People First of Washington

We are people first, our disabilities are secondary!

We’ve been a strong and growing state wide self-advocacy organization since 1981 when we were officially incorporated and received our 501-c-3 status.

We are a professional organization with:

• A board of directors composed of members with disabilities representing all areas of the state. They oversee the organization and it’s activities.
• Yearly audits by a certified public accountant.
• Liability insurance for property and volunteers, staff, and board.
• Tax exempt status through the IRS.
• Staff that are trained and experienced in educating, supporting, and working with all of our members and communities we serve.
• We currently have 30 active chapters around the state of Washington with a membership of over 1,000 individuals.

We are one of the top self-advocacy organizations in the United States.

We are active members of the national organization Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered.

We have various funding sources that support the work of our organization such as:

• County contracts that assist the local groups with furthering their purpose and goals.
• State contracts that support the overall work of People First and the various training that they do around the state.
  
• A federal grant in partnership with Washington Protection and Advocacy which supports the growth of strong self-advocates in our schools.
• Additional funding is from fund raisers and membership dues.
  
• We have developed 2 nationally recognized curriculums Reaching My Own Greatness (self-determination focus) and Mixed Voices a training program on inclusion.
• We also have numerous resources for training materials on self-advocacy, leadership, fund raising, etc.
• We created a book called No More BS that has been shared around the world and is in the Supreme Court Library.

Self-Advocacy in Motion

Youth Leadership Retreat!

When:  Friday, June 20  - Saturday June 21