Image shows a hand under three people. Click to hear our core beliefs.

Our Beliefs

People with all kinds of (dis) ABILITIES have the right to be equal and respected citizens in our communities. We have the right to work, live, have fun, make friends, take risks, and learn to speak up for ourselves. People have the right to make their OWN informed choices.


“Changes I Want to See”

Access a downloadable, printable PDF of the 2024 Legislative Agenda brochure by clicking on the brochure image:

front of the 2024 legislative agenda brochure

Image shows an X over an institution.

CLOSING INSTITUTIONS


BELIEF STATEMENT:
We believe that no person should be segregated from our communities. We believe that appropriate funding to support enhancing community services must be provided.

That is why we want institutions closed. We object to anyone controlling anyone else’s life. We will pledge our support and help to those people who move out to find friends, supports, and resources in their new homes.

Closing Institutions Timeline

    Horizontal Scroll    

  • MARCH 2024

    Nothing About Us Without Us Signed
    !Into Law

    March 26
    video icon    video icon

  • APRIL 2023

    Close RHCs Advocacy Day Rally
    April 5
    video icon

  • APRIL 2023

    Nothing About Us Without Us - Dies in Senate
    April 3
    video icon

  • MARCH 2023

    Open Letter from Advocates Regarding Resignation of DDA Administrator
    document icon

    -->
  • JANUARY 2023

    Shut Them Down Rally
    January 25
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2023

    House Capital Budget Committee
    January 12
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2023

    House Appropriations Committee
    January 11
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2022

    Shut Them Down Rally
    January 26
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2022

    State Government and Tribal Relations-
    HB 1802
    January 13
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2022

    Shut Them Down Newsletter
    January 11
    document icon

  • APRIL 2021

    2021 Capital
    Budget Outcome
    April 26
    document icon

  • MARCH 2021

    House Capital Budget Committee-HB 1080
    March 29
    video icon

  • MARCH 2021

    House Appropriations Committee-HB 1094
    March 27
    video icon

  • MARCH 2021

    Senate Ways and Means Committee-SB 5083
    March 25
    video icon

  • MARCH 2021

    House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee-ESSB 5284: Sub Minimum Wage
    March 12
    video icon

  • MARCH 2021

    People First of Washington Press Conference
    March 31
    video icon

  • MARCH 2021

    The Shut Them Down Coalition’s Letter to Governor Jay Inslee
    March
    document icon

  • JANUARY 2021

    DDA's Report to the Legislature Regarding Implementing SB 6419 (Ruckelshaus Recommendations on RHCs)
    Jan 26
    document icon

  • JANUARY 2021

    House Capital Budget Committee Meeting
    Jan 14
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2021

    House Appropriations Committee Meeting
    Jan 14
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2021

    Senate Ways and Means Committee Meeting
    Jan 12
    video icon

  • DECEMBER 2020

    Second Letter from Advocates to Governor and Ruckelshuaus Taskforce
    document icon

  • NOVEMBER 2020

    A Letter from DRW to WSDSHS Advocating Closing Rainier PAT-C
    document icon

  • OCTOBER 2020

    A Letter to Ruckelshaus Regarding Caring for People with I/DD
    document icon

  • OCTOBER 2020

    KUNI Foundation Report on Housing Insecurity for People with I/DD
    document icon

  • SEPTEMBER 2020

    DRW Letter Advocating Community Supports and No New Nursing Facility at Fircrest
    document icon

  • SEPTEMBER 2020

    DD Ombuds Request for Plain language WACs for DDA Client Rights Bill
    document icon

  • JUNE 2020

    Open Letter from Advocates Regarding Ruckelshaus Recommendations
    document icon

  • APRIL 2020

    Senate Bill 6419 Approved by Governor
    internet icon

  • MARCH 2020

    Senate Bill 6419 Passes State House

  • MARCH 2020

    Letter from Rep Gerry Pollett to Ruckelshaus Center
    document icon

  • FEBRUARY 2020

    Senate Bill 6419 Passes State Senate

  • FEBRUARY 2020

    DRW’s Call for Amendments to the RHC Bills
    video icon document icon

  • JANUARY 2020

    Discussion of Senate Bill 6419 in House Appropriations Committee
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2020

    Discussion of Senate Bill 6419 in House Human Services & Early Learning
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2020

    House Bill 2572
    Senate Bill 6419 Report
    video icon

  • JANUARY 2020

    Senate Bill 6419 Discussion in Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee
    video icon

  • NOVEMBER 2019

    Ruckelshaus Recommendations
    document icon

  • NOVEMBER 2013

    DRW article on Feds Citing 40,000 Violations in Spokane's Lakeland Village
    internet icon

  • JANUARY 2010

    Study on How Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities can be Better Served in Community Settings
    document icon

Key to Timeline Icons


icon for advocates

This icon indicates
actions by advocates.

icon for advocates

This icon indicates
actions by the legislature.

