Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

A presentation about Oregon’s Employment First initiative and current strategies to increase access to competitive integrated employment and good jobs for all, including panelists from Oregon Self-Advocacy Organization and the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. Information about the Ross Ryan Self-Advocacy Employment Award will be shared.

Presenters and panelists

Allison Enriquez – Employment First Coordinator, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, Oregon Department of Human Services
Gabrielle Guedon – Executive Director, Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition
Julie Huber – Employment Policy Analyst, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, Oregon Department of Human Services

Hear from a panel about a variety of financial empowerment tools, training and resources to support people with disabilities to make their own decisions about money, work and advancing their careers.

Presenters and panelists

Christy Reese – Executive Director, FACT Oregon
Em Braman – Executive Director, The ARC Oregon

What does “Good Jobs for All” mean for people with disabilities? It means access to jobs with a livable wage, benefits, increased quality of life and independence. It also means putting an end to the prevalent notion that people with disabilities are best suited for specific types of jobs. This session aims to upend assumptions and showcase what “Good Jobs for All” can truly look like. You’ll hear from people with disabilities who overcame barriers to achieved careers that exceeded society’s expectations. While this session is specifically geared to Oregon businesses, people with disabilities and all allies are also invited to join this celebration of possibilities.

Presenters and panelists

Kim Copeland – Workforce and Business Coordinator, Vocational Rehabilitation program, Oregon Department of Human Services
Morgan Rincon – Business Relations Coordinator, Oregon Commission for the Blind
Chris – Workforce Diversity Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Nelacey – Human Services Specialist, Self-Sufficiency Programs, Oregon Department of Human Services; former client of the Oregon Commission for the Blind’s VR program.

Materials

• October 15 presentation slides
  

What’s your big dream for the future? It’s a question every teen hears, but for students with disabilities and their families, it can feel like a daunting challenge. Let’s flip the script and think beyond limits! Join us for a session that dives into state resources and cutting-edge programs that open doors to internships, apprenticeships, college and beyond for students with disabilities. This is your chance to discover how far you can really go.

Presenters and panelists

Sabrina Cunliffe – Inclusive Career Advancement Program manager, Vocational Rehabilitation program, Oregon Department of Human Services
Julie Silberman – Inclusive Career Advancement Program participant
Michelle Markle – Youth Services Manager, Vocational Rehabilitation program, Oregon Department of Human Services
Cathy Noles – Youth Transition Specialist, Corbett School District
Corbett High School student panel

Materials

• October 22 presentation slides
  

Attendees will hear personal stories from employees of Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) who have accessed VR services to obtain or maintain employment. This session is being presented by the ODHS Employee Resource Group, AbleNet, in partnership with VR.

Presenters and panelists

Shelley Koenig – Human Services Specialist, Oregon Department of Human Services
Josh Killingsworth – Human Services Specialist, Oregon Department of Human Services
Diane Navarrete – Communications Officer, Oregon Department of Human Services
Heather Lindsey – Deputy Director for Program Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation program, Oregon Department of Human Services
Joy Plummer – Co-Secretary, AbleNet
Amber Murray – Co-Chair, AbleNet
Katie Mijares Thompson – Work Incentives Network Program Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services
Bridget Dazey – Member of the State Rehabilitation Council and Executive Director of Clackamas Workforce Partnership

Materials

• October 29 presentation slides
  

Se ofrecerá una presentación sobre la iniciativa Employment First de Oregon y las estrategias actuales para aumentar el acceso a un empleo integrado competitivo y a buenos empleos para todos. Participarán panelistas de la Organización de Autodefensa de Oregon y el Programa para Discapacidades Intelectuales y del Desarrollo. También se compartirá información sobre el Premio Ross Ryan de Autodefensa del Empleo.

Un panel hablará sobre distintas herramientas de empoderamiento financiero, capacitación y recursos destinados a apoyar a las personas con discapacidad para que tomen sus propias decisiones sobre el dinero, el trabajo y el desarrollo de sus carreras profesionales.

¿Qué representa el tema “Buenos empleos para todos” para las personas con discapacidad? Representa acceso a empleos con un salario digno, beneficios, mejor calidad de vida e independencia. También representa el fin de la noción común de que las personas con discapacidad se ajustan mejor a ciertos tipos de empleos.

Esta sesión tiene el objetivo de cuestionar las suposiciones y demostrar cómo pueden ser realmente los “buenos empleos para todos.” Habrá testimonios de personas con discapacidad que superaron barreras y alcanzaron carreras profesionales que excedieron las expectativas de la sociedad. Si bien esta sesión está orientada a las empresas de Oregon, las personas con discapacidad y todos los aliados están invitados a acompañarnos en esta celebración de posibilidades.

¿Cuál es tu gran sueño para el futuro? Aunque esta es una pregunta común para todos los adolescentes, puede ser particularmente desafiante para los estudiantes con discapacidades y sus familias. ¡Cambiemos la perspectiva y pensemos más allá de los límites!

Acompáñenos en una sesión dedicada a explorar recursos estatales y programas de vanguardia que facilitan el acceso a pasantías, oportunidades de aprendizaje, estudios universitarios y más para los estudiantes con discapacidades. Es su oportunidad para descubrir qué tan lejos puede llegar.

Los asistentes escucharán historias personales de empleados del Departamento de Servicios Humanos (ODHS) de Oregon y de la Oregon Health Authority (OHA) que han utilizado los servicios de Rehabilitación Vocacional (VR) para conseguir o mantener su empleo. Esta sesión estará a cargo del Grupo de Recursos para Empleados del ODHS, AbleNet, en colaboración con Rehabilitación Vocacional.