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 ]
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 ]
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. 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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
By Colin Wilfrid WARNING: This story talks about a disability-accessible school that the person this story focuses on, Janet Taggart, founded. The school’s original name uses ableist language that some readers may find offensive. Just like all mothers across the world, Janet Taggart loved her daughter, Naida, and she did… [ Keep reading ]
In 2023, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program received a grant to support work toward building inclusion in our history writing and landmarking process. Historic Preservation staff have been supporting a team of researchers and advisors to gather information on the history of disability activism in Seattle for… [ Keep reading ]
