Statement in response to Senator’s offensive use of the R-word slur in floor debate

/in , /by Katie Gustainis

CONTACT: Stacy Dym, media@arcwa.org, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State

—

The following statement is from Stacy Dym, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State, the state’s oldest grassroots organization advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families for over 90 years, in response to the use of a slur for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the floor of the Washington State Senate.

“It is appalling that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities must witness the use of such dehumanizing language by their elected official, especially as the legislature is already considering sweeping $30 million cuts to disability services and eliminating coverage of essential physical and occupational therapies for all Medicaid recipients. The Senator’s comments are unacceptable in all contexts, and they unfortunately contribute to the further erosion of the humanity of people with developmental disabilities who deserve to live and work as valued members of their communities.

Although the R-word was introduced as a neutral medical term for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities over sixty years ago, it quickly became a cruel insult that carried the painful weight of discrimination, harassment, stigma, and prejudice. Language matters, especially from our leaders, and this word is no longer acceptable to use outside of historical documents.

If the legislature truly wants to prioritize the humanity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, they should pay close attention to what’s in their budgets and their current proposal to effectively shut the front door on disability services in Washington state.”

—

The details of the devastating $30 million cut being proposed for disability services can be found here in a recent press release from The Arc of Washington State.

You can take action HERE to write to your legislators now and urge them to stop these proposed cuts to essential disability services.

The details of the proposed elimination of coverage for physical and occupational therapies for adult Medicaid recipients can be found here in a recent joint press release. 

—

Recent newspaper coverage of the Senator’s use of the slur and his subsequent refusal to apologize can be found here:

WA GOP senator uses slur on Senate floor, doubles down – March 6, 2026, The Seattle Times, by Sophia Sostrin

Spokane Valley Sen. Leonard Christian draws rebuke over ‘inflaming’ remarks in floor speech, March 5, 2026, The Spokesman-Review, by Mitchell Roland

WA senator refuses to apologize for inflammatory remark, March 5, 2026, Washington State Standard, by Jake Goldstein-Street

 

 

 

Disability advocates warn of budget cut based on incorrect estimate of underspent funds

/in , /by Stacy Dym

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 3, 2026

CONTACT: Stacy Dym, media@arcwa.org, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State

Legislative budget proposals will “shut the front door” for disability services based on incorrect estimate of underspent funds

OLYMPIA, WA – A statewide alliance of sixty-eight organizations are warning the legislature that the proposed budgets in the House and the Senate will force the state to stop providing services for any new individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including recent high school graduates.

The alliance, including the statewide membership of the Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities, is urging the legislature to immediately reject their proposed cuts to waiver services provided by the Developmental Disabilities Community Services. The $30 million cuts in both budgets are being proposed as an opportunity to “sweep” projected underspend by the department. The Office of Financial Management (OFM) has verified that numbers are based on inaccurate estimates of underspend that had already been “swept” back in the 2025-27 biennial budget. The coalition is urging the legislature to demand a corrected fiscal analysis.

The group sent a letter outlining their opposition and concerns to Senate and House Budget Committee Chairs on March 2, 2026. The full text of the letter can be viewed at this link.

As written by the Community Advocacy Coalition in the letter:

“These cuts are not grounded in fiscal reality. If they pass, they function the same as eligibility cuts, since DDCS would be forced to shut the front door to services by reducing the cap on waiver enrollment.  All services are impacted when the cap on HCBS waiver enrollment is reduced. This includes residential, employment, respite, family, and therapy supports. Parent to Parent programs, Informing Families, and other community-based family support programming would be the first programs on the chopping block.”

The coalition referenced a letter sent by OFM Director K.D. Chapmen to legislative budget leaders on February 26, 2026 that highlights the miscalculation in the proposed cut. The letter included:

“Both the House and Senate assume savings related to program underspending for the Individual and Family Services (IFS) waiver and employment and day services. The House and Senate budgets assume similar savings of $32 million and $33 million, respectively. These programs have historically been underspent; however, the 2025-27 biennial budget already reduced the IFS budget by $50 million per biennium. The agency does not believe the program can absorb this additional, large reduction without negatively impacting service delivery to clients.

Stacy Dym, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington state, said in a statement:

“The legislature is working under a false assumption that there is money to cut in developmental disability services, but they are disastrously mistaken. They have already made the cuts they’re proposing and if they continue forward, they will be shutting out families in crisis who have nowhere to turn for support. This cut will also leave students with developmental disabilities who are transitioning out of high school completely without services to get jobs, remain independent, and live in their community successfully. This isn’t just unacceptable – it’s a devastating mistake.”

