With October marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Oregon is stepping up its game to celebrate the contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce. Events throughout the state are set to highlight the theme "celebrating value and talent," showcasing the vital roles people with disabilities play in their jobs and communities. Despite progress, a significant employment gap remains—47% of Oregon residents with disabilities, ages 18 to 64, were employed in 2023, in stark contrast to the 79.7% employment rate of those without disabilities.
Oregon's Employment First Coordinator, Allison Enriquez, emphasizes the strength that comes from inclusion. "Our communities and economy are stronger when people with disabilities are included," she told the Oregon Newsroom. Enriquez points out a commitment to improving equal employment opportunities and stresses that, "For too long, people with disabilities did not have equal access to good jobs with fair wages in their communities." The state is pushing to build and maintain employment supports and connections that allow everyone to fully participate in their communities.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) along with other state agencies have arranged a series of webinars focusing on supporting the employment of people with disabilities. Interested individuals can to join these online events running from noon to 1:15 p.m. on various days in October.
Topics covered in the webinars include "Beyond the classroom: Celebrating work-based learning" on October 7, "Building financial futures: work and save with Oregon ABLE and EPD" on October 14, and "Technology, artificial intelligence and employment" on October 28. These sessions aim to educate about the resources and services available for job seekers with disabilities. Details and accessibility information can be found on the Oregon’s NDEAM event web page.
Oregon is not lacking in initiatives to support its residents with disabilities in achieving employment goals. State programs include the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, which provides employment services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Vocational Rehabilitation, which assists individuals with various disabilities to find and keep jobs, as well as advance in their careers. Individuals with vision loss can seek help through the Oregon Commission for the Blind, while federal programs like Ticket to Work offer free assistance for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income recipients seeking employment. Additionally, the Employed Persons with Disabilities program allows workers with disabilities to remain Medicaid eligible, and the Oregon ABLE Savings Plan offers a safe way to save without risking government benefits. For those who need it, free benefits counseling is also accessible. More information on these resources can be found on the ODHS website under the "Get Help Finding a Job" section.
