃 North End 50+ Peer Group: Friday, November 7

🦃 Virtual Peer Group: Wednesday, November 12

🦃 EPIC Museum of Flight Outing: Friday, November 14

🦃 Understanding Ableism Webinar on Assistive Technology: Tuesday, November 18

🦃 Westside Peer Group: Thursday, November 20

All of our events are free. Learn more and RSVP: disabilityempowerment.org/events

10/30/2025

Are you a parent or caregiver of someone with intellectual or developmental disabilities? Join us for Navigating IDD: Housing Options for Loved Ones with I/DD NEXT WEDNESDAY, the 5th via Zoom from 7pm to 8:30pm. In this session, Rachel Nemhauser, Director of Information and Family Support will discuss various housing options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Get insights into available resources, strategies, and opportunities to help create safe and supportive living environments for your loved ones.
Join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96093292277?pwd=SzM0bWR4OGlmMVFrZHdxNjEvMDRNdz09
Passcode: TheArc!
No RSVP required—simply log in and participate! If you have any questions or need accommodations, including language interpretation, please contact JKim@arcofkingcounty.org.
This is a great opportunity to connect with other caregivers and access expert guidance in a supportive environment. We hope to see you there!

10/28/2025

Our last North End 50+ Peer Group of the year is coming up next week!

This quarter’s event will be a celebration of autumn and a chance to learn about transportation options from Hopelink.

🥧 If you’d like, bring a seasonal pie to share!

Our North End 50+ Peer Group is primarily for people ages 50+ and typically meets in North Seattle. Free!

Friday, Nov. 7
1-3 p.m.

S**G Interurban, Lobby C-1 Conference Room,
14002 Linden Ave. N., Seattle

RSVP and request accommodations by Friday, Oct. 31: info@disabilityempowerment.org

10/27/2025

There's only one week left to make your vote count!

If you need accessibility info or accommodations to vote, King County Elections provides accessible voting options. Find helpful info on their website: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/how-to-vote/ballots/accessible-voting-options

There are also several Accessible Voting Events coming up around the county:

Southcenter Library Connection – October 28 from 1-6 p.m.
1386 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila

Shoreline Library – October 30 from 12-5 p.m.
345 NE 175th Street, Shoreline

Auburn Library – October 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn

Muckleshoot Library – November 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
39917 Auburn Enumclaw Rd SE, Auburn