About The Arc of Washington State

In 1936, The Arc of Washington State was formed by parents of institutionalized children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) who believed their children deserved more – to be included in their communities and to pursue fulfillment and happiness just like everyone else. The Arc has played a pivotal role in changing the public perception of disability and demanding better opportunities for every child’s future. The Arc’s mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Learn more about The Arc of Washington State at arcwa.org.

About the Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (CAC)

The Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (CAC) is a grassroots coalition for developmental disabilities that advocates with a common voice for meaningful community living for people with developmental disabilities at the state and local levels. CAC membership consists of any community-based organization that is a nonprofit 501c3, a private business, a chapter of a statewide nonprofit organization, or a governmental association, council, coalition, board or commission that have a primary focus to support, serve and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. The CAC is comprised of over 50 different member organizations that agree to support the core values of the CAC and agree to abide by the group’s responsibilities/rules.

###

Coalition of Disability Advocates Urges Legislature to Reject Proposed Medicaid Changes

/in , /by Stacy Dym

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 4, 2026

CONTACT: Stacy Dym, media@arcwa.org, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State

Disability advocates urge rejection of proposed changes to eligibility for Medicaid-funded community services

OLYMPIA, WA – A statewide alliance of sixty-seven private and non-profit organizations are standing together to oppose Governor Ferguson’s proposal to change functional eligibility criteria for support from Development Disabilities Community Services (DDCS). The group, including the statewide membership of the Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities, is urging the legislature to reject the proposed changes as a false cost-saving tactic that would instead shift costs to crisis systems, reduce federal matching revenue, and remove preventative support that allows people with disabilities to successfully participate in their community. The group sent a letter outlining their opposition and concerns to Senate and House Budget Committee Chairs on January 27, 2026. The full text of the letter can be viewed below or at this link.

To be eligible for state Medicaid Waiver or Personal Care Services through DDCS, individuals must demonstrate functional eligibility – that means that every potential client must undergo an assessment to evaluate whether the meet the established criteria that determines the level and type of care they require. Governor Ferguson’s proposed changes to the criteria would narrow eligibility and cut services for 4,000-5,000 people, including 2,000 to 2,500 people with developmental disabilities on the current caseload.

In their letter to budget writers, advocates identified multiple harmful impacts of changing functional eligibility criteria, including:

  • Lost federal revenue from Medicaid matching dollars
  • Cost-shifting to crisis systems by removing preventative support systems
  • Increasing burnout and burden on family caregivers
  • Delayed access for early intervention in children

Stacy Dym, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State and one of the lead members of the coalition, said about the proposal, “Our state has rightly made the investment to shift care for people with developmental disabilities into a predominantly community-based model. Home and community-based care is the more affordable, the most aligned with research on best outcomes, and the more preferred option for people with disabilities and their families when compared with segregated institutional options. The legislature must stay the course and avoid the false promise of cutting costs by cutting services. For people with developmental disabilities, the need for support does not go away when funding does – it just shifts the stress and chaos into the hospital or emergency services that are not prepared to provide person-centered, personalized care.”

About The Arc of Washington State

In 1936, The Arc of Washington State was formed by parents of institutionalized children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) who believed their children deserved more – to be included in their communities and to pursue fulfillment and happiness just like everyone else. The Arc has played a pivotal role in changing the public perception of disability and demanding better opportunities for every child’s future. The Arc’s mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Learn more about The Arc of Washington State at arcwa.org.

About the Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (CAC)

The Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (CAC) is a grassroots coalition for developmental disabilities that advocates with a common voice for meaningful community living for people with developmental disabilities at the state and local levels. CAC membership consists of any community-based organization that is a nonprofit 501c3, a private business, a chapter of a statewide nonprofit organization, or a governmental association, council, coalition, board or commission that have a primary focus to support, serve and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. The CAC is comprised of over 50 different member organizations that agree to support the core values of the CAC and agree to abide by the group’s responsibilities/rules.

###

The full text of the letter can be viewed below or at this link.

CAC Letter to Legislature - 2026.1.27

MEDIA: Legislators call for bipartisan support of community living

/in , /by Katie Gustainis

Senator Chris Gildon (R) and Representative Janice Zahn (D) have called for bipartisan support of their bill the reduce inefficiencies and make investments in community living go farther for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read the whole editorial at this link: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-should-offer-people-with-disabilities-dignity-choice/

Here’s how WA can preserve services for people with disabilities

January 9, 2026, The Seattle Times, by Chris Gildon and Janice Zahn

Washington cannot afford to waste taxpayer dollars on redundant bureaucracy, especially when such inefficiencies get in the way of providing direct services for people in need. This could not be more true when it comes to direct support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It must be a priority during our upcoming 60-day legislative session as we work to manage a difficult state budget situation.

