Aging & Disability Resources

https://wahandsandvoices.org

425-268-7087

2950 Newmarket St
Ste 101-124
Bellingham, WA 98226

Washington State Hands & Voices (WA H&V) is a parent-driven non-profit grassroots organization recognized by stakeholders to provide resource information and peer support without bias of communication choice to families of children who are deaf, deafblind, deaf plus and hard of hearing (DHH).

https://wcls.bibliocommons.com/list/share/75828291/2357468039

If you are caring for a friend or family member with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, these resources may help. From research to practical advice to personal stories, this list offers perspectives and ideas to help you feel less alone in the journey.

All listed resources, and more, are available to Whatcom County residents for free with a library card: https://www.wcls.org/getacard/

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa

The Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) promotes choice, independence, and safety through innovative services and partnerships with tribes, advocates, providers and caregivers to support seniors and people with disabilities so they can live with good health, independence, dignity and control over decisions that affect their lives.

Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Home and Community Services (HCS) provides and administers long-term care services to eligible individuals and collaborates with Area Agencies on Aging to share community service options.

Residential Care Services (RCS) provides licensing, certification, and regulatory oversight to long-term care facilities including:
Nursing Homes
Assisted Living Facilities
Adult Family Homes
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/IID)
Supported Living; and
Enhanced Services Facilities

The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides service to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and speech-disabled facing communication barriers. Services include telecommunications, reasonable accommodations and client services.

https://www.nrcnaa.org/service-locator/center/42

Lummi Tribe
Lummi Senior Program
Address: 2400 Lummi View Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: 360-758-3500 alt Ph: 360-389-8376
Director: Connie Martin
Email: conniem@lummi-nsn.gov
Website: https://www.lummi-nsn.gov
Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Services
The following services are offered by the Lummi Senior Program at the Lummi Tribe:
Caregiver Programs
Case Management
Congregate Meals
Elder Abuse Prevention Programs
Government Assisted Housing
Home Delivered Meals
Home Health Services
Information and Referral/Assistance
Legal Assistance
Personal Care
Respite Care
Senior Center Programs
Transportation
Volunteer Services

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa

The Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) promotes choice, independence, and safety through innovative services and partnerships with tribes, advocates, providers and caregivers to support seniors and people with disabilities so they can live with good health, independence, dignity and control over decisions that affect their lives.

Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Home and Community Services (HCS) provides and administers long-term care services to eligible individuals and collaborates with Area Agencies on Aging to share community service options.

Residential Care Services (RCS) provides licensing, certification, and regulatory oversight to long-term care facilities including:
Nursing Homes
Assisted Living Facilities
Adult Family Homes
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/IID)
Supported Living; and
Enhanced Services Facilities

The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides service to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and speech-disabled facing communication barriers. Services include telecommunications, reasonable accommodations and client services.

https://nwrcwa.org/aging-and-disability-resources-adr

(360) 738-2500

600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA 98225

ADR staff provide information, referrals, and assistance in obtaining services that support independence, dignity, and health of older adults and people with disabilities.

Staff is available to meet with you on the telephone, or if necessary, in-person to help you identify services that address issues commonly faced by people who are older or who are disabled:

In-Home Care
Medicaid
Caregiver Support
Long-term Care Options
General Resources

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1023/Senior-Centers

There are 8 senior centers located throughout Whatcom County. The centers provide a place where senior citizens can come together and enjoy a variety of social activities, have a nutritious meal, and take classes. Programs vary by site so check out the individual centers below:

Bellingham
Blaine
Everson
Ferndale
Lynden
Point Roberts
Sumas
Welcome (Deming)

https://www.wta.org/go-outside/seasonal-hikes/summer-destinations/ada-accessible-hikes

Finding a wheelchair-friendly trail can be challenging. In addition to general information about what you see along the way, wheelchair hikers need to know things like the cross slope (it can affect how a chair performs.) They also need to know the type of surface they’ll be traveling on, and the angle of the trail itself — how steep is it?

Trails don’t have to specifically be designated ADA-accessible to be wheelchair friendly, but it helps. If they don’t meet ADA requirements but they’re wide enough for a wheelchair, trails are called ‘barrier-free’. That means that in ideal maintenance conditions, a wheelchair hiker could navigate their way along the route.

We’ve compiled this list of our favorite barrier-free hikes, though there are many more out there. Get inspired, head out, and of course write a trip report when you’re back! While this list has been assembled with wheelchair-hikers in mind, it’s a useful resource if you’re hiking with a stroller or walker as well.

https://www.accessiblenature.info/?page_id=165

Everyone, regardless of age or ability, needs their Nature Fix. Learn where to go and share what you know.

Find trails near you that are:
Wheelchair accessible
Easy walking – Not suitable for wheelchairs, but easy walking
For visual impairment – Designed for visually impaired hikers

https://www.bellinghamcentrallions.org/al-boe-wheelchair-warehouse/

(360) 752-5526

4137 Bennett Dr., Bellingham, WA 98226

The Wheelchair Warehouse loans durable medical equipment to folks in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Equipment loaned includes wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, and bedside and bathroom helpers of all kinds.

Equipment is loaned to the public regardless of economic status. We do not sell or rent medical equipment. There is no charge for your use of the equipment. Equipment is loaned for a period of three months. This loan period may be extended if need is demonstrated.

https://dsb.wa.gov/

206-906-5500

3411 S. Alaska Street
Seattle, WA 98118

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides services for people of all ages who are blind or have low vision in the state of Washington. The agency provides services to more than 2,800 Washington State Residents to help them gain or retain employment.

