Jim Larson is the President/CEO of Morningside

Farewell for Now

Well my 46 year career assisting individuals with disabilities with employment is coming to a close.  Today is my last day – tomorrow I begin my retirement.  The last 29 years working at Morningside have been wonderful.  During this time the organization transformed from a sheltered workshop where individuals with disabilities worked in a segregated […]

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Posted in Advocacy, Morningside Celebrations

Behind the Times

First an excerpt from Seattle Times article June 27, 2017: “Fircrest and other institutions have changed a lot. Yet states have a mandate, under the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision, to rely on segregated facilities as little as possible when serving people with disabilities. Tennessee in May joined the ranks of more than a […]

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Posted in Disability Policy, Inclusion

Lawsuit Brought by DRW to Close the Institutions

Over several posts I have shared King 5 news investigators reports on “Last of the Institutions”.  This hard hitting and truthful series pointed out Washington State’s archaic practice of institutionalizing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Advocates for inclusive communities have been waving the banner for years to close the institutions pointing out all the […]

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Posted in Advocacy, Disability Policy, Inclusion, State Policy

Last of the Institutions – Part II

In December I posted a comment and link to a series of reports conducted by King 5 Investigators. The series entitled “Last of the Institutions”, is a multi-part in depth series examining the many facets of Washington States institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities. Susannah Frame who produced and narrates the series explores the social, […]

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Posted in Advocacy, Disability Policy, Inclusion, State Policy

When Will the Madness End?

Another court case involving sub-minimum wage found in favor of the petitioner!  A Department of Labor Administrative Law Judge found Ralph Magers, Pam Steward and Mark Felton had been wrongly paid under the special 14 C section allowing sub-minimum wages paid to disabled workers by Seneca Re-AD Industries (Respondent).  The crux of the issues is […]

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Posted in Minimum Wage

“Last of the Institutions” a must see

Over the past several weeks, King 5 Investigators have been airing “Last of the Institutions”, a multi part in depth series examining the many facets of Washington States institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities. Susannah Frame who produced and narrates the series explores the social, political, and emotional issues from various views of individuals who […]

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Posted in Advocacy, Disability Policy, Uncategorized