Our goal is simple: streamline oversight of Supported Living services so limited Medicaid funds go further, caregivers spend more time with clients and taxpayers see real value for every dollar spent. That’s why we are working together on bipartisan legislation (SB 6024 and HB 2230) to cut wasteful redundancies, preserve rigorous and focused oversight and direct more of the budget to where it will do the most good.

Because state law requires a balanced budget, and as lawmakers we face another multibillion‑dollar shortfall in 2026, our choice is clear: Either cut services for vulnerable Washingtonians or make existing programs more efficient so we can preserve and strengthen care without relying on new money.

Roughly 4,700 Washingtonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities live in their own homes with the help of Supported Living services. These services are almost entirely funded by Medicaid, which covers the wages of direct support professionals — often providing care 24 hours a day, seven days a week — as well as the administrative systems that connect people with the right support in their communities. There are about 14,000 trained DSPs in our state, and a Supported Living home with three clients relies on 10 direct support professionals to provide care, though many homes have fewer than three clients so that each setting is appropriate for each client’s behavioral health. For example, DSPs help with daily care such as personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning, managing prescriptions, budgeting, grocery shopping and supporting connections in the community. This model is less costly than state‑run facilities, keeps people in their familiar neighborhoods and is already subject to multiple layers of public oversight.

Public oversight of Medicaid programs like Supported Living is important for protecting the interests of taxpayers and the well-being of Supported Living clients. However, over the years, many disparate new policies and agency programs have created overlap and redundancies in this oversight…(Read the rest at this link)

 

MEDIA: Editorial by Stacy Dym urges protection of community services

/in , , /by Katie Gustainis

The Seattle Times published a powerful guest editorial by Stacy Dym, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State. Read the beginning here and the rest at this link: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-should-offer-people-with-disabilities-dignity-choice/

WA should offer people with disabilities dignity, choice

December 18, 2025, The Seattle Times, by Stacy Dym

“Pink-painted walls. A cat. The freedom to eat popcorn while you watch your favorite TV show. These aren’t luxuries, but they felt that way to my sister when she was finally moved from a state institution for the developmentally disabled into a community-based group home almost 40 years ago.

Thanks to the expansion of state home and community-based services (HCBS), she was allowed to waive her so-called “right” to live in a restrictive institutional environment. Instead, she could choose a home in the community that gave her freedoms most of us take for granted while still providing the care she needed.

Dignity, for her, was as simple as a choice.

Today, 78% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington state live with family for the majority of their lifetime. This is largely because there’s nowhere else for them to go.

Although large institutions are no longer the norm, home and community-based services have never received a comparable level of investment in our state. Today, almost one-third of people with IDD who’ve been identified by the state are still waiting for a chance to live in the community.

When family resources run dry, caregivers age or someone gets sick (and they will), crisis is imminent. For people with complex health or behavioral needs, many get stuck for years in the hospital, state institutions or unfit environments that were never meant to be permanent placements.

Now, as our Legislature stares over a fiscal cliff, people with developmental disabilities and their families are terrified about what lies ahead…” (Read the rest at this link).

RELEASE: Disability advocates letter to DSHS urges alternative campus uses for Rainier School

/in , /by Stacy Dym

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 12, 2025

CONTACT: Stacy Dym, stacy@arcwa.org, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State

Closing the Rainier School: Disability advocacy organizations urge DSHS Secretaries to seek alternative campus uses

SEATTLE, WA – The Arc of Washington State and seven affiliated local chapters of The Arc sent a letter this week to the interim and incoming directors of The Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS) urging them to continue their transition away from the existing, outdated institutional model for care of people with developmental disabilities. Attached to the letter, The Arc included their full answers to the four questions posed in a DSHS ninety-day public comment period that resulted from SSB 5393: Closing the Rainier School.

In their recommendations for how to mitigate the impacts of closure, The Arc reminds the state of Washington’s long history of supporting hundreds of previous residents and families during successful transitions from RHCs to community-based care over the past several decades. They cite the specific transition planning guidelines that are outlined in numerous legislative reports from 2019 through 2023 and urge the prioritization of person-centered planning. They acknowledge that while some institutions have provided necessary care in the past, we now have the capacity and responsibility to offer something better: person-centered, inclusive services that support individuals to live, work, and thrive in the communities of their choice.

