The Arc of King County

07/30/2026

07/29/2026

The primary is Tuesday, August 4. Have you voted yet? 🗳️ (ballot box emoji)
Here are some resources for you:

What's on the Ballot webinar recording: https://youtu.be/clczGV-JEVU
Companion guide: https://bit.ly/2026VotingFAQ
Links to candidate websites and donor information: https://bit.ly/VoterGuideCandidateList
Who filled out The Arc's disability questionnaire (federal & state): https://arcwa.org/advocacy/2026-elections/

In the primary, we're deciding top 2 candidates for federal, state and county legislative districts. Job 1 for legislators? Passing budgets that fund the services we rely on (or cut them).

Information and resources to support voting in the August 4 Primary...

07/29/2026

Want to help make walking, biking, and rolling safer and more accessible in Washington? Apply to join the Washington State Active Transportation Community Advisory Council.

A community advisory council is a group of people from the community who share their experiences and ideas to help a government agency make decisions about programs, plans, and projects. Active transportation means getting around by walking, biking, or rolling. For example, you might walk to school, ride your bike to the grocery store, or use a wheelchair to get to the bus stop.

Meetings are held monthly starting in October. Stipends are available for participation. The term runs through March 2028.

Learn more and apply: https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/atd-community-advisory-council

07/28/2026

https://bit.ly/DDCS_Forum

Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) wants to hear from you!

They are hosting a community meeting for Region 2 on Thursday, July 30, from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. At this meeting, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families can share ideas about how services are provided and how they could be improved.

You’ll also have a chance to give feedback on changes DDCS is currently considering. This is an opportunity to help make DDCS programs better for the people who use them and the families who support them.

Meetings can be accessed online or by phone. For more information: https://bit.ly/DDCS_Forum

Join the Meeting by clicking the link: https://bit.ly/Region2JulySession
Meeting ID: 285 652 970 540 00
Passcode: LE2Pz9Cr

Not sure what region you are in, click this link for a regional map https://bit.ly/DDCS_Regions

07/28/2026

Help us spread the word to families who may benefit from this free community event! 💙

🌟 FREE Health Screenings
🎒 FREE Back-to-School Kits

Join Special Olympics Washington for the Healthy Young Athletes Screening Event on Saturday, August 15! Children ages 2-7, with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, can receive free developmental health screenings, connect with local resources, and meet one-on-one with a pediatrician. Families may also receive referrals and recommendations for next steps when appropriate. Every participating child will receive a free back-to-school kit with a backpack, water bottle, and other fun items that encourage healthy, active play.

📍 Seattle Play Garden, 1745 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
🗓️ Saturday, August 15
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
✅ Free for children ages 2-7
✅ Open to children with and without IDD

Register by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/HYARegistration

07/27/2026

The future of Parent to Parent is still in limbo. The governor is looking for cuts especially in programs created or expanded after 2019. Parent to Parent started in WA in 1980. In 2016, the state legislature (not the governor) added the program to state law (app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=71A.14.120) and stated the goal of expanding the program to all counties by 2021. The state met that goal and Parent to Parent now serves all 39 counties, for less than $1 million a year.

“They understand everything that you’re going through, the grief and the joy that exists in every day, and they walk through it with you. It’s everything to our family.”

Parents of children with developmental disabilities fear the unexpected and potentially imminent elimination of a Washington support program.

07/26/2026

🍦 You're invited! Join The Arc of King County for our Annual Ice Cream Social on Saturday, August 15!

This free community event is open to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, friends, and supporters. Come enjoy complimentary ice cream, connect with your community, and celebrate summer together.

📅 August 15, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
🍦 Ice cream served from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
📍 Meadow Crest Playground
3000 NE 16th St, Renton, WA

No RSVP required. We can't wait to see you there!

Questions? Email us at [email protected].

07/24/2026

👉Happening this Sunday! Disability Pride at the Woodland Park Zoo.

🎉Celebrate Disability Pride Day at Woodland Park Zoo! Together, we can honor the strength, diversity, and contributions of the disability community while enjoying a day of connection, inclusion, and fun.

💞As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, we know that pride isn't limited to a single month—it's something we choose, celebrate, and live every day.

Disability Pride is July 26, 10am-2pm
Join Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Public Library in celebration of Disability Pride Month. Community members with disabilities, both visible and invisible, and their families, friends, and allies are invited to spend the day at the zoo for free and enjoy inclusive activities, stories, and resources throughout the event. Thank you to the presenting sponsor, Premera Blue Cross. Get the scoop: zoo.org/event/disability-pride/

07/22/2026

Healthcare for all kids?
“There are about 4.5 million kids in this country that do not have health care. That’s a lot of a lot of kids. One in out of every three kids in this country are underinsured, which is that they do not have health insurance that covers their needs. So we’re talking 23 million underinsured, 4.5 million no health insurance at all.”

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect that the program is under Medicaid. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) on Tuesday unveiled a proposal for all American children to receive Medicaid, a pro…

07/21/2026

Celebrate Disability Pride in the arts! https://bit.ly/2026Illuminate

Experience moving stories, imaginative work, and authentic disabled voices at ILLUMINATE 2026. Presented by Sound Theatre Company, this festival features performances, play readings, film, and conversations that highlight the talent, viewpoints, and experiences of the disability community.

Upcoming Dates/Times:
Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 PM — Short play readings
Monday, July 27 at 7:00 PM — Panel discussion on producing disabled artists
Seattle Center Theatre Black Box. More info: https://bit.ly/2026Illuminate