Raise Your Voice: 2022 Legislative Advocacy Days
Raise Your Voice: 2022 Legislative Advocacy Days
The start of the 2022 state legislative session is just around the corner. Now is the time to re-engage in advocacy!
Each year, The Arc of Washington State organizes a series of ADVOCACY DAYS to provide opportunities for the disability community to engage in the legislative process, inform their elected officials on issues that impact our community, and drive policy change at the state level.
Due to COVID-19, legislative meetings, as well as The Arc Advocacy Days, have transitioned to a virtual platform. This will remain in effect during the 2022 session.
This is a good thing! While it is always nice to meet and talk with legislators face-to-face, a virtual option increases accessibility and allows disability advocates from across the state to participate in the activity that happens in Olympia.
The Arc of Washington State invites individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, friends and service providers to participate in one or more of the planned Advocacy Days.
Participation is easy! Register using the links below, and you will receive information by email about joining the meeting.
Advocacy Day Calendar
January 12th
- Briefing on IDD Legislative Issues: REGISTER HERE
- Statewide Legislative Reception: REGISTER HERE
January 19th — Topic: Housing Accessibility — REGISTER HERE
January 26th — Topic: Civil Rights / Nothing About Us, Without Us — REGISTER HERE
February 2nd — Topic: Employment & Day Services — REGISTER HERE
February 9th — Topic: Barriers to Transportation — REGISTER HERE
February 16th — Topic: Caregiving of Children & Adults — REGISTER HERE
February 23rd —Topic: Meeting All Needs in Education — REGISTER HERE
March 2nd — Topic: Healthcare for People with IDD — REGISTER HERE
Before each meeting, consider a situation you have experienced in your life that highlights policy needs or service gaps, related either to your disability or to your role as a parent or caregiver. Come ready to share that story! (Click here to learn more about the legislative priorities of community groups and coalitions within the wider disability community in our state.)
How to Get Involved in Advocacy! Thanks to the gift of modern technology, you can engage in advocacy efforts without ever leaving your home. Here are a few steps you can take right now, and in the weeks and months ahead:
- Watch this pre-Legislative Session video, by The Arc of Washington State, to learn more about the upcoming Advocacy Days and issues important to the IDD community: be/TQRTBKZ37ec.
- Use this handy “District Finder” tool to search for your home address and discover both your state and Federal representatives: leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder.
- Track legislative bills and learn more about them at leg.wa.gov/billinfo
- Participate in one of The Arc’s 2022 Advocacy Days via Zoom, or contact your representatives on your own to tell them which issues are important to you and your family, and whether you support or oppose a specific bill(s).
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Whitney Stohr is a Parent to Parent Coordinator at The Arc of Snohomish County. She is passionate about advocating for medically complex children and children with disabilities and their families. She is a mom and medical caregiver herself, who is energized by working closely with other parent/family caregivers. She lives with her three-year-old son Malachi and husband Jason in Lynnwood. Connect with her on Instagram @rollin.w.spinabifida. Contact: whitney@arcsno.org.