Making Communities More Inclusive
Our state has a long history of promoting the rights of people with developmental disabilities to work, learn and live in our communities. As family, friends, co-workers and neighbors, their inclusion benefits all of us. In honor of Dan Thompson, whose passion for his job and love of family embodies this spirit of belonging, our state legislature created the Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account. Funds from the account go to support innovative projects that promote access and inclusion.
Who was Dan Thompson?
Dan was born on December 30, 1968, to Margaret-Lee and Loren Thompson. Refusing to accept that his disability would limit his opportunity for a full life, his parents became lifelong advocates for his inclusion in early intervention programs, full education access and employment. Dan was known for his humor, reading skills, and his speed and accuracy sorting mail at Microsoft for 15 years. He took great pride in his job, fueling his mom’s drive to make sure the legislature funded employment supports for students leaving high school transition programs. No one saw Margaret-Lee Thompson on the hill without knowing she was there to make sure other people had the same great life as Dan. Dan passed away in 2005. His legacy has continued on through the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account.
In the news: DSHS wins national award.