The King County Developmental Disabilities Legislative Forum is an opportunity to educate elected officials on issues that are important to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) or delays and their families, friends, and supporters. This is done through sharing King County's I/DD legislative priorities, and also by having our community members share their personal stories as they relate to the priorities.

2024 Legislative Forum

Key Documents

• An Infographic of our 2024 legislative priorities

• A deeper dive into our 2024 legislative priorities

• Forum agenda

• Recording of the 2024 Legislative Forum.

• Follow along with the video using a translated transcript:
  • Cantonese transcript
  • Filipino transcript
  • Mandarin transcript
  • Somali transcript
  • Spanish transcript

Thank You For Joining Us, Thursday, December 7th!

• An estimated 350 people attended our 2024 King County Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and Delays Legislative Forum at the Southcenter DoubleTree Suites.  This was King County’s first in-person gathering of the event since 2019, and we couldn’t have been more pleased to join together once again!   

• Deputy County Executive Shannon Braddock provided opening remarks, highlighting the affirmation by voters, community members, and leaders, to support a robust community human services workforce and innovative solutions to community members' needs. 

• Self-advocates, family members, and service providers shared their powerful stories and perspectives on the supports and investments that are needed. Speakers represented the diversity of the community in age, race, and language.

• An evening highlight was the first in-person informal conversations between constituents and their elected officials for the I/DD and Delays forum. Conversations were facilitated by 19 community volunteers. 

• A total of 12 state legislators and one county councilmember-elect attended. In addition, one state legislator, one councilmember and one member of congress were represented by staff. 

• Simultaneous interpretation was offered in seven languages! ASL and captioning were also offered. Also, documents were translated into twelve languages!

• A first this year, the I/DD and Delays forum provided a Quiet Room for those needing a break from the action, and a Family Room with activities, snacks, and a play space. 

Thank you for an amazing I/DD and Delays Legislative Forum!

State Legislators In Attendance 

• Senator Bob Hasegawa, Legislative District 11
• Senator Claire Wilson, Legislative District 30
• Senator Jamie Pedersen (Aide), Legislative District 43
• Senator Javier Valdez, Legislative District 46
• Senator Claudia Kauffman, Legislative District 47
• Representative Jamila Taylor, Legislative District 30
• Representative Tina Orwall, Legislative District 33
• Representative Steve Berquist, Legislative District 11
• Representative David Hackney, Legislative District 11
• Representative Roger Goodman, District 45  
• Representative Gerry Pollet, Legislative District 46  
• Representative Darya Fariver, Legislative District 46  
• Representative Chris Stearns, Legislative District 47  

King County Councilmembers in Attendance 

• Representation from County Councilmember Claudia Balducci’s office, District 6
• County Councilmember-Elect Jorge Baron, District 4

Members of Congress Not in Attendance but Represented by Legislative Staff

• U.S. Senator Patty Murray

 

Learn About Our 2024 Legislative Priorities

English

አማርኛ - Amharic

العربية  - Arabic

中文（简体) - Chinese (Simplified)

中文（繁體) - Chinese (Trad.)

Kurdish

РУССКИЙ - Russian

ESPAÑOL - Spanish

Swahili

Tagalog

Tigrinya

TIẾNG VIỆT - Vietnamese