Developmental Disabilities

Oregon Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The Oregon Department of Human Services, Division of Seniors and People with Disabilities, is responsible for the administration of programs that increase the independence of, and help to protect, seniors and people with disabilities. Its functions include abuse investigation, in-home, group-home and crisis services for people with developmental disabilities. Another function is eligibility determination for federal Social Security Disability benefits.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Division (VRD) assists Oregonians who have, or are suspected of having, physical or mental impairments that may be barriers to employment. The purpose of the rehabilitation services program is to provide assistance to meet the individual needs of eligible consumers. Services may include vocational counseling and guidance, evaluation, physical and mental restoration, skills training, job placement, and preparation for independent living. VRD offers services in collaboration and partnership with other state agencies, local community rehabilitation programs, independent living service providers, and business and industry.

Sheltered Employment

Sheltered employment is a service which provides a controlled and protected environment, additional supervision and other supports for individuals engaged in remunerative work either in a sheltered workshop or in the community. Sheltered employment provides paid work in a setting where all or most employees are persons with disabilities. Typical in these settings is assembly, janitorial, or recycling. For more information and to check eligibility, contact:

Competitive Employment

Supported employment is a service available from OVRS and Seniors and Persons with Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities. The two agencies work in partnership and build one plan to help an individual get and keep a job. OVRS resources are used initially for necessary job development and job coaching. A person with developmental disabilities may then use his or her own budget or allocated funding to assure essential ongoing job support.

Health and Safety

OR-OSHA trained safety and health professionals provide consultative services to help employers identify and correct occupational safety and health hazards. These services are designed to help reduce work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, and the associated high cost of workers' compensation insurance. All services are provided at no cost to the employer. Consultative Services helps employers and employees evaluate work environments and increase awareness of occupational safety and health in the workplace. Staff members also help firms develop their own occupational safety and health programs.

In Oregon, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OR-OSHA) administers the Oregon Safe Employment Act and enforces Oregon's occupational safety and health rules. These rules establish minimum safety and health standards for all industries and outline specific standards for individual industries such as logging and agriculture. A primary OR-OSHA objective is to improve occupational safety and health in workplaces throughout the state while maintaining a system that is fair to both workers and employers.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Hundreds of adults in Oregon with developmental disabilities experience abuse or neglect each year. The number may be much more - many cases are never reported to the proper authorities. Historically, people with disabilities have been discriminated against because of their disabilities, seen as incapable and helpless, separated from society-at-large and denied opportunities for education and other life experiences. Misperceptions and stereotypes about people with disabilities also put people with disabilities at an increased risk to experience abuse and neglect. Abuse of adults with developmental disabilities and other vulnerable adults is never okay. In some cases the abuse is a criminal act that can be prosecuted by local, state and even federal authorities. If you believe abuse is occurring, immediately contact your county developmental disability program. Or, you may also report abuse to the Department of Human Services by calling the Office of Investigations and Training at (503) 945-9495 or toll free at 1-866-406-4287. The Oregon Advocacy Center (ORC) is an independent non-profit organization which provides legal advocacy services for people with disabilities anywhere in Oregon. OAC is designated under federal law as the protection and advocacy system for Oregon, but it is not a part of the state or federal government. OAC has attorneys and advocates who assist people with disabilities. OAC offers free legal assistance and other advocacy services to individuals who are considered to have physical or mental disabilities. OAC works only on legal problems which relate directly to the disability. The OAC staff gives advice and information about the rights of people with disabilities. This includes advice about civil rights, special education, health care, rights to public and private services, guardianship and rights in care facilities. OAC can investigate complaints of abuse and neglect in care facilities and programs. It can assist persons with disabilities in advocating treatment, support or educational services.

Protection and Advocacy

Another advocacy source is the Oregon Disabilities Commission. The Oregon Disabilities Commission was created by the Legislative Assembly in 1985 to advocate on behalf of Oregonians with disabilities. The mandates of the Commission are many and varied. The Commission's authorizing statute mandates that it advise the Governor, the Legislative Assembly, the Department of Human Services and other state agencies on disability issues. It is designated as the administrator of the state's Client Assistance Program (CAP). The CAP assists clients of Rehabilitation-Act-funded programs to pursue grievances or claims with their rehabilitation program. The agency is also responsible for providing information regarding rehabilitation services to people with disabilities. The Governor also designated the Commission as the state's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinating Agency. In 1995 the Governor designated the Oregon Disabilities Commission the state's grantee for funds from the federal Technology Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. The Commission took over administration of the Technology Access for Life Needs program which was established under the Tech Act by the Vocational Rehabilitation Division.