Washington State Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities
Parents of youth with disabilities have unique opportunities to promote their successful transition to postsecondary education, employment, and full adult participation in society. Parents can provide the foundation for young people to become self-determined, learn decision-making skills, and gain access to resources. Families can assist in the transition process by providing direction in exploration of interests, guidance in career and college planning, and encouragement as they pursue their dreams. Parents can help each other, too. As they develop skills in working with their own children they can:
Provide information,
Answer questions,
Recommend resources,
Empower youth and young adults with disabilities,
Network,
Train, and
Support one another.
Parents are most effective when they have up-to-date information, communication, and community resources. The following resources may be particularly helpful in assisting parents in Washington State as their children prepare for college and careers. Compiled with input from many parents, this list includes printed materials, websites, disability-related conferences and organizations, and agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities.
Disability-Specific Organizations
American Foundation for the Blind
212-502-7600
www.afb.org/
The Arc of Washington State
Advocates for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities
1-888-754-8798
360-357-5596
arcwa.org/
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
800-939-1019
add.org/
Autism Society of America
800-328-8476
autismsociety.org/
Brain Injury Alliance of Washington
206-467-4800
www.biawa.org
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
301-306-7070
chadd.org/
Deaf-Blind Service Center (DBSC)
206-323-3644 (TTY)
seattledbsc.org/
Epilepsy Foundation Northwest
206-487-5251
800-322-1000 (toll free)
www.epilepsywashington.org
The FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) Family Resource Institute
fetalalcoholsyndrome.org/
Hearing, Speech, and Deafness Center
206-323-5770
888-222-5036 (toll free phone)
206-388-1275 (TTY)
800-761-2821 (toll free TTY)
www.hsdc.org/
Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
800-422-7930 (voice/TTY)
www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh
Spina Bifida Association of Washington State
253-589-3700
888-289-3702 (toll free)
sbaws.org/
Telecommunications Relay Services
800-833-6384 or 711
800-833-6388 (TTY); 711 (TTY)
www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh/telecommunication
Washington Sensory Disabilities Services
360-947-3297
wsds.wa.gov/
Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
206-615-0400
800-542-0866 (toll free)
www.wtbbl.org/
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind
800-552-7103
dsb.wa.gov/
Education and Employment
Center for Change in Transition Services
206-296-6494
www.seattleu.edu/ccts
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)
206-685-3648
888-972-3648 (voice/TTY)
www.uw.edu/doit/
Oregon Office on Disability and Health (OHSU)
503-494-1205
www.ohsu.edu/oregon-office-on-disability-and-health
Special Education Guide
www.specialeducationguide.com
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
303-541-0200
www.wiche.edu/
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
360-709-4600
wtb.wa.gov/
Health and Community Resources
Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD)
206-543-7701
depts.washington.edu/chdd/
Children's Hospital Medical Center
206-987-2000
866-987-2000 (toll free)
206-987-0391 (TTY)
www.seattlechildrens.org
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program
360-236-3573
doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/infants-and-children/health-and-safety/children-and-youth-special-health-care-needs
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington
206-520-5000 (out patient)
206-598-8161 (in patient)
rehab.washington.edu
PROVAIL
206-363-7303
888-810-0745 (toll free)
provail.org/
Shriners Hospitals for Children
813-2811-8162
www.shrinerschildrens.org/en
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
www.ilru.org/projects/silc-net/silc-directory
Summit Assistance Dogs
360-293-5609
summitdogs.org/
Washington State Client Assistance Program
206-849-2939 (voice and text)
www.washingtoncap.org
Organizations for Parents
Parent to Parent (P2P)
1-800-821-5927 (Susan Atkins, WA P2P coordinator)
arcwa.org/parent-to-parent/
Parent to Parent Power
https://www.parentpowerined.org/
PAVE (Partnerships in Action, Voices for Empowerment)
253-565-2266
wapave.org/
Washington State Fathers Network
425-653-4286
www.fathersnetwork.org
Washington State Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
253-214-7410
www.wastatepta.org
State Agencies and Organizations
Answers for Special Kids Resource Line
800-322-2588
800-883-6388 (TTY)
Career and Technical Education
360-725-6000
360-664-3631 (TTY)
www.k12.wa.us/student-success/career-technical-education-cte
Children with Special Health Care Needs Program
Washington State Department of Health
360-236-4700 (voice)
711 (TTY)
doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/infants-and-children/ health-and-safety
Disability Rights Washington
206-324-1521
800-562-2702
800-905-0209 (TTY)
711 (TTY)
www.disabilityrightswa.org
Division of Disabilities Administration (DDA)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
360-725-3413
www.dshs.wa.gov/dda
Division of Special Education
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
360-725-6000
360-664-3631 (TTY)
www.k12.wa.us/student-success/special-education
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
800-637-5627
www.dshs.wa.gov/dvr
Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment
360-902-9511
esd.wa.gov/gcde
King County Office of Civil Rights
206-263-2446
206-296-7596 (TTY)
www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice/civil-rights.aspx
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Washington
425-882-0820
www.ldawa.org/
Mental Health Division
Department of Social and Health Services
1-877-980-9220
www.dshs.wa.gov/mental-health-and-addiction-services
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
360-725-6000
360-664-3631 (TTY)
www.k12.wa.us/ESEA/Contact.aspx
Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
800-422-7930 (voice/TTY)
360-725-3450 (voice)
360-725-3455 (TTY)
www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh
Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP)
800-214-8731 (toll free)
866-866-0162 (toll free TTY)
watap.org/
Washington Speech and Hearing Association
253-525-5162
wslha.org/
Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council
360-586-3560 (main reception)
800-634-4473 (toll free)
www.ddc.wa.gov
Transportation and Driving
King County Metro Transit
206-553-3000
kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro.aspx
Spokane Transit
509-328-7433
711 (TTY)
www.spokanetransit.com
St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute Driver Rehab Program
509-473-6000
www.providence.org/locations/wa/st-lukes
Washington State Department of Transportation
360-705-7000
360-705-7438
wsdot.wa.gov/about/americans-disabilities-act-ada
About DO-IT
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington, and the U.S. Department of Education.
For further information, to be placed on the DO-IT mailing list, request materials in an alternate format, or to make comments or suggestions about DO-IT publications or web pages, contact:
DO-IT
University of Washington
Box 354842
Seattle, WA 98195-4842
doit@uw.edu
www.uw.edu/doit/
206-685-DOIT (3648) (voice/TTY)
888-972-DOIT (3648) (voice/TTY)
509-328-9331 (voice/TTY) Spokane
206-221-4171 (fax)
Founder and Director: Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph.D.
Acknowledgment
This publication was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H324M990010. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Copyright © 2022, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2000, University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, noncommercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged.