Washington is one of 14 states funded under this program, which was instituted in 1997 and will be re-competed in 2001. The CDPR has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health Maternal and Child Health Genetics Section to expand the capacity of state and local health departments to promote the health and quality of life of persons with mobility limitations. The project involves population-based surveillance of disability, technical assistance to state agencies and local public health jurisdictions in examining disability-related issues, and implementation of community interventions to prevent secondary conditions. A report, Disability in Washington State, will be published in 2001.

The project supports disability prevention activities in Spokane and Jefferson counties. Each community has formed a local advisory board, known as Disability Awareness, Surveillance, and Health Promotion (DASH), to identify priorities for community mobilization around disability issues. In Spokane, the DASH project is sponsored by the Health Improvement Partnership, a community health coalition including the Spokane Regional Health District, local hospitals, and other community groups. In Port Townsend, DASH is sponsored by the Olympic Area Agency on Aging. Both communities are working to improve accessibility of public facilities and public awareness of disability issues.