The ACLU-WA participates in "impact litigation" designed to protect civil rights and civil liberties for large numbers of Washington residents.

Does NOT typically provide legal representation to individual complainants and is not a general legal services provider.

Through the Information and Referral Program (IRP), DOES provide:
- "Know your rights" and legal self-help literature
- Referrals to appropriate agencies and organizations

In some areas of ACLU emphasis, is able to provide limited advocacy or more specialized advice.

The ACLU is particularly active in the following issue areas:

-  Freedom of expression and freedom of religion
-  Police practices and accountability
-  Student rights, school discipline, and education issues
-  LGBTQ issues
-  Voting rights
- Houseless issues
- Sentencing reform
- Health Care
- Technology and Privacy

Information and Referral Program offered by American Civil Liberties Union of Washington

Protects civil liberties by advocating for issues such as freedom of expression and religion, police accountability, student rights, LGBTQI issues, voting rights, and criminal barriers. Does not typically provide legal representation.

Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been denied an opportunity to purchase, lease or rent the home or apartment of their choice due to their age, gender, family composition (including families with children under the age of 18 and pregnant individuals), race or color, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status, actions that are prohibited by the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 in the U.S. Federal fair housing law also extends limited protection to recovering alcoholics who actively and regularly participate in a medically based treatment or AA program, and people with a drug use disorder including those who have prior convictions for illegal drug use (but not for drug dealing or manufacture). Assistance may also be available to other individuals who are protected from housing discrimination by state or local laws with a broader set of protected categories, or which cover properties that are exempt from federal fair housing laws but are protected under state law.

Housing Discrimination Assistance

Programs that provide assistance for people who believe they have been denied equal access to student loans or scholarships, or to educational programs at preschool, elementary, secondary, vocational, postsecondary, postgraduate or professional school levels based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

Education Discrimination Assistance

Programs that provide information about specific legal problems and procedures that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the field. Also included are legal aid services, bar associations and other programs that provide basic information about family law, landlord/tenant law, immigration law, consumer law, elder law, patient rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, the criminal justice system, the civil court system and other legal topics via workshops, classes, speaking engagements, printed materials, video tutorials, websites and other similar educational avenues.

Legal Information Services

Programs that provide assistance for people who want to submit a petition requesting that the court order the official and formal sealing or erasure of records related to a particular criminal case maintained by police agencies at all levels, the prosecuting attorney's office, the office of the clerk of the court and/or agencies that are part of the criminal correctional system. Most jurisdictions have laws that permit, even mandate, the sealing or expungement of juvenile records as well as statutes that relate to adult records and the conditions under which they may be cleared.

Criminal Record Expungement Assistance

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who have witnessed, are experiencing or are affected by verbal, physical or social bullying, or cyberbullying. Included may be short-term emotional support, resources and community referrals, and steps to ensure the person's safety. The service is generally free and confidential and may offer peer support, particularly to youth. Helpline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Bullying Helplines

Organizations that work to protect the rights of people guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and which promote the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that extend individual rights or more effectively protect them. These rights include constitutional guarantees, such as the right to bear arms, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as well as civil rights which protect all citizens from discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin in the areas of voting, education, employment and housing; in the use of facilities and public accommodations; and in the administration of federally assisted or other public programs.

Constitutional/Civil Rights Groups

Programs that are responsible for protecting the individual's right to register and vote in all local, state and national elections. Services include accepting and resolving complaints regarding fraud, corruption or discrimination in voting registration, voting or the counting of votes; the location, hours, staffing or equipping of polling places; the drawing of voting precinct boundaries; and other problems in the election process which prevent individuals from exercising their right to vote.

Voting Rights Protection

Programs that support laws and other social measures that protect citizens from invasion of privacy by the federal government or other governmental entities; or which prohibit organizations that have confidential information about an individual from sharing that information without the individual's informed consent.

Privacy Rights Groups

Programs that accept and, where possible, attempt to resolve complaints regarding the quality of service, lack of competence, availability, unethical or improper conduct of peace officers or other law enforcement officials, or other problems with law enforcement agencies. Some programs also welcome and document compliments.

Law Enforcement Complaints

Programs that provide staff who promote agency coordination to improve resources available to juvenile or adult offenders, particularly those who have developmental or mental disabilities.

Offender Advocates

Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been treated unfairly or denied normal privileges by a commercial establishment or other facility that serves the public based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. Included are establishments that serve food and drink (e.g., restaurants, bars), places of lodging (e.g., inns, hotels, motels); gathering places (e.g., auditoriums, convention centers, lecture halls); entertainment venues (e.g., theaters, concert halls, sports stadiums); sales or rental establishments (shopping centers, grocery stores, video rental outlets); service establishments (e.g., laundromats, dry cleaners, banks, barber shops, beauty shops, travel services, shoe repair services, funeral parlors, gas stations, offices of accountants or lawyers, insurance offices); public transportation terminals; depots or stations; recreation/exercise establishments (e.g., parks, zoos, amusement parks, gymnasiums, health spas, bowling alleys, golf courses); and social service centers (e.g., child care centers, senior centers, homeless shelters, food banks/pantries, adoption agencies).

