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Disability Pride Month, 2025: From the Desk of Ann

7/5/2025

 
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July is Disability Pride Month—a time to celebrate disability as identity, culture, and community.

But this year, it also arrives in the shadow of uncertainty. With major cuts to Medicaid recently signed into law, many in the disability community are feeling the weight of what might come next.

That’s why this month matters more than ever.

As UCP Oregon's Executive Director, Ann Coffey, writes, “Pride isn’t about ignoring hard truths. It’s about embracing the whole story—joy and pain, struggle and strength—and finding ways to move forward, together.”

Read Ann’s full message here.

We’re also taking time this month to honor the Disability Pride Flag, a powerful symbol of visibility, identity, and resistance. Did you know it was redesigned in 2021 to be more accessible for people with visual sensitivities?

Here’s what each part of the flag represents:
  • Black background: Mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse.
  • Red stripe: Physical disabilities.
  • Gold stripe: Neurodivergence.
  • White stripe: Invisible or undiagnosed disabilities.
  • Blue stripe: Psychiatric disabilities.
  • Green stripe: Sensory disabilities, including blindness and deafness.

You can learn more about the flag’s redesign here.

Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, or somewhere in between—we’re glad you’re here.

​#DisabilityPride #DisabilityPride2025 #UCPOregon #MedicaidMatters #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

​Celebrating Pride 2025

6/1/2025

 
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June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate, reflect, and stand with our LGBTQIA2S+ community. At UCP Oregon, we honor the diverse identities and experiences within our community, including those of our clients, families, and staff.
​
This month (and always!), we’re proud to recognize the strength and resilience of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, especially those living with disabilities. Your stories matter, and we're here to support and uplift you.

Looking to join in the celebrations? Here are some local events happening around Portland:
  • Portland Pride Waterfront Festival & Parade
    July 19–20 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
    A vibrant weekend filled with music, food, and community.
    Details: portlandpride.org
  • Pride Portland! Parade & Festival
    June 21.
    A day of celebration and unity in downtown Portland.
    More info: prideportland.org
  • Multnomah County Library Pride Events
    Family-friendly activities throughout June, including storytimes and art projects.
    Schedule: multcolib.org
  • Indigiqueer Pride Gathering
    June 1, 1–4 PM at Midland Library.
    Celebrating Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer voices with performances and activities.
    Event details: PDX Parent, Queer Social Club
  • Portland Pride Run
    June 14.
    A fun run supporting LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
    Register: The Official Guide to Portland

Pride is more than a month—it’s a commitment to inclusion, visibility, and love. We stand with you this June and every day.

Autism Acceptance Month Starts Today!

4/1/2025

 
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It’s April 1st—and that means it’s Autism Acceptance Month.

At UCP Oregon, we believe in listening to autistic voices, honoring lived experience, and creating real inclusion—not just awareness.

We’re proud to support autistic kids, adults, and families every day of the year. We’re glad you’re here.💛

PS: We asked a UCP employee (who’s also the parent of a child who experiences autism) to share a few favorite resources. See below.

​She also recommends searching the hashtag #ActuallyAutistic to hear directly from autistic people in their own words.

Resources:
  • Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) – run by and for autistic people.
  • Autism Acceptance vs. Autism Awareness (Autism Parenting Magazine) – explains the shift from awareness to acceptance.
  • Autism Society of Oregon – support, events, and advocacy across the state.

Today is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day!

3/25/2025

 
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💚Happy Spring! Happy National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day! 💚

Today—March 25th—we’re joining people across the country to celebrate National CP Awareness Day!

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, but it’s also about so much more than a diagnosis. It’s a vibrant, diverse community of kids, adults, families, caregivers, and allies who are redefining what inclusion, opportunity, and independence look like every day.

Here at UCP Oregon, we’re celebrating all the amazing folks with CP who are part of our community!

Plus our Family Support Department is getting in the spirit today with a fun bowling outing, where kiddos and families will be decked out in green to celebrate.


💚 Want to know how YOU can support CP awareness?💚
  • Wear green today—and all month long!
  • Take time to learn more about CP and the disability community.
  • Amplify the voices of those with lived experience.

HAPPY DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MONTH (2025)!

3/10/2025

 
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Hey UCP Oregon friends!

Wow, what a busy month! At UCP Oregon, we’re celebrating:
·      Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
·      National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (March 25th).
·      UCP Oregon’s Bill Porter Memorial Fund 2025 Application Period (March 1-31st).

We’re also celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM).
The 2025 theme for DDAM is “We’re Here All Year.” Because people with disabilities aren’t just part of the community in March—they’re here, making a difference, every single day.

DDAM started in 1987, when President Reagan officially declared March as a time to raise awareness about inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. We’ve come a long way since then, but there’s still more to do!

This year’s DDAM theme was chosen by people with disabilities to send a clear message: they are part of the community every single day, not just in March. It’s a reminder that inclusion, accessibility, and belonging should happen all year long.
At UCP Oregon, we see that in action every day—people with disabilities working, creating, advocating, and living their lives just like everyone else. And when we make our communities more accessible, everyone benefits.

We’d love for you to be part of this month’s celebration! Share a story, a photo, or a moment that highlights inclusion in action. Let’s show the world what real belonging looks like.

#DDAwareness #ddawareness2025 #DDAwarenessMonth ​

​March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!

