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Posts categorized under Community Stories Archives - Page 2 of 32 - Front Porch

Renovations to Historic Washington Hall Honor Legacy of Inclusion and Access

Throughout 2024, we have been working directly with the disability community to share stories and experiences that highlight advocacy efforts for equitable access and disability justice. We recently caught up with King Khazm and Kitty Wu from 206 Zulu to learn more about how they used funding from a Historic… [ Keep reading ]

Reflecting on a Successful Year of Engaging and Supporting Community

As we wrap up 2024, we want to reflect on the past year and the many accomplishments of our areas of service. Supporting, engaging, and empowering community are always our number one focus, and over the last 12 months Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) staff has worked diligently to build… [ Keep reading ]

Disability Activism Panelists Share Stories at MOHAI Gathering

In November, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) hosted an event focused on Disability Activism History that included an overview of a historic context study developed by our Historic Preservation Program and a panel of local disability activists and thinkers. Panelists shared stories… [ Keep reading ]

Celebrating the Legacy of Bob Hayman and his book, “The Railings of Seattle” 

In 2011, Seattle resident Bob Hayman faced a life-altering challenge: a brain tumor that left him paralyzed on one side of his body. As an active person and athlete, this new reality could have stopped Bob from doing what he loved most — moving. But instead of giving up, Bob… [ Keep reading ]

Meet Marta: Navigating Seattle with a White Cane

Meet Marta. This summer our team put out a call to inviting the community to share stories that relate to disability, disability history, and disability activism in Seattle. We received a bundle of ideas — you all are a treasure trove of experiences and memories! One submission came from Marta… [ Keep reading ]

The Making of the DeafBlind Service Center: Seattle’s Trailblazer for Empowerment

By Beverly Aarons By the 1990’s, Seattle had made a name for itself as a deafblind Mecca by offering a level of community support and specialized services rarely found elsewhere in the country. And the founding of the DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) in 1986 was critical to etching that narrative… [ Keep reading ]

Capoeira Life hosts free youth programs focused on self-expression, community, and respect

Based in South Seattle, Capoeira Life provide youth from under-resourced backgrounds access to the movement and music of Capoeira Angola. Their programs focus on physical and mental empowerment and instill respect, awareness, strength, and agility in their students. Through a combination of alternative curricula including both ancient traditions and modern… [ Keep reading ]

A look back at the Americans with Disabilities Act 25th anniversary celebration in Downtown Seattle

By Colin Wilfrid In 2025, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will reach its 35th anniversary. Signed into federal law in 1990, the ADA is quite possibly the most important piece of disability rights legislation in United States history. This law has been responsible for elevators in multi-story buildings, handicap… [ Keep reading ]

The important legacy of a Historic Landmark and Washington’s first Black architect, Benjamin McAdoo

Often, when people hear the phrase historic preservation, the first thing they think of is saving old buildings. And while, yes, that is sometimes the outcome, it is certainly not that simple. Historic Landmarks are rooted in community. They are tangible connections to the people and events that have shaped… [ Keep reading ]

Celebrating 15 years of the Community Liaison Program and honoring those who have served since the beginning

This year marks the 15th anniversary of our Community Liaisons (CL) Program. The program was established in 2009 to help the City do a better job of engaging with and serving historically underrepresented communities in Seattle. Community Liaisons support departments across the City of Seattle by serving as a neutral… [ Keep reading ]