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July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity, strength, and leadership of the disability community.
At PEACE NW, we proudly stand with the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community and recognize that disability is diverse, intersectional, and deeply connected to social justice. When barriers are removed for disabled people, everyone benefits.
This year’s Disability Pride Month theme, selected by The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates, is “The World Works Better With Us.” We couldn’t agree more. Inclusion strengthens our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities.
Disability Pride Month is celebrated each July in honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, reminding us that disability rights are civil rights and that the work toward true belonging continues.
Learn more about Disability Pride Month and ways to celebrate through The Arc’s Disability Pride Month page: https://thearc.org/.../why-and-how-to-celebrate.../
Because the world works better with us.
| | Meet our newest team member! | | |
PEACE NW is excited to welcome Brian Tashima as our new Office Administrator. Brian brings a powerful blend of creativity, lived experience, organization, and community-centered leadership to our team. Born and raised in Hawaii, he has called Vancouver, Washington home since 2000 and has built a wide-ranging career as an author, screenwriter, filmmaker, musician, consultant, and creator.
Brian is the dad of two autistic children and brings a thoughtful perspective shaped by family experience and his deep involvement in the autism and neurodivergent communities. His creative work includes the award-winning Joel Suzuki book series, a young adult science fiction/fantasy series where autism is connected to magic, as well as the short film Hold My Beer, which celebrates neurodivergent creativity, local talent, and community. Through his work with Second Player Score, Autism Empowerment, and other creative projects, Brian has helped create more visibility, opportunity, and connection for neurodivergent people. We are grateful to have Brian’s voice, creativity, and experience supporting PEACE NW in this important role.
You can explore Brian’s books through the Joel Suzuki series website and learn more about his film Hold My Beer online.
| | PEACE NW 10th Anniversary | | | | |
🍕 Help Us Raise Dough for 10 Years of Support! 🍕
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we’re teaming up with Little Caesars for a delicious fundraiser! Whether you're planning a family pizza night or stocking up your freezer, every purchase helps!. We need your help to make this happen. To Participate and learn more visit the link on the button below.
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July 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 make PEACE NW so special. Here’s to continuing to grow together.
| | PEACE NW Groups and Events | | |
Mall Walking with Peace NW
Mall walking will continue! Come join us every Friday from
9:00-10:00 am for an hour of building community and healthy habits together!
Contact Christa for more info:
christac@peacenw.org
(360) 931-1691
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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.
Cafe con PEACE NW
On Hold for Summer, will return September
Building Independence
Thursdays 6:00pm-8:00pm 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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48th People First Convention!
Registration for the 2026 Convention Closes on August 31!
CLICK HERE
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People First of Washington State
Upcoming mini-conference in Olympia, WA on August 8th!
www.peoplefirstofwashington.org
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The Arc of King County presents: monthly guardianship forms completing workshops. The second Tuesday of the month for the petition and the third Tuesday and third Thursday of the month for reporting (renewing).
Note** We are not attorneys, so we can only help with filling out forms and guiding you regarding filing.
Please RSVP to twarren@arcofkingcounty.org for our July 2026 Guardianship Reporting Workshop. I will send the forms and a Zoom link and instructions/needed items.
NOTE! We have added an extra day for reporting. The third Tuesday of the month from 3pm-5pm.
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Need a free low-key space to connect with fellow neurodivergent creatives?
Join us each month for Chill and Chat, a relaxed Zoom gathering hosted by AE-NCC Program Lead Brian Tashima.
When: The 1st Saturday of each month (unless otherwise indicated)
Upcoming Dates for 2026: July 11th
Time: 3:00 PM Pacific
Length: 45–60 minutes (based on group energy)
Location: Online via Zoom
Who’s it for? Neurodivergent Creators Collective members and visiting guests (Membership is free!)
Zoom Link (same each month): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86095978904
Pre-Production Planning for Filmmaking
Workshop by Edward Martin III
Saturday, July 25
2pm-3pm Pacific Time
Registration link will be posted on our website in July:
https://www.autismempowerment.org/programs/aencc/upcomingevents/
Whether you want to share your current creative project, ask questions, brainstorm, or just hang out and listen, you’re welcome here! These chats are not recorded, and you are not required to turn on your camera or speak if you just feel like hanging out and want to get a feel for who we are. No pressure, just friendly faces, creative energy, and good vibes.
Let’s build community, support each other, and grow together—one chat at a time.
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Financial assistance is available for kinship caregivers (relatives raising relative children in their home with no DCYF involvement) in Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat, and Skamania counties. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
They can assist with:
- Past due rent
- Past due utilities
- Vouchers for basic needs such as food, clothing, and essential household supplies
If you are working with any kinship caregivers who may benefit from these resources, encourage them to call 360-759-4317 as soon as possible before funds run out.