3/7/2025

 
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Happy almost spring! And happy Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!
​

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Seventeen million people experience CP worldwide; in the United States, around 1 million people experience CP.

UCP Oregon has been supporting folks who experience CP since 1955. We’re proud to be part of this community and to offer the resources and advocacy that help people with CP live life on their own terms.
​

💚 Want to support CP awareness?💚
  • Wear green this month to show your support.
  • Take time to learn more about CP and the disability community.
  • Amplify the voices of those with lived experience.
  • Celebrate National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day on March 25th.

PS: On March 25th, our Family Support Department will be celebrating a fun bowling outing, where kiddos and families will be decked out in green to show their support.

​
Check your email, because an invitation went out earlier this week!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, UCP FAMILY!

11/28/2024

 
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Happy Thanksgiving, UCP Family!

Today, we’re feeling extra grateful for all of YOU—our amazing customers, staff, families, board members, supporters, and partners, as well as the larger intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community. You’re the heart of everything we do, and we couldn’t be more thankful to have you in our corner.

We also want to take a moment to reflect on what this day means for Indigenous peoples. For many, it’s not just Thanksgiving—it’s also the National Day of Mourning, a time to honor the strength and resilience of Native communities and to remember the injustices they continue to face.

So, as you gather with loved ones, let’s celebrate all we’re grateful for while also committing to building a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.

Wishing you love, connection, and a full plate this Thanksgiving!

HAPPY 2024 NDEAM!

10/1/2024

 
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It's October, and you know what that means... fall leaves, cooler weather, and NDEAM!
 
NDEAM stands for “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and to promote inclusive hiring practices.
 
While NDEAM comes around every October, at UCP Oregon, we're committed to creating access and opportunity all year long!
 
That’s why we created our Employment Solutions division almost 20 years ago! Since then, we’ve assisted hundreds of job-seekers and employers in the Portland area.
 
Are you a job seeker with disabilities? We offer a huge range of customized services, including:
  • Resume building.
  • Job search support.
  • Interview preparation and assistance.
  • On-the-job coaching and support.
  • Skills training.
 
Are you an employer who has hard-to-fill positions? Or are you hoping to make a difference with very little time commitment? We offer a range of services including:
  • Job seekers selected to perfectly suit your company’s needs.
  • The chance to make an impact by donating an hour or two of your time.
 
Whether you're a job-seeker or an employer, Employment Solutions is here to help you make meaningful connections. Reach out to us today to learn more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ADA!

7/26/2024

 
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Happy birthday to the “Americans with Disabilities Act” (ADA)!
 
We’re proud to tell you that the national UCP organization (United Cerebral Palsy) played a big role in getting the ADA passed.

 
Here, in their words, is what they did:
  1. Coalition Building: UCP worked closely with other disability rights organizations to build a strong coalition that could effectively lobby for the ADA. This collaboration helped to unify the message and strengthen the push for legislative action.
  2. Testimonies and Lobbying: Representatives from UCP provided testimonies before Congress, sharing stories and data to illustrate the discrimination faced by people with disabilities. Their lobbying efforts were crucial in gaining support from lawmakers.
  3. Public Campaigns: UCP engaged in public campaigns to mobilize grassroots support for the ADA. They educated the public and policymakers about the importance of the legislation and how it would improve the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities.
  4. Drafting and Policy Input: UCP, along with other disability advocacy groups, contributed to the drafting of the ADA. They provided valuable input on the language and provisions of the bill to ensure it would be effective in addressing the issues faced by people with disabilities.
 
And it worked! The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed on July 26, 1990.
 
It has been described as “the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities.” It prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, public services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.
 
Today, UCP Oregon celebrates the ADA and the progress our nation has made towards a more inclusive society. But there is still work to be done. Join us in our fight to ensure full equality and accessibility for everyone!

​Happy Disability Pride Month!

7/1/2024

 
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This July, UCP Oregon is proud to join the global celebration of Disability Pride Month.
 
Disability Pride Month is a time to honor the history, achievements, and culture of the disability community.
 
It's a time to embrace and celebrate our unique identities and to amplify the voices of people with disabilities.
 
Join UCP Oregon in celebrating 2024 Disability Pride Month! Together, we can create a more inclusive world where everyone is valued and respected.
 
Curious about the History of Disability Pride Month?
 
Disability Pride Month originated in July 1990, coinciding with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
 
In 2024, numerous events are scheduled to celebrate Disability Pride Month across various cities.
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Portland, OR 97220

​Phone: 503-777-4166
​Fax: 503-771-8048
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  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
    • Board Portal >
      • Board Meetings
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        • Executive Commitee
        • Family Support Task Force
        • Finance and Investment Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Recruitment Committee
        • Strategic Planning Committee
      • Board Members
      • OTHER >
        • Board Documents
        • UCP Oregon Documents
        • Bill Porter
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services
    • Supported Employment >
      • For Job-Seekers
      • For Employers
      • Be "Ability Aware"
    • Supported Living
    • Children's Services
    • Family Support
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Applicants >
      • Share Your BPMF Story
  • CAREERS
    • Why You'll Love UCP
    • Careers FAQ
  • NEWS
  • EVENTS
    • Family Support Workshops
    • OMSI Play Labs
    • Coffee Dates
    • Family Support Group
    • Skate & Roll
    • Walk, Roll 'n' Run
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Donate
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint
  • Share Your UCP Story
  • Join UCP Oregon's Board