On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released a new legal opinion about disability rights laws and access to home and community-based care for people with disabilities. For many years, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of…
Special education is a fundamental part of a student’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). It is not separate from education. It exists to ensure that students with disabilities can access learning, receive individualized supports, and fully participate…
We all use technology to make our lives easier every day, but have you ever stopped to think about how many were originally designed as “assistive technology”? Take a moment to look around you. Maybe you’re wearing glasses or contact…
We are just under one month away from Under One Sky, our largest annual fundraiser and we can’t wait to celebrate with you. Tickets are selling quickly, and we encourage you to get yours now to show your support and…
We are officially one month away from Under One Sky, our largest annual fundraiser and we can’t wait to celebrate with you. Tickets are selling quickly, and we encourage you to get yours now to show your support and join…
If you stood near the Kent/Des Moines Light Rail Station this week, you might’ve felt it, that buzz in the air, the energy of something big beginning. After years of dreaming, planning, community conversations, and partnership building… construction on the…
KENT, WA – Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODMF) is honored to announce US Senator Patty Murray secured $614,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending to support the development of the ODMF Early Learning Center, a vital piece of…
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone: My Arrival and Early Challenges Written By Ky Ly Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy. 16 years ago, I stepped out of mine when I moved from Vietnam to the United…
One autistic student’s journey through college and beyond Written By Khalid Sirad The bell rings one final time. Graduation caps soar through the air. For most students, this moment marks an exciting transition to independence. But for those of us…
Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODMF) stands in solidarity with families across Washington who continue to experience the harmful impacts of restraint and isolation practices in schools. Across the state, students- many with disabilities and/or other behavioral needs, are still…
Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODMF) is honored to celebrate the groundbreaking of Mercy Housing Northwest’s newest affordable and accessible housing community in Tacoma, 35th & Pacific, on January 15, 2026. As partners in advancing equity, inclusion, and stability for…
Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODMF) has released our 2026 Legislative Platform, outlining bold policy priorities designed to advance equity, safety, and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Washington State. The platform highlights five urgent areas…