Getting Help

If you have a disability and need a change in how we do things, please tell us. We can help with things like:

  • Providing a sign language interpreter
  • Giving you documents in large print or Braille
  • Changing a rule so you can use our services

Child Welfare Help

  • Talk to your case team: Ask your caseworker or their boss (the supervisor).
  • Contact a Regional Disability Liaison: Each area has a liaison to help with disabilities. Find your county in the list below to see who to email.

General Help (Other than Child Welfare)

  • Talk to any DCYF worker: You can ask the person you are already working with (like someone in Licensing)
  • Email or Call: Email the ADA Accessibility Program at dcyf.adaaccessibility@dcyf.wa.gov or call 360-480-7230

What are Modifications and Communications Aids?

A reasonable modification is:

  • a change in a policy or practice that DCYF can do that will help a person with a disability use its services. 

A communication aid or service is:

  • a way of communicating (talking or writing) with people with certain disabilities (such as hearing, speech, or vision impairments).

Here are examples of changes (modifications), aids, and services you may ask for if you have a disability:

  • a sign language interpreter or CART services (real-time captioning)
  • written reminders of DCYF meetings or appointments
  • visual aids, like a calendar of upcoming visits, DCYF meetings, or your child’s appointments
  • a parent aide or coach to provide you with hands-on training in parenting skills
  • changing how often, for how long, or where you have visits with your child so you can practice and show the parenting skills you have learned
  • having your action plan written in short and simple language you can understand

There are many other changes, aids, and services you can request depending on your disability-related needs and your unique circumstances.

How Do I Request a Modification or Communication Aid in Child Welfare?

If you think you might need a reasonable modification or communication aid because of your disability, you can talk to any of the following people:

Before asking, you can talk to your attorney or advocate if you have one. If you are not sure what you need, you can also ask for someone outside of DCYF, such as a health care provider or others, to assess what you might need.

DCYF will review your request and let you know within 10 workdays or two weeks whether we can provide the modification. If we can address your request quickly, DCYF will put it in place as soon as possible.

DCYF may have questions for you or may need more information from you to find the best modification for your needs. If you have questions about this, you can speak to any of the people listed above. 

How Do I Request a Modification or Communication Aid in a Different DCYF Division or Program?

If you think you might need a reasonable modification or communication aid because of your disability, you can talk to any of the following people:

DCYF Child Welfare Disability Liaisons

Contact your regional child welfare disability liaison based on your county.