The Washington State Senate has adopted a resolution celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Northwest Center, which was founded on March 1, 1965, by four mothers—Janet Taggart, Cecile Lindquist, Evelyn Chapman, and Katie Dolan—to provide education and services for children with disabilities. The resolution highlights the significant contributions of these mothers in advocating for legislative changes, including the passage of HB90 in 1971, which established the right to public education for all children with disabilities in Washington, making it the first state in the nation to do so. This pioneering effort was further recognized at the national level with the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1975.
The resolution acknowledges the Northwest Center's role as a leader in promoting inclusion, acceptance, employment, advocacy, and anti-ableism for individuals with disabilities over the past six decades. It serves to honor the legacy of the founders and their ongoing impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their families in Washington State.