Classes to learn more about disability

How much do you know about intellectual or other developmental disabilities (IDD)? This series explores how biases impact the way we treat people with IDD and looks into two of the more common conditions.

Disability is Diversity  -  This class explores how biases impact our words and the way we treat people with disabilities. Topics include civil rights; respectful language; forms of disability; and attitudes about disability. Led by Arc staff with intellectual or other developmental disabilities. 

• PRESENTERS:
  Zack Sideek, MSW, Disability Systems Navigation Coordinator at The Arc of King County 
  Dai Ratsamy, Information and Resource Coordinator at The Arc of King County 
  Eric Matthes, Community Advocacy Coordinator at The Arc of King County 
• REGISTRATION: https://forms.office.com/r/8jpzE1t3cW
• The class was presented live on April 10, 2025. Please register for materials and video link. Recording time: 2 hours

Autism: The Basics - This class helps you start the process of understanding what autism is, how it can create different needs, and how to better support autistic people of any age. 

• PRESENTERS: 
  Zack Sideek, MSW, Disability Systems Navigation Coordinator at The Arc of King County 
  Johnathan Martyn, high school teacher, Everett Public Schools 
• REGISTRATION: https://forms.office.com/r/8jpzE1t3cW
• The class was presented live on March 11, 2025. Please register for materials and video link. Recording time: 1 hour and 27 minutes

Cerebral Palsy: The Basics - In this class we review what cerebral palsy is and common impairments found with CP ...and then we unpack misconceptions and assumptions, the need to always assume competence, and the importance of supporting expressive communication 

• PRESENTERS:
  Jae Kim, MSW, Information & Referral Program Manager at The Arc of King County
  Dr. Torey Gilbertson, PT, PhD, DPT, PCS, Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Washington, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine 
• REGISTRATION: https://forms.office.com/r/8jpzE1t3cW
• The class was presented live on June 5, 2025. Please register for materials and video link. Recording time: 56 minutes

We also recommend:

Supporting AAC Users and Their Families - This presentation is part of our Insights on Supporting Families series. It covers best practices and strategies for supporting students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to communicate. 

• PRESENTER: Jae Kim, MSW, Information & Referral Program Manager at The Arc of King County
• REGISTRATION: https://forms.office.com/r/9yLEY8Z9wG 
• The class was presented live on April 23, 2025. Please register for materials and video link. Recording time: 49 minutes