Services include
Vocational Rehabilitation – Providing tools to gain, retain, and build successful careers.
Pre-Employment Transition Services – Helping young people prepare for prosperous futures.
Business Engagement – Resources for businesses of all sizes to build a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Independent Living – Empowering people to thrive in their homes and communities.
Self-Referral Form – Request services for yourself or a loved one.
Patient Referral Form for Physicians

https://www.hsdc.org/

360-647-0910

Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center
Bellingham Crown Plaza
114 West Magnolia St, Suite 106
Bellingham, WA 98225

HSDC is a nonprofit organization serving the Puget Sound area. We foster accessible communities through communication, advocacy and education. We offer services for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have speech/language differences as well as their families and friends. We also offer trainings for organizations that wish to better serve Deaf and hard of hearing community members.

Services We Provide
Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center offers a comprehensive array of services including, but not limited to, those listed below.

Audiology & Hearing Aids
Speech, Language & Communication
Request an Interpreter
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
Early Childhood Education

https://www.nwrcwa.org/non-emergency-medical-transportation

(360) 738-4554

600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA 98225

Need a Ride? Call us at (360) 738-4554
Health Care Authority uses NWRC to provide non-emergency transportation to Medicaid eligible recipients. Please give at least two full business days’ notice for requests.

Find additional information about:
Bus passes in Whatcom and Skagit counties
Gas vouchers and reimbursement forms
Forms for doctor offices
After-hours transportation assistance

http://www.ridewta.com/types-of-service/paratransit

WTA’s paratransit service provides curb-to-curb (and if needed, door-to-door) transportation to riders whose disability prevents them from riding our fixed route bus system. ​

You may use paratransit for any trip purpose, other than a medical emergency. Paratransit riders use the bus to get to work or school, to visit friends and family, to go shopping, or to church, to see movies, enjoy parks and trails, keep medical or dental appointments, and many other trip purposes. By law WTA may not give one trip purpose priority over another.

​Everyone who rides paratransit must qualify and be approved before riding.

https://www.cfi-wa.org/

(360) 393-3890

502 State Ave #102
Marysville, WA 98270

The Center for Independence (CFI) is a non-residential, community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated by people with disabilities, serving people with disabilities ages 14 and up.

We serve as a resource for individuals with disabilities to fully access and participate in the community through outreach, advocacy, and independent living skills development. We work together with participants to achieve independent living goals such as self-advocacy, self-sufficiency, and self-determination.

Core Services:
Information & Referral
Independent Living Skills Training
Peer Support
Individual & Systemic Advocacy
Transition Services (Youth Transition & Deinstitutionalization)

https://nwrcwa.org/

360-676-6749

600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA 98225

Support for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties

Connect with local services for:
Aging & Disability
Behavioral Health
Care Coordination
Dementia Support
Family Caregiver Support
In-Home Care
Jail Health Program
Non-Emergency Transport
Tribal Outreach

https://www.dementiasupportnw.org/

360-671-3316

2950 Newmarket Street #210, Bellingham, WA 98225

Each year we provide hundreds of hours of support to caregivers in Whatcom and Skagit County through our free programs:

Adult Day Programs for scheduled caregiver respite
Support Groups for adults caring for those affected by dementia
Staying Connected Memory Support Groups for adults newly diagnosed or experiencing minimal memory loss
Adult Children Support Groups for those adults caring for a parent affected by dementia
Dementia-Friendly events
Art Access Classes with Allied Arts of Whatcom County
Project Lifesaver (a partnering with the Whatcom County Sheriff) providing electronic technology to locate those who wander

All seek to provide a support to those living with dementia as well as to those providing their care.

http://arcwhatcom.org/wp/

(360) 715-0170

Dan Godwin Community Center
2602 McLeod Rd
Bellingham, WA 98225-1368

The Arc is Here for You!
Our goal is to act as an information resource, linking persons with developmental disabilities and their families with available resources in the community. Several hundred individuals and their families, guardians and caregivers are served annually.

Head to our website to find out about:
Educational Programs & Workshops
Parent Coalition
Parent to Parent
Self-Advocacy
Padres a Padres
Down Syndrome Outreach
Medicaid Personal Care Parent Training
Legislative Advocacy

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3246/Developmental-Disabilities

360-778-5000

311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225

The Developmental Disabilities Program contracts with various agencies in the community to provide services for residents of Whatcom County with developmental disabilities and their families.

Learn more about:
Child Development Services for infants and toddlers birth to age 3.
Pathways to Employment and Community Inclusion Services for Adults 21+.
School to Work Program.
Information and Family Support.
Find out how your agency can become a County qualified service provider.
Attend a Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board meeting.

Get connected to programs and services:
Child Development Services
Pathways to Employment
School To Work Program
Community Inclusion

https://maxhigbeecenter.org/

360-746-7181

1400 N State #101 Bellingham, WA 98225

Max Higbee Center supports and empowers teens and adults with developmental disabilities to build community, friendships, happiness, life skills and health through recreation.

The Center offers group in-person programs for $5 per hour as well as virtual programs. In order to ensure equity and access to our programs and services, full financial aid is available to anyone who needs financial assistance. No documentation is necessary to qualify.

Other services include a Recreation Mentor Service, Community Engagement, and Specialized Outreach.

https://www.wtbbl.org/eligibility.aspx

(206) 615-0400

2021 9th Avenue Seattle, WA 98121

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) is a program of the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. Located in Seattle, WTBBL provides library services state-wide, at the library and by mail, to any Washington resident unable to read standard print material due to blindness, visual impairment, deaf-blindness, physical disability (cannot hold a book or turn pages), or reading disability.

Who is Eligibile for service?
WTBBL services are available to all Washington state residents who are unable to read standard print due to one or more of the following conditions:

• Legal blindness
• Visual impairment
• Physical disability causing an inability to turn pages or comfortably hold a book for extended periods of time
• Deaf-blindness
• Reading disability