Opening its doors to the public on May 16, the Multnomah County Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services Division (IDDSD) is set to host its annual Information Fair. The event promises to be a vital resource for individuals with neurodiversity and their families, offering free access to a host of local service providers. The fair, under the banner "A World of Opportunity: Here in Our Community," takes place at the DHS Conference and Training Center, located at 11826 NE Glisan Street in Portland, Oregon, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
According to a recent announcement by Multnomah County, attendees can look forward to connecting with a range of organizations and professionals. The lineup includes Vocational Rehabilitation representatives, local brokerage agencies, and personal support workers. The array of services presented will cover residential services, summer activities, employment and training opportunities, educational initiatives, transportation solutions, social groups, and respite care, among others.
The Information Fair isn’t just about guiding nearly 7,000 county residents experiencing various neurodiverse conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disabilities to services. It's also about providing a welcoming environment complete with activities. While engaging with informational booths, visitors can also partake in games and stand a chance to win prizes.
With no requirement for advance registration, the event is poised for a strong turnout. Its host venue, the DHS Conference and Training Center, is easily reachable by public transportation, with free parking on-site to accommodate those traveling by car. "This year's resource fair will be an interactive and engaging event," expressed IDDSD Director Alexis Alberti. "We aim to make a broad range of services and information accessible to families and individuals experiencing neurodiversity in our community," according to a Multnomah County announcement. Alberti also stressed the objective of fostering well-being and community integration.
Alberti highlighted the importance of this event in a statement by Multnomah County. “In addition to educating the community about our program and related services, this event aims to improve the well-being and community integration of our public consumers. We wish to support participants with future opportunities.” With events like these, Multnomah County continues to strongly support residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing more opportunities and resources locally.
