In Washington people who receive services through Community First Choice (CFC) and other waiver services can access up to $500.00 per year to access assistive technology. People can request assistive technology that helps the person perform an activity of daily living. People can purchase equipment or programs that can help them in their life. There
On August 20, 2019, Allies in Advocacy named Betty Schwieterman, State Developmental Disabilities Ombuds, their “Ally of the Year.” Betty accepted the award and addressed the audience. “Thank you for naming me an ally – it means the world to me. I am so grateful to be recognized by such a powerful group of advocates.
The DD Ombuds staff can help resolve complaints about services. It is the goal of the DD Ombuds to work with people with developmental disabilities to resolve their complaints at the lowest possible level. All communications about complaints are confidential. You can make complaints to the DD Ombuds over the phone or online. More information
Informing Families, a resource provided by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, offers trusted news and information to empower individuals and families to be active participants in planning and building a network of support and opportunities. The Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds recently did a livestream interview with Informing Families to tell people about our
The 2019 Community Summit in Washington State took place this past June. This year the Summit had a focus on art and entertainment. People discussed how to advocate through video, music, social media and other avenues. The keynote speaker Caelynn Lea kicked off the Summit by talking about being a musician with a disability and
2019 marks the DD Ombuds Office’s second year attending and participating in the Community Summit! This year, the Community Summit hosted a number of incredible tech demos that showed off the interesting and at times unexpected assistive uses for technology. Some devices included mechanical limbs, custom switches for use with computers and games, phones with
Nebraskans with disabilities offer the following advice to support staff and service providers: Don’t be scared of me. Remember this is my home, not yours. Give me space when I ask for it. I have the right to say “No”. Teach me, don’t do it for me. Explain things in a way I can understand.
The DD Ombuds recognizes Allyship is critical to our work, and a cornerstone of the disability rights movement. What is allyship? This website offers insightful guidance. https://theantioppressionnetwork.com/allyship/?fbclid=IwAR19c-qIjv57SRI-Lir2zi9DuGdi2t_j16aIMzUu4nOPWHEOMlTD8HbpaWs
Mental Health Month is a time to discuss, examine, raise awareness, and advocate about mental health and wellness. Nearly one in five adults in the United States live with a mental health condition. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in people’s lives. People
The Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds began investigating complaints about individuals with disabilities who were stuck in a hospital without a medical need, and late last year we wrote a report on the issue, that you can read here. DD Ombuds Hospital Report Now, the issue has been covered by King5’s own Susannah Frame, who
