The Informer - October 2026 | | |
Welcome to October 2026!
Thank you to everyone who attended last month's Celebration of Community on the International Day of Peace! And now we move into October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). On October 7, Clark County's 26th Annual Employment Awards will take place at Clark College. Also, the 2026 Legislative Candidates Forum on Disabilities is on October 22. You won't want to miss either of those great events!
For more, check out this month's issue of The Informer to see highlights from the Celebration, read details about the Employment Awards and the Candidates Forum, and learn about other helpful events and resources, including:
- October Community Quest
- PEACE NW Groups and Events
- Ballots and Boos!
- Community Resources
- Other Local Events
- News You Could Use
- Informing Families' "Person-Centered Planning" Bulletin
Thanks again, and we hope to see you soon!
The PEACE NW Team
360-823-3347
info@peacenw.org
| | PEACE NW 10th Anniversary | | |
The October Community Quest is Here!!!
The monthly Community Quest is our way to encourage everyone to get to know other local organizations, groups, services, businesses, and people. When we explore and stay curious about each other, we build community and promote inclusion. Print a copy, pick one up from our office, and get to know what’s out there! Check this page for some ideas.
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Learn more at www.peacenw.org/anniversary
Thank you for being part of our journey. Your support, participation, and belief in inclusive community are what makes PEACE NW so special. Here’s to continuing to grow together.
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month
26th Annual Employment Awards
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Clark County’s Annual celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month reflects the important role people with disabilities play in workforce diversity. Local employers, employees and employment agencies/professionals will be honored for their outstanding commitment to employment for all.
Join us as we celebrate 26 years of community, inclusion, and collaboration!
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Clark College, Gaiser Hall
1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver WA 98663
To Register: Click Here
| 2026 Candidates Forum on Disabilities | | |
Join PEACE NW for our 2026 Legislative Candidates Forum On Disabilities! Come together with self-advocates, families, and community members to hear from local legislative candidates about the issues that impact the disability community.
Come connect, get informed, and make your voice heard!
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Clark College, Gaiser Hall
1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver WA 98663
To Register: Click Here
| | PEACE NW Groups and Events | | |
Building Independence Returns-!!!
Series 1: Community, Connection and Citizenship
Join us for this six week in-person/hybrid class. Building Independence is a Skills building group for young adults with disabilities. We are formatting it a bit differently and will be posting each new six-week session.
*NEW Building Independence sessions begin Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Click Here To Register
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Cafe con PEACE NW
Wednesdays 10:30am -11:30am
Inclusive Dungeons & Dragons Virtual Club
Every Wednesday 5:00pm-6:00pm
Every Friday 5:30pm-7pm
Parent Volunteer-led inclusive Dungeons and Dragons Campaign. All ages.
NEW! Parent to Parent Coffee Connect
First Tuesday of every month starting 10/6/26
9:30am-11am in-person
Senior Parent Group
First Thursday of every month
2pm-4pm in-person and online
For more information and to register for these events visit: https://www.peacenw.org/events
For Flyers to print/share visit: https://www.peacenw.org/flyers
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VOTING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SCVOTING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SCARY!
Ballots and Boos!
Join us for a fun, accessible evening of voting information and support.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 630-8PM Stephen's Place, 501 SE Ellsworth Rd. Vancouver WA 98664
You make the choices, we help make the process accessible.
All information and support is nonpartisan.
Scan code to register or visit www.peacenw.org/events
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Spokane Family Support Conference
October 16, 2026
9:00am - 4:00pm
Spokane Community College
The Lair, Building 6
1810 N Greene ST
Spokane, WA 99217
The Family Support Conference, hosted by the Spokane Disability Collaborative, is a free, one-day event for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities in the Spokane area, including the professionals who walk alongside them.
The event is welcoming interested attendees for keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and a resource fair featuring local organizations.
Lunch, parking, and registration are free. Space is limited!
To register or request information, click here: https://spokanedisabilitycollab.com/family-support-conference/
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Clark County Families & Educators Training Series
October 20th, 2026
5:00pm - 7:00pm
This series is designed for families, caregivers, and educators who support students with disabilities as they prepare for the transition from school to adult life. Join us to learn about resources, services, and opportunities that can help students build the future they want.
