When people hear the term Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), they may not realize it includes many disabilities they already know, such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). IDD is not a single diagnosis. Rather, it is an umbrella term that describes a broad range of lifelong conditions that begin during childhood and can affect learning, communication, mobility, behavior, and daily living.
At least 170,000 Washingtonians are known to be living with an intellectual or developmental disability. Yet we know this number does not tell the whole story. Disabilities are often under identified and underreported, particularly in immigrant, refugee, and multicultural communities where language barriers, cultural stigma, mistrust of systems, and limited access to services can prevent families from seeking or receiving formal diagnoses and support.
Behind every statistic is a person with talents, dreams, and the desire to belong. People with IDD are our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, artists, athletes, volunteers, and friends. They contribute to our communities every day and deserve the same opportunities to learn, work, connect, and thrive.
Unfortunately, many families face barriers that can make everyday life more difficult. A parent may struggle to find information in their native language. A young adult may face challenges finding meaningful employment. A family may not know how to access disability services, educational supports, healthcare, or community programs. Too often, these barriers are not caused by a person’s disability, but by systems that were not designed with everyone in mind.
That is where Open Door for Multicultural Families (ODMF) steps in.
ODMF works alongside families to help them navigate complex systems, access critical resources, develop self-advocacy skills, and build lasting community connections. By providing culturally and linguistically responsive support, ODMF helps ensure that families are seen, heard, and empowered to make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones.
But building a more inclusive world is not just the responsibility of disability organizations. It belongs to all of us.
At the Microsoft Ability Summit, a quote resonated deeply with ODMF’s Director of Development, Andrea Kassa:
“When you design for the height of the bell curve, you are intentionally building in a lack of accessibility. You are leaving everyone on the margins out. But when you design for the margins, you naturally design for everyone.”
That idea has stayed with her because it captures a simple truth: accessibility benefits all of us.
When we design schools, workplaces, public spaces, websites, programs, and services with accessibility in mind, we are not creating accommodations for a small group of people. We are building communities that work better for everyone. Curb cuts designed for wheelchair users help parents pushing strollers. Captioning supports people who are deaf or hard of hearing while also helping those learning English or watching content in noisy environments. Flexible workplaces benefit employees with disabilities and employees balancing caregiving responsibilities.
Inclusion is not about making room for a few people. It is about recognizing that human diversity is the norm.
You do not need to have a family member with a disability to care about accessibility and inclusion. Every one of us benefits from communities where more people can participate, contribute, and belong. When barriers are removed, individuals with IDD gain greater access to education, employment, healthcare, and community life. At the same time, our schools become stronger, our workplaces become more innovative, and our communities become more connected.
At ODMF, we believe disability is a natural part of human diversity. We envision a world where families are not left behind because of language, culture, or systemic barriers, and where every person has the opportunity to thrive.
Because when we design for the margins, everyone benefits.