Nov. 17, 2006
Media advisory: State legislators to meet with developmental disabilities community
King County Executive Ron Sims will join the developmental disabilities community and members of the King County delegation to the Washington State Legislature in a discussion of legislative issues and priorities for 2007. More than 30 legislators and approximately 500 people with developmental disabilities, parents, family members, and service providers are expected to attend the annual event.
Executive Sims will provide the opening remarks at the 17th Annual Developmental Disabilities Community Legislative Forum, which will take place:
Mon., Nov. 20, 2006
7-9 p.m.
DoubleTree Guest Suites (near Southcenter Mall)
16500 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila
"Each year, the King County developmental disabilities community comes together in an extraordinary demonstration of advocacy, commitment and determination on behalf of citizens with developmental disabilities and their families," said Executive Sims. "This forum provides an opportunity for the community to express their concerns directly to their elected representatives, and build important connections between legislators and the constituents they serve."
The program will feature the personal experiences and viewpoints of individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members, and service providers from across King County. They will speak to the community's 2007 priority issues, which include: adequate funding for birth-to-three early intervention services; employment and day program funding for high school graduates with developmental disabilities; family support services; improvement of post-school employment outcomes; expanded community resources; and support for a living wage for vendors.
The annual forum is co-sponsored by the volunteer members of the King County Board for Developmental Disabilities and the King County Parent Coalition.
For more information on the Developmental Disabilities Legislative Forum, please call Ray Jensen, Division Director, Developmental Disabilities Division, at 206-296-5268 or go to www.metrokc.gov/dchs/ddd.