The SHUT THEM DOWN Coalition

Join the Shut Them Down coalition’s fight to defund the building of institutions that segregate people with disabilities.

Bill Fale's Shut Them Down artwork with black lines and yellow, red and blue colors. It shows a stylized person in a wheelchair who is thinking: 'I choose community,' and holding a sign that says 'Shut Them Down. Lettering that says 'We Count Too' is at the bottom.

Letter to
Governor Inslee
from the
Shut Them Down
Coalition:

shows the Shut Them Down Press release

Why Institutions Should be Closed—the Latest Legal Report from Disability Rights Washington:

front of the latest DRW report on why institutions should be closed

Self-Advocates Alternative Proposal to Building New $120 Million Nursing Facility for Fircrest Y Residents:

shows report cover of Alternative Proposal of Advocates.


SHUT THEM DOWN Newsletters

Current Issue:

the first page of the latest Shut Them Down newsletter

Past Issues:

Issue number five of the Shut Them Down newsletter dated February 1, 2022.    February 1, 2022

Issue number four of the Shut Them Down newsletter dated January 3, 2022.    January 3, 2022

Issue number three of the Shut Them Down newsletter dated December 23, 2021.    December 23, 2021

Issue number two of the Shut Them Down newsletter dated April, 2021.    April 2021

Issue number one of the Shut Them Down newsletter dated January 10, 2021.    January 10, 2021


Why It's Crucial to Close Institutions

In 1999, the United States Supreme Court passed a landmark decision, Olmstead vs L.C., requiring states to eliminate unnecessary segregation of persons with disabilities and to ensure that persons with disabilities receive services in the most integrated setting possible.

Yet, Washington State is on track to invest tens of millions into rebuilding the same institutions that over the years, have been at the center of horrific realities. It’s time to change course.


Click on the logos graphic below (or at right) to access links to compelling reports and interviews about the devastating realities of institutions.


Beyond Institutions: The Way Forward


Below is a link to the ADA page with more information on the Olmstead Decision:

Americans with Disabilities Act logo.


The 317 Plan and its impact on developing community-based services in Indiana:

Logo for the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University.  Logo of the Indiana Family and social services administration.


A link to an NPR report on the higher rates of COVID-19 deaths in the I/DD community (features members of People First of Washington):

National Public Radio logo.

Image shows a megaphone.

SELF-ADVOCACY


BELIEF STATEMENT:
We believe that all people have the right to speak up and speak out for themselves.

That is why we want to speak out for ourselves and be heard in all aspects of our lives. What we say needs to be valued and respected whether we use our voices, assistive technology, sign language, or body movements.

“Respectful Language”


Image shows person with a briefcase walking up stairs.

EMPLOYMENT


BELIEF STATEMENT:
We believe that all people have the right to have a job that provides a living wage, opportunity for advancement, and personal fulfillment.

That is why we want jobs that:

  • complement our abilities;
  • provide equal opportunities for competitive wages, benefits and retirement;
  • incorporate choice and change;
  • focus on career advancement;
  • and increase quality of life.
Image shows person considering their own choices.

BELIEF STATEMENT:
We believe that all people have the right to make the decisions that affect and direct their lives.

To support us leading the process, we need equal access to information, resources, facts and supports. The significant people in our lives, such as family, guardians, case managers, co-workers, friends, bosses, and personal support staff should assist us in a self-directed process to form these decisions.


DDA client rights were established in 2020. You can OPEN A PRINT VERSION HERE, or listen to it here:


Videos on DDA Client Rights

Overview

Personal Power

Making Choices

Planning

Discharge and Termination of Services

Information, Grievances and Appeals

Image shows people standing together.

BELIEF STATEMENT:
We believe it is our human right to be included equally in our community without limitations.

  • Inclusion means that everyone is valued, respected, and included in their communities in ways that are meaningful to them.
  • Inclusion is more than access to buildings and bathrooms and buses.
  • Real inclusion means that people with disabilities have equal access to information and support to understand and use it in their own lives. We each have an important role to play to make inclusion a priority and a reality in our community.

Image shows person in wheelchair boarding a bus.

BELIEF STATEMENT:
We believe that all people have the right to get where they need or want to go.

We deserve equal opportunities to utilize public transportation for work, medical needs, education, recreation, family and community activities. Transportation helps to make and keep us independent.

People First of Washington
P.O. Box 11953
Olympia, WA 98508

253-999-7222
krista@pfow.org

Access the People First Zoom Room here:

people first zoom room logo and link.

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