WA State IL Council

06/24/2026

📅 Únete a nosotros: Sesiones de Participación Comunitaria de SPIL Nuestra comunidad prospera cuando la construimos juntos. Estamos organizando una serie de presentaciones virtuales para desglosar exactamente qué es el Plan Estatal de Vida Independiente (SPIL), por qué importa tu retroalimentación desde la base, y cómo podemos abordar colectivamente las brechas locales en independencia y acceso. Participa en la encuesta: Este es tu espacio para hacer preguntas, compartir ideas y ver cómo la voz de nuestra comunidad se convierte en políticas estatales.

Elige la sesión que mejor se adapte a tu horario:
• 9 de julio (Reunión Trimestral) | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• 18 de agosto | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• 8 de septiembre | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• 19 de septiembre | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• 24 de septiembre | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Accesibilidad y Adaptaciones Estamos totalmente comprometidos a proporcionar un entorno accesible. Se ofrecerá interpretación en lenguaje de señas estadounidense (ASL) y subtitulado CART en todas las sesiones. Si necesita adaptaciones adicionales en vivo para participar plenamente, infórmenos al registrarse o comuníquese con nuestra oficina lo antes posible para que podamos asegurarnos de que se cumplan sus necesidades.

¿Por qué es tan importante completar esta encuesta?
• Tu voz da forma a los próximos tres años: Sus comentarios impulsan directamente el desarrollo del Plan Estatal para la Vida Independiente (SPIL) de Washington. Este plan legalmente requerido determina exactamente cómo se priorizarán los fondos, la defensa y los servicios para la comunidad con discapacidad en todo nuestro estado durante los próximos tres años.
• Necesitamos representación local: Desde King y Pierce hasta Yakima, Stevens y todos los condados intermedios, las necesidades varían drásticamente según la región. Necesitamos una alta participación de todos y cada uno de los condados para asegurarnos de que nuestras comunidades rurales, urbanas y suburbanas no se queden atrás.

Esta encuesta se centra en los pilares más importantes de la vida diaria, incluyendo vivienda asequible y accesible, transporte confiable, la transición de los jóvenes a la adultez y la preparación vital para emergencias.

¿Qué pasa con tu información?
Tus respuestas guiarán las políticas estatales y ayudarán a los Centros Locales de Vida Independiente (CIL) a prestar un mejor servicio en tu vecindario. Si lo solicitas al final de la encuesta, también usaremos tu información de contacto para conectarte directamente con recursos para crear un plan de emergencia personal o para ponerte en contacto con tus defensores locales de la vida independiente. El cambio solo ocurre cuando la comunidad es tomada en cuenta. Tómate unos minutos para completar la encuesta, planea asistir a uno de nuestros próximos eventos y ¡ayúdanos a difundir la información! Adjunto a este correo encontrarás volantes promocionales y códigos QR para que los compartas con tus redes personales y los publiques en tus redes sociales.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScI5mqScn6VNmC7VuQPcND1la4D196sWqfFn9DBWVKP2z4QBg/viewform

¡Gracias por tu tiempo, tu experiencia y tu compromiso para construir un Washington sin barreras!

06/24/2026

📅 Join Us: SPIL Community Engagement Sessions
Our community thrives when we build it together. We are hosting a series of virtual presentations to break down exactly what the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is, why your grassroots feedback matters, and how we can collectively address local gaps in independence and access.

Take survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx_9UMSHzny-cT7bN-SCrnzOqChmrcvQOceXrTXDdvR3t_XQ/viewform

This is your space to ask questions, share insights, and see how our community's voice turns into statewide policy. Choose the session that works best for your schedule:

• July 9th (Quarterly Meeting) | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• August 18th | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• September 8th | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• September 19th | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• September 24th | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Accessibility & Accommodations
We are fully committed to providing an accessible environment. ASL interpreting and CART captioning will be provided for all sessions. If you require additional live accommodations to fully participate, please let us know when registering or contact our office as soon as possible so we can ensure your needs are met.

Why is filling out this survey so important?
• Your Voice Shapes the Next Three Years: Your feedback directly drives the development of Washington’s State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). This legally required plan dictates exactly how funding, advocacy, and services will be prioritized for the disability community across our state over the next three years.
• We Need Local Representation: From King and Pierce to Yakima, Stevens, and every county in between, needs vary drastically by region. We need high participation from every single county to ensure our rural, urban, and suburban communities are not left behind.
• Real Impact on Key Issues: This survey targets the most critical pillars of daily life—including affordable and accessible housing, reliable transportation, youth transitions to adulthood, and vital emergency preparedness.

What happens with your information?
Your answers will guide statewide policy and help local Centers for Independent Living (CIL) better serve your neighborhood. If you request it at the end of the survey, we will also use your contact information to connect you directly with resources to build a personal emergency plan or to get in touch with your local independent living advocates.

