 Happy Thanksgiving!
Today, UCP Oregon expresses profound gratitude for the support of the UCP community—our customers, employees, supporters and partners—and the larger intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) community. We couldn’t do it without you! UCP Oregon also recognizes the complex history and ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous peoples. Today is Thanksgiving, but it’s also the National Day of Mourning. The National Day of Mourning serves as a reminder to honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples, acknowledging their contributions and confronting the injustices they continue to endure. As we gather with friends and family, let us use this time not only for gratitude but also for reflection and commitment to a more just and inclusive society for everyone. Two of UCP Oregon’s teams (UCP Connections and UCP Mentors), and UCP’s Director of Brokerage Services, Sarah Noack, would like to share the links below. These links celebrate thoughtful, action-oriented ways to acknowledge the traditions and people who are the original stewards of the land we all live and work on.
 Did you know that November is Native American Heritage Month?
UCP Oregon is headquartered in Portland, Oregon (in Multnomah County). This region encompasses the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tualatin Kalapuya, Wasco, Molalla, Tumwater, Cowlitz and Watlala bands of the Chinook, and others. In November, and always, UCP Oregon celebrates the rich and diverse contributions, cultures, and histories of the Native peoples of North America. We acknowledge the challenges Native people have faced in the past and today. And we amplify Native voices. If you’d like to learn from and participate in the 2023 Native American Heritage Month, here are some ideas:  It's October, and you know what that means... fall leaves, cooler weather… and NDEAM! NDEAM stands for "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." NDEAM happens every October, but at UCP Oregon, we believe in creating and celebrating access and opportunity every day! Our Supported Employment division (known as “Employment Solutions”) has been assisting people with disabilities to find and keep their dream jobs in the community since 2006. Want to find out more about we can do for you? If you’re a job-seeker who experiences disabilities, our services (include:
If you’re an employer who’s interested in hiring a more diverse workforce, or if you’d like to make a difference by sharing an hour or two of your time, we’d love to talk to you.
 This October, the national United Cerebral Palsy organization is hosting its second annual UCP 2023 Conference on Latinos with Disabilities.
The event is open to the public, and admission is free for all UCP Oregon staff, board members, and others in UCP Oregon's community network. (Email jgarcia@ucp.org for special promo code.) The event happens October 17-19, 11am to 3:30pm EST each day. The conference will be held virtually, and will spotlight the role, impact, and influence of Latinos in the disability community. While many of the topics addressed will be of interest to the general disability community, the conference highlights the distinct ways (culturally, socially, economically and historically) that Latinos with disabilities, their families and service providers shape our society and communities at large.  It's October 6th, and around the world people are honoring World Cerebral Palsy Day. Last year, this day reached over 10 million people and was celebrated in 100+ countries.
World Cerebral Palsy Day holds special significance for UCP Oregon. As you may know, we started operations in 1955 by supporting children who experienced cerebral palsy. Over the years, we expanded our services to support adults and children who experience any intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD). But we never lost track of our roots. Today, our Family Support Department supports hundreds of families who are raising children with cerebral palsy or a closely-related disability. On October 6th, we celebrate and honor everyone who experiences cerebral palsy in our community. We also shine a light on the 17+ million people worldwide who experience cerebral palsy—and the 350 million people who are closely connected to them. Today and always, let us remember our community’s history; honor our joys and our struggles; and continue to work towards a future where there truly is a community for everyone.  Do you remember what you were doing on July 26, 1990? Probably not. Maybe you weren’t even born yet!
But thirty-three years ago, something amazing happened. It was the day that the “Americans with Disabilities Act” (ADA) was finally passed. The ADA bans discrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, public services, public accommodation, transit, and telecommunications. Berkshire Associates describes the ADA as “the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities.” As the ADA itself says, “The ADA reflects a recognition that the surest path to America's continued vitality, strength and vibrancy is through the full realization of the contributions of all of its citizens.” Happy Birthday, ADA!  Happy Disability Pride Month!
What does Disability Pride Month mean to you? For some people, Disability Pride Month is a time to speak out and take action. Other folks may use it as a chance to seek community or share their story. And for some people, Disability Pride Month is a time for deep introspection. Whatever this month means to you, UCP Oregon celebrates you and your story.  On June 19th, we hope you’ll join UCP Oregon in celebrating and honoring the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, news did not reach some enslaved communities until over two years later, on June 19, 1865 (now known as "Juneteenth.") Since then, many people have celebrated on Juneteenth each year. Finally, in 2021, Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday. On Juneteenth--and every day--we recognize and remember the ongoing struggle for equal rights and freedom.  Happy Pride Month!
Around the country, people are celebrating the power of authenticity and self-expression. It’s a time to a time to reflect on the achievements of LGBTQIA+ activists, who have fought tirelessly for equality and acceptance. It’s a time to acknowledge that the fight isn’t over. And it’s a time to support and uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, who so often have been marginalized. This month (and always!) UCP Oregon stands united in our commitment to building a more inclusive and accepting world for all. Happy Pride!  May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
There are more than 18 million Asian Americans in America today. More than 1.3 million of them experience some form of disability. There are also 612,857 native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders living in the United States; almost 65,000 of them experience disabilities. Ollie Cantos is a Filipino-American attorney who has been blind since birth. He successfully upheld anti-discrimination laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. At one point, he was the highest-ranking person with a disability in the federal government. Ollie reminds us that these battles are still being fought every day, saying, "As a society, yet again, we are at a critical crossroads. By coming together to amplify our voices, in the spirit of the great Mahatma Gandhi, we each get to BE the change we want to see." What change do YOU want to be?
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