To register, click here: https://clarkfamilyresources.org/2026-2027-series/
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Thrive Ministry Adult Bible Study
2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, 7:00-8:30pm
Eastpark Church, 15815 NE 18th St, Vancouver, WA
Welcomes adults 17 years and older with special needs for a Bible study and hangout group.
Any questions, email thrive@eastpark.org
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Are you ready? Wings for All® is returning to the Seattle-Tacoma Airport on October 17, with registration opening September 23, at 8:30 am.
Stay tuned for registration links early next week. You must be registered to participate.
Questions? Contact Stacia Irons at sirons@arcofkingcounty.org
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Online Special Education Training Scholarships
Self-paced course, must be completed by 6/1/2027
Thanks to scholarships provided by Comcast, The Arc@School is offering free access to their Special Education Advocacy Curriculum, an online, self-paced training available in both English and Spanish.
For More Information
Request free access here:
https://bit.ly/4xPiQxb
Questions?
Reach out to School@TheArc.org.
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The National Disability Caregivers Conference by Caring Futures is a FREE, two-day virtual event designed to support caregivers of a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Co‑presented by The Arc of California and Caring Across Generations, this empowering national event brings together parents, caregivers, advocates, and professionals to learn, connect, and strengthen communities where every person is valued.
Through expert-led sessions, discussions, and practical resources, caregivers will gain vital tools on topics like housing, employment, public benefits, future planning, mental health, advocacy, estate planning and person-centered support. Whether you’re navigating services for a child, adult, or aging family member, this conference provides the knowledge, inspiration, and connections you need to thrive—because when caregivers are supported, everyone benefits. Learn more about the presenters and topics, and register at https://www.caringfutures.org/conference
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PHAME: Creating Art. Expanding Possibility
BUY TICKETS NOW! Early birds get a cheap(er) price!
Join us Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Portland Playhouse for our PHAMEously Funny Fall Fundraiser!
Tickets are available online at www.phamepdx.org/fall-fun
Early Bird Pricing (through October 1): $50
General Admission (starting October 2): $65
What's in store?
A glorious mashup of improv, live music, and comedy featuring PHAME’s "Almost PHAMEous" comedy troupe! Come LOL with us and help us hit our $35,000 fundraising goal to power PHAME's programming for artists with disabilities.
Why This Night Matters
We're expanding classes, bringing back our huge summer show, and doing big things—but we can’t do it without you. Grab a ticket and let’s make it happen!
Event Schedule
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Drinks, snacks, mingling, and fun fundraising
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Comedy, music, improv, and paddle-raise hijinks
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Main Street Promise Reopening Celebration
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
5pm - 8pm
1011 Main Street, Vancouver WA 98660
For more info: https://bit.ly/4xiBcWK
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Are you passionate about disability justice and want to work to achieve equity for people with disabilities? Apply to volunteer for the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE). Link to application: https://bit.ly/GCDEApp2026
The GCDE is seeking its next chairperson and members to join the 25-member committee. Each year, the group helps ensure that perspectives of people with disabilities are shared with state leaders to shape disability policy.
Committee members, including the chairperson, serve 3-year terms, with the possibility of being appointed to a second 3-year term. Deadline to apply is October 13, 2026.
The GCDE application process requires two steps:
Submit the Boards & Commissions Application: https://bit.ly/GCDEApp2026
Email elaine.stefanowicz@esd.wa.gov to indicate your interest and request a link to the GCDE supplemental questionnaire.
For more information or assistance filling out this form, such as an alternate format or a reasonable accommodation, email gcde@esd.wa.gov.
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Open seats are available for C-TRAN's Community Advisory Committee
The C-TRAN Community Advisory Committee has five open postions for 2027: At-Large Representative (x2), Blind/Low Vision Representative, Environmental Community Representative, and Business Representative. Make an impact on public transit within your community while building new connections and adding professional experience to your resume. Applications are due by October 12, 2026. For more information, click here: www.c-tran.com/ccac
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Informing Families: PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING
Learn the difference between person-centered planning and person-centered service planning, what to expect at your annual planning meeting, and how to prepare. Everyone deserves a chance to be heard, share what matters to them, and set goals for the future. Person-Centered Planning helps make that happen.
To read the bulletin, click this link: Person-Centered Planning | Informing Families
| | | People Empowered and Communities Enhanced | PO BOX 820681 | Vancouver, WA 98682 US | | | | |