Change only happens when the community is counted. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, plan to attend one of our upcoming events, and help us spread the word! Attached to this email are the promotional flyers and QR codes for you to share with your personal networks and post on your social media channels.

Thank you for your time, your expertise, and your commitment to building a barrier-free Washington.
In solidarity,
Washington Statewide Independent Living Council (WASILC)

06/22/2026

My heart is so incredibly full today. ❤️
Conversations start somewhere, and connecting our first responders directly with individuals who have lived experience doesn’t just build understanding—it saves lives. I am so deeply proud and honored that WASILC could support this powerful event.
A special, heartfelt thank you to Sue Pniewski and Jim House for leading the way with so much grace, dedication, and vision. You inspire us all. 🌟
I also want to share a major, intentional thank you to every single person who showed up and leaned into this day. We had first responders, law enforcement, legislators, service providers, and self-advocates all sitting together, sharing perspectives, and creating a truly beautiful, well-rounded learning environment.
Seeing our community come together like this makes me so proud of the work we do. I’m already looking forward to keeping this momentum going and hosting more of these vital conversations!

06/18/2026

In observance of Juneteenth, the WASILC office will be closed on Friday, June 19th.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day to reflect on our nation's history, celebrate Black freedom and culture, and acknowledge the ongoing journey toward true equity.

At WASILC, our commitment to independent living and systemic advocacy is rooted in the belief that freedom and self-determination belong to everyone. We recognize that disability rights and civil rights are deeply interconnected, and we remain dedicated to dismantling barriers and advancing equity for Black disabled individuals across Washington State.

We encourage our community to use this day for rest, reflection, and supporting local Black-owned businesses, organizations, and community events.

06/16/2026

Exciting opportunity for community members!

Shared:

Alliance For Accessibility
Presents
The We Are Not Forgotten Showcase
October 10, 2026
The We Are Not Forgotten Showcase is a community celebration of music, poetry, dance, and artistic expression performed by people with disabilities. Rooted in lived experience, the project embeds accessibility into every aspect of performance, programming, and marketing.
Too often, artists with disabilities and artists of color are excluded from professional platforms and overlooked in cultural programming. The Showcase also raises awareness about the dismantling of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation, which once enforced the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

We invite vendors whishing to hold a booth or table at our event. We encourage organizations in the disability community, food vendors, services providers, retail vendors and all others to join us. To register as a vendor please fill out the registration form using the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckvnMaqukntp57rkbSTJZ_d1Kk7OiSHNASHj7ua8iTwKbbuA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

For more information and questions, please contact Tony Hester at:
[email protected]
or 206-434-6793

This program is supported in part by the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission.

06/09/2026

Shared: National Council on Independent Living

Washington Leaders Selected to Present at National Independence Conference
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) has updated the agenda and released the full workshop schedule for its 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living, taking place this July in Washington, D.C.
Among the national line-up, Washington State will be prominently represented. WASILC Executive Director Courtney Williams and Jim House, Program Manager for the Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning (CIEP), have been selected to present their workshop, "Architects of Resilience: A New Model for SILC-Led Systems Advocacy in Emergency Management."
Workshop Spotlight: Architects of Resilience
Housed under the conference tracks designed to share actionable, real-world impact strategies, this presentation will highlight Washington's innovative framework for embedding disability equity directly into emergency management. Williams and House will detail how systemic, state-level advocacy can ensure that access and functional needs are integrated into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery before a crisis hits.
Why This Matters for Washington—Now and in the Future
People with disabilities face disproportionately higher risks during disasters, making inclusive planning a matter of fundamental civil rights. This national selection underscores Washington's position as a blueprint leader in emergency equity:
Elevating the "Whole Community" Approach: This presentation shares Washington’s concrete successes in moving emergency management away from reactive planning and toward proactive, community-led resilience models.
Sustaining a Permanent Seat at the Table: Securing a national platform reinforces the necessity of maintaining permanent, structural partnerships between state emergency planners and disability advocates.
Disaster landscapes will continue to shift with climate realities and infrastructure changes. By solidifying these advocacy frameworks today, Washington ensures that the core principle—Nothing About Us Without Us—remains standard operational policy for safeguarding the entire community permanently.
Conference Details at a Glance
The updated schedule features interactive sessions, peer collaboration, and targeted tracks, including Advocacy in Action, Empowered to Lead, Building Resilient Organizations, and Strengthening Connections.
Full Workshop Schedule: https://bit.ly/49LbS2F
Complete Conference Agenda: https://bit.ly/4fuIZvn
The National Council on Independent Living looks forward to welcoming advocates, presenters, and leaders to the capital this July!

The agenda for NCIL’s 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living has been updated with new details, and the full workshop schedule is now available on our website.

- Workshops: https://bit.ly/49LbS2F
- Agenda: https://bit.ly/4fuIZvn

Workshops are organized into tracks such as Advocacy in Action, Empowered to Lead, Building Resilient Organizations, and Strengthening Connections. Tracks help attendees find sessions that match their interests. Each listing includes a description, presenter bios, target audience, and experience level to support planning.

Sessions will cover timely topics like funding strategies for the disability rights movement, protecting independence in the age of surveillance technology, strengthening services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and so much more.

These interactive workshops emphasize practical strategies, collaboration, and real-world impact. Visit the conference website to explore the agenda.

We can’t wait to welcome you this July!

Image: National Council on Independent Living logo features a multi-colored fingerprint.

06/09/2026

Registration is still open for Operational Connection 2026.
We’re bringing first responders, emergency managers, and the disability community together to build stronger, more inclusive emergency plans. Join us for a day of critical networking, strategy, and hands-on training.

Please join us in person (no virtual this time)

📍 Location: Northeast Community Center (4001 N. Cook St., Spokane, WA 99207)
📅 Date: Thursday, June 18th, 2026
🕒 Time: 08:30 AM – 04:00 PM

Exclusive Perks for Attendees:
🍴 Free lunch provided
🎒 "Go Bag" kits provided

Spaces are limited to ensure productive collaboration—secure your spot today!

👉 https://bit.ly/4bza9xh

06/02/2026

Spokane, you’re up next! 🚨 Registration is open for Operational Connection 2026.

We’re bringing first responders, emergency managers, and the disability community together to build stronger, more inclusive emergency plans. Join us for a day of critical networking, strategy, and hands-on training.

📍 Location: Northeast Community Center (4001 N. Cook St., Spokane, WA 99207)

📅 Date: Thursday, June 18th, 2026

🕒 Time: 08:30 AM – 04:00 PM

Exclusive Perks for Attendees:

🍴 Free lunch provided

🎒 "Go Bag" kits provided

Spaces are limited to ensure productive collaboration—secure your spot today!

👉 https://bit.ly/4bza9xh

05/28/2026

📢 Your Voice. Our Laws. Nothing About Us Without Us! 📢
The Washington Statewide Independent Living Council (WASILC) is moving full steam ahead, and we want YOU to be part of the movement shaping the future of independent living in Washington! From youth leadership to legislative action, our committees are hard at work creating a more inclusive, accessible, and resilient state.
Here is a look at what we are tackling right now and how you can get involved:
🏛️ Legislative Committee: Advocacy in Action
Decisions are made by those who show up! We are already building the strategy for our next major rollout. If you want to dive into policy analysis, build relationships with lawmakers, or help elevate lived-experience perspectives directly to Olympia, we need you on the committee.
📅 Mark Your Calendar: Legislative Advocacy Day is set for April 2, 2027! Join us now to help set the strategy.
💡 Education & Outreach Committee: Connect. Educate. Empower.
We believe every Washingtonian deserves the resources they need to live independently. Through our comprehensive action plan, we are driving impact in four key areas:
Operation Connection: Multi-city outreach tours connecting rural and urban communities.
Disability Justice Education: Sharing the deep history and clear future vision of our movement.
Information Access: Creating plain-talk, multi-language, fully accessible resources.
Community Engagement: Building strong partnerships with local organizations.
🌟 Amplifying Youth Voice
We are actively building an inclusive committee that includes youth and young adults with disabilities, advocates, and stakeholders from across the state. If you are between 16 and 24 years old, we need your unique perspective to help advise the council and promote independent living philosophy!
👋 How to Stand With Us
Whether you are a seasoned advocate or brand new to the legislative process, your perspective is a vital asset. Help us ensure that "Nothing About Us Without Us" is a reality.
👉 Interested in joining a committee or have a policy concern? Send us a message directly or email [email protected] to find out how you can get plugged in today!

05/27/2026

📢 WASILC on the Road: Bringing Emergency Preparedness to Yakima!
The Washington Statewide Independent Living Council (WASILC) is officially on the move! Council Member Susan Pniewski and Jim House, our Certified Emergency Independence Program (CIEP) Manager, ventured to Yakima today for the first stop of our "Operation Connection" community outreach and training series.
Why We Are Here
When disasters or emergencies strike, the cross-disability community is often disproportionately affected. We believe that safety, preparedness, and disaster planning must be fully inclusive and accessible to everyone.
These statewide outreach trainings are designed to:
Empower Individuals: Providing plain-talk, practical strategies and tools for personal disaster preparedness.
Bridge the Gap: Connecting rural and urban communities directly with emergency management resources.
Build Resilience: Ensuring the lived experiences and access needs of people with disabilities are at the forefront of local emergency planning.
Nothing about us, without us—even in emergency management!

The next event will be in Spokane. Register now!

https://bit.ly/4bza9xh

Spokane Session
• Date: Thursday, June 18th, 2026
• Time: 08:30 AM – 04:00 PM
• Location: Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St. Spokane, WA 99207