Customer Service Discrimination Assistance

Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been treated unfairly, denied health or mental health care services or benefits or have experienced delays in service provision based on their age, gender, family composition, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

Health Care Discrimination Assistance

Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been denied equal access to employment or that they have been treated unfairly as employees, i.e., that they were sexually harassed or denied equal pay for equal work, passed over for a promotion, denied training opportunities or fired on the basis of their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. Also included are programs that provide assistance for job applicants who feel they have been denied employment because of a military service obligation or help restore job seniority and pension rights which have been withheld from military service personnel because of an absence from work due to a service obligation.

Employment Discrimination Assistance

Provides a community outreach event. Services may include identification and license assistance, SNAP, EBT, and Veterans assistance, clothing, shoes, hygiene items, haircuts, food bank, employment services, volunteer lawyers, youth services, housing and mental health assessments, and mail services. A hot lunch will be available. Services provided at each event depend on volunteers and available partners.

Thrive 2 Survive Community Event offered by Special Events in Clark and Skamania Counties at The Salvation Army Washougal

Offers a free hot meal and will host partner organizations providing free on demand services including the Department of Licensing, Clothing, Hygiene Supplies, Housing and Mental Health Assessments, and many more vital community resources.

Programs that provide clothing for people who need it. Available items depend on what has been donated and is on hand at any given time. The collection may include but does not specialize in children's clothes, work clothes, maternity clothes and shoes.

General Clothing Provision

Programs that provide information about specific youth-related topics such as alcohol and drug abuse; child abuse; sexuality; sexually transmitted infections; HIV/AIDS; birth control, pregnancy and choices; sexual assault; weight management; relationships; dealing with feelings; family concerns; dealing with rules; and school, career and life choices. Information may be accessed on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the needs and interests of youth.

Youth Issues Information Services

Programs that provide an address for individuals who have no permanent residence and who need an address to apply for public assistance, or for travelers who need a place where mail can be sent.

Temporary Mailing Address

Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for a specific target group or human services sector (for example, youth programs or addiction services) and which link individuals who are in need of specialized services with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.

Specialized Information and Referral

Programs that organizes suppers, lunches or other get-togethers that give community residents an opportunity to meet one another in a friendly and informal atmosphere while sharing a meal. Community meals are generally sponsored by churches, libraries and other local community organizations and coordinated by volunteers.

Community Meals

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand shoes. Included are odd shoe exchanges.

Shoes

Programs, often available through senior centers, neighborhood centers, homeless shelters or  drop in centers, or other similar organizations, that offer the on-site services of beauticians, barbers and/or manicurists for people who need to have their hair or nails done. Services may include hair coloring treatment, permanent waves, haircuts, shaves, wash and sets, manicures and cosmetic pedicures which improve the appearance of the feet and toenails. Also included are programs that provide haircuts for homeless people, children from low-income families returning to school and other targeted individuals.

Hair and Nail Care

Public or private organizations that provide showers, baths or other facilities where homeless people, travelers and others who do not have access to private bathing facilities can wash. Included are permanent shower facilities as well as mobile installations that can be moved from place to place. Also included are organizations that provide vouchers that people can use to access bathing facilities.

Public Showers/Baths

Programs that offer simple tests that people who are concerned about their emotional health can take to learn more about their symptoms and ways of coping with them. Individuals generally have an opportunity to see a film and/or hear a talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment of specific mental health conditions; complete a screening questionnaire; and talk about the results with a mental health professional. People who show signs of a disorder are encouraged to seek further evaluation and, potentially, treatment. Most mental health screenings are confidential and available at no cost. Mental health screenings may also be available by telephone or online.

Mental Health Screening

Programs that sponsor events which provide opportunities for veterans, homeowners, students, older adults, women, people who are homeless, people with disabilities or other groups to learn about, apply for and/or receive any of a broad range of services and supports available in their community. Exhibitors and featured services vary depending on the population targeted for attendance, but may include business, educational, health, human service and/or civic organizations that offer information and/or services related to legal issues, public assistance, basic needs (food/clothing/shelter), employment, health, mental health, housing or other issues.

Resource and Service Fairs

Programs that issue documentation that is designed to prove the identity of the person carrying it.

Identification Cards

Programs that issue permits which provide written authorization for an individual to operate a motor vehicle on public roads and highways following successful completion of a written and/or driving examination and a vision test. These programs also renew driver licenses that are about to expire, replace driver licenses that are lost or stolen, and process name and address changes.

Driver Licenses

Organizations that are part of a community-wide, coordinated effort to identify, assess and find appropriate options for homeless individuals and families seeking housing or related services, and/or for those at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The number of physical access points in the community for intake and assessment may vary (no wrong door), but all sites use the same assessment and targeting tools; make referrals using the same criteria and have access to the same set of resources including homelessness prevention (e.g., rent assistance), shelters, shelter diversion programs, service centers, transitional housing programs, permanent housing programs and outreach programs. Most coordinated entry programs also include real-time knowledge about program inventory and capacity, referral and waiting list management, and enrollment/admission decision criteria as process components.

Housing Related Coordinated Entry

Programs that pay for or provide soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, combs, brushes, cotton swabs, deodorant, facial tissue, toilet paper and other personal hygiene/grooming supplies for homeless people and other individuals who need them.

Filters

Focus Population

Information and Referral Program offered by American Civil Liberties Union of Washington

Thrive 2 Survive Community Event offered by Special Events in Clark and Skamania Counties at The Salvation Army Washougal