Despite fervent, decades-long advocacy to close congregate institutions like Rainier School (also called a Residential Habilitation Center, or RHC) led by people with intellectual and development disabilities who are directly at-risk of institutionalization, the state legislature allowed logistical concerns to delay the closure of Rainier School and impede our progress towards a more just, compassionate, and inclusive system of care for people with developmental disabilities.

The Arc wrote in their concluding answer of the public comment:

“The Rainier School campus represents valuable state assets that can better serve Washington residents through alternative uses aligned with evidence-based practices and civil rights principles. The current campus utilization represents a significant underuse of state resources and flies in the face of current research on outcomes and civil rights protections for people with developmental disabilities. Any alternative use should maximize the productive capacity of this substantial state investment. A thoughtful transition process can honor the economic needs of Buckley, protect state employment, and redirect these resources toward other populations who could benefit from comprehensive residential services delivered in a more appropriate and effective manner.”

About The Arc of Washington State

In 1936, The Arc of Washington State was formed by parents of institutionalized children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) who believed their children deserved more – to be included in their communities and to pursue fulfillment and happiness just like everyone else. The Arc has played a pivotal role in changing the public perception of disability and demanding better opportunities for every child’s future. The Arc’s mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Learn more about The Arc of Washington State at arcwa.org.

###

DSHS Letter - Rainier Public Comment - 9.9.2025
A group of approximately 50 adults gathered for a group photo and smiling at the camera

Washington State hosts first bipartisan national Developmental Disabilities Legislative Symposium

/in , /by Stacy Dym

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 18, 2025

CONTACT: Stacy Dym, stacy@arcwa.org, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State

 

Washington State hosts first bipartisan national Developmental Disabilities Legislative Symposium

SEATTLE, WA – Washington state Representative Jamila Taylor (D-30) convened state legislators from across the country in Seattle June 11-13, for the first bipartisan national Developmental Disabilities Legislative Symposium. Legislators worked together over three days to address critical federal and state-level policies impacting the care and treatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families across the country. The symposium was coordinated by The Arc of Washington State.

“This week we established a national working cohort of legislators who will prioritize people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families,” said Representative Jamila Taylor, symposium co-host, chair of the bipartisan Developmental Disability (DD) Advocacy Caucus in the Washington state legislature, and the twin sibling to her brother who has a developmental disability. “With our national debate about the role of Medicaid and state responsibilities coming to heightened levels, Washington state’s DD Advocacy Caucus is leading the national conversation about how we can collectively call out systemically ableist, arbitrary, and oppressive policies that keep people with IDD and their families from thriving.  I am proud of the work we’ve done and am ready to move this cohort and our country forward from talk into action.”

On Friday, June 13th, the third day of the symposium, members of the Washington IDD community were invited to join legislators for a day of roundtable conversations. Attendees discussed strategies for addressing gaps in services, storytelling for policy change, housing options, technology access, and how to meet the needs of people with IDD from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The symposium was coordinated by The Arc of Washington State, the state’s oldest grassroots advocacy organization representing people with IDD and their families. “This kind of gathering of community members and elected officials is an essential part of the democratic process,” said Stacy Dym, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State. “In order to ensure that we are building solutions that center the humanity of people with IDD, we must first start by sharing our stories and creating space for authentic connection and dialogue. I look forward to working alongside our legislative champions to address the community’s top priority issues in 2026 and beyond.”

Representative Darya Farivar (D-46), a founding member of the Developmental Disability Advocacy Caucus, supported the logistics of the symposium. “It was a privilege to gather with so many dedicated community members and legislators to discuss issues and strategies to strengthen a responsive, community-based, person-centered system of care,” said Representative Farivar. “This gathering was an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and permanence of disability identities, the influence of cultures, and knowledge systems which have shaped and continue to impact our care systems at large. Now, we must work together to protect the civil rights and essential, life-saving services for people with IDD.”

Although DD Advocacy caucus member Representative Stephanie Barnard (R-8) was unable to attend in person, she welcomed the symposium’s attendees with a short video: “We are finally building a cohort that is dedicated to prioritizing the IDD community,” she told to legislators gathered. “Events like this create transformational change. This issue transcends party lines because we feel this to our core. Our community as a whole will benefit from our collective focus on people with developmental disabilities. Why are inclusive societies so strong? Because we’re better together.”

About The Arc of Washington State

In 1936, The Arc of Washington State was formed by parents of institutionalized children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) who believed their children deserved more – to be included in their communities and to pursue fulfillment and happiness just like everyone else. The Arc has played a pivotal role in changing the public perception of disability and demanding better opportunities for every child’s future. The Arc’s mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Learn more about The Arc of Washington State at arcwa.org.

###