You can learn more about our Kinship Program on our website at https://helpingelders.org/kinship-caregivers
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Northwest Access Fund
Get $100 for a New Oregon ABLE Account!
Northwest Access Fund is partnering with Oregon ABLE Savings Plan to help people with disabilities in Oregon open and fund ABLE accounts. To be eligible for an ABLE account, a person must have a qualifying disability that began before the age of 46; money in an ABLE account does not count as a resource for disability benefits like SSI and Medicaid, so ABLE accounts allow people on those programs to save money without losing their benefits.
We have 100 promo codes worth $100 each to fund new ABLE accounts in Oregon. The promo codes are first come, first serve, and our financial coaches will meet one-on-one with people who are interested in opening an ABLE account to provide support and answer questions. Meetings are by Zoom or by phone.
Offering monthly classes on Credit, Debt and Applying for SSI.
Classes are free! Register here: https://www.nwaccessfund.org/coaching/classes/
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The Arc of Spokane is partnering with Bank of America to bring you a series of workshops all about finances! Each session is targeted to either individuals with IDD or their caregivers and focus on financial security, future planning, identifying scams, savings, spending, and budgeting, and so much more!
Hosted at The Arc of Spokane and led by experts from Bank of America, make sure to join us in July for these valuable workshops!
Learn more: www.arc-spokane.org/financial-literacy
#thearcofspokane #disabilityawareness #financialliteracy #bankofamerica
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You don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming to ask for support.
HealthConnect Hub can help with everyday needs, including health care, housing, food, and other resources.
No referral needed. Free to use. Confidential.
Getting help is a strength, not a last resort.
Start here: swach.link/help
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Autism Empowerrment / Spectrum Life Magazine and Special Celebrations Picnic and Potluck!
Saturday, August 1st!
Click here for more info!
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Hosted by the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Oregon & Washington
All PWS families, physicians, and nurses are welcome to attend a PWS Roadshow event! You’ll have the opportunity to meet with other local families, ask the expert panel and connect with PWS professionals in your area, find out about new and potential future treatments for hyperphagia (excessive hunger), and connect with Soleno PACE for product support and resources. Scroll below to find out where and when upcoming roadshow events will take place and click the links to register to attend. We hope to see you there! For any questions, reach out to Vonnie Sheadel, President PWSA of Oregon and Washington, at pwsaorwa@gmail.com.
https://www.pwsausa.org/event/pws-roadshow-in-the-pacific-northwest-all-dates-and-locations/
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DDAP:
The Developmental Disability Administrative Appeal Project (DDAAP) helps adults in Washington State appeal denials of waiver services by providing legal representation. It is a partnership involving The Arc of Spokane and the Northwest Justice Project, aimed at creating a sustainable pipeline of representatives for individuals with IDD. wabarnews.org
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A new program aims to make traffic stops safer for people who are neurodivergent or who might have barriers to communicating in stressful situations.
Known as the Blue Envelope program, the idea is simple: People can place their vehicle registration, insurance information, and other important documents in the specially designed blue envelope. They then store the envelope in an easily reachable location in their vehicle, so it can be handed to an officer during a stop.
This program helps ensure as smooth a process as possible during traffic stops, keeping our drivers and law enforcement safe. Blue envelopes can be picked up at any driver or vehicle licensing office. No appointment is necessary, and no documentation is needed.
for more information visit: https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/blue-envelope-program
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The benefits of ABLE accounts are expanding
There are lots of exciting things to look forward to as 2025 comes to a close. With life-changing ABLE updates and enhanced online tools, there are great changes in store for your Washington State ABLE account. Catch up on everything that’s happening—and see how to make the most of your account moving forward.
Learn more at: https://www.washingtonstateable.com/
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Public policy
The Community Advocacy Coalition for Developmental Disabilities has released its 2026 priorities, highlighting the most urgent policy needs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington. The agenda focuses on protecting essential services, strengthening community-based supports, reducing reliance on institutional care, and advancing equitable, person-centered policies. Read and share the full priorities to support your advocacy this session.
Emily Rogers, WADDC Public Policy Director
Learn more and read the priorities document
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Informing Families: Today and Tomorrow
Informing Families is a valuable resource provided by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council and the Developmental Disabilities Administration. It recognizes that living a fulfilling life involves more than just accessing services and systems. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of relationships, community, and personal growth at all stages of life. Informing Families offers trusted news and information to individuals and families, empowering them to actively participate in planning and building a network of support and opportunities. Through various mediums such as social media, e-news, videos, and a vast library of original content, Informing Families aims to reach and connect with more families, fostering discussions and keeping them well-informed about relevant issues.
| | | People Empowered and Communities Enhanced | PO BOX 820681 | Vancouver, WA 98682 US | | | | |
