New Disability Documentary: “Together They Were Stronger”

Together They Were Stronger The Arc Amplified

New Disability Documentary: “Together They Were Stronger”

On May 25th, 2022, at the University of Washington Haring Center for Inclusive Education, more than 300 participants joined together for the debut showing of the new documentary short-film Together They Were Stronger.

“Together They Were Stronger, produced by Thriving Communities, documents the story of how four Seattle women mounted a civil rights campaign to establish the first-ever disability rights law in the United States, [House Bill/HB 90].” (Read more: tinyurl.com/3tvjsxk5.)

Together They Were Stronger Washington Governor Dan Evans signed what became known as the Education for All Act in 1971. This law guaranteed for students with disabilities in Washington State the right to receive an education in state public schools. This law would eventually provide the framework for the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is now the legal foundation for special education and early intervention/birth-to-three services across the U.S.

(Pictured: Gov. Dan Evans with Northwest Center founders Janet Taggart [left], Cecile Lindquist, Evelyn Chapman and Katie Dolan, alongside University of Washington law students Bill Dussault and George Edensword-Breck. Photo from Washington State Archives.)

Following the premiere showing of the film on May 25th, a panel discussion and Q&A was held that featured panelists:

Janet Taggart, founder of Northwest Center
Bill Dussault, legal author at Dussault Law Relationship Foundation
Stacy Dym, The Arc of Washington State
Ilene Schwartz, UW Haring Center
Amy Dussault, Northshore School District
Ivanova L. Smith, Self-Advocates in Leadership (SAIL)
Jerry Millhon and Hannah Guggenheim, film producers
Gene Boes, Northwest Center

Watch the event recording and discussion panel online at youtu.be/fZeNth7l8UA.

Access the full event packet and additional information at tinyurl.com/269zz2nx.

Did you miss the debut showing? No problem! View it online at vimeo.com/714609859.

Check it out!! This film captures exactly what parent/caregiver leadership and advocacy can look like and how it can change our communities, our state and every state.

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Whitney Stohr is the Leadership & Independent Living Program Manager 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 spouse and their four-year-old son Malachi in Lynnwood. Connect with her on Instagram @rollin.w.spinabifida. Contact: whitney@arcsno.org.