The Future: A Vision for Oregon

Employment First The intent of this project is to improve opportunities for individualized community- based employment for Oregonians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

We Believe… Everyone can work and there is a job for everyone. Our job is to be creative and tenacious in providing support. Not working should be the exception. All individuals, schools, families, and businesses must raise their expectations. People will be hired because of their ability not because they have a disability.

Communities embrace people who contribute. Everyone has something to contribute and needs to contribute. People are healthier, safer, and happiest with meaningful work. True employment is not a social service. Employment is a win/win for everybody. Beliefs created 9/2/10 by a group of Oregon Statewide leaders.

The Future: A Vision for Oregon The Governor’s Executive Order 1. We must all work together (VR, ODE, ODDS)- it calls for the lead agencies to coordinate efforts 2. Oregon will prioritize efforts to create and support employment opportunities that are integrated (vs. segregated), in community, that pay a competitive wage. 3. These changes will result in a system that is responsive to individuals desire to work in community 4. Closes the front door to sheltered workshops

The Future: A Vision for Oregon 40/40/20 Goal By 2025:  40% of Oregonians will have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher  40% of Oregonians will have earned an associate’s degree or post-secondary credential  20% of Oregonians will have earned a high school diploma or it’s equivalent

Whole Life Employment College/Career Training Housing Community/ Social Activities

An Oregon Council of Developmental Disabilities Video

The Dignity of Risk What if you never got to make a mistake? What if your money was always kept in an envelope where you couldn’t get it? What if you were never given a chance to do well at something? What if you were always treated like a child? What if your only chance to be with people different from you was with your own family?

What if the job you did was not useful? What if you never got to make a decision? What if the only risky thing you could do was to act out? What if you took the wrong bus once and now you aren’t allowed to take another one? What if you worked and you got 46 cents an hour?

What if you had no privacy? What if you could do part of the grocery shopping, but weren’t allowed to do any because you weren’t able to do all the shopping? What if you grew old and never knew adulthood? What if you never got a chance? -Author Unknown

High Expectations EXPECT NOTHING LESS THAN………. GREAT!!

Students on High Expectations.....

TOGETHER THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!