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 “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!

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.

What if you were confined to a state-run hospital against your will? A mere 25 years ago, this was the case for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

In 1999, two women (Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson) found themselves in this situation.

As children, Lois and Elaine had both been placed in a state-run psychiatric institution—Lois at age 11, and Elaine at age 15. As adults, they wanted to move back into their own communities. But the state wouldn't let them.

Over the years, Elaine Wilson found herself living in 36 different institutions. As she later said, "When I was in an institution, I didn't like myself. I was trapped. I thought, ‘Oh God, oh God, when am I ever going to leave here?’"

Elaine and Lois out to an attorney named Sue Jamieson at Atlanta Legal. Sue helped them sue the state, and eventually the case went all the way to the Supreme Court.
 
On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation and institutionalization of people who experience disabilities is unlawful discrimination.

After the decision, both Lois and Elaine were able to live in the community. Lois Curtis became an artist and ran her own business. In 2011, she presented one of her paintings to President Obama in the Oval Office.
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Both Lois and Elaine have passed away, but their legacy and courage will live on forever.
 
You can learn more about them, and the Olmstead case, here: https://www.aapd.com/statement-olmstead-25/.

Today is a special day for everyone who experiences or cares about people who experience intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD).
 
It’s the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in a case called Olmstead v. L.C.

On June 22, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the ADA. This landmark decision requires states to provide services in the most integrated settings, promoting community participation for all.

UCP Oregon also celebrates our involvement in the historic Lane v. Brown case, filed in 2012. The lawsuit challenged Oregon's use of segregated, sheltered workshops that paid sub-minimum wages to people who experience I/DD.
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The Lane v. Brown case was settled in 2015, and led to significant changes, including the closure of all sheltered workshops in Oregon by 2020 and the provision of competitive, integrated employment opportunities for thousands of individuals.

Cheers to 25 years of progress!

Today (June 19th) is Juneteenth!
 
This day marks the emancipation of the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas. Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward equality.
 
Juneteenth is not just a time to reflect on the past, but a moment to honor the culture, achievements, and contributions of the Black community.

Happy Pride Month from UCP Oregon!
 
As we step into June, we're filled with excitement and pride to join the global celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride. At UCP Oregon, we champion diversity, inclusion, and the power of love in all its beautiful forms.
 
This Pride Month, we honor the courage, strength, and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those with disabilities. Your stories inspire us, your voices empower us, and your presence enriches our community.
 
Join us in celebrating love, acceptance, and equality. Let's continue to build a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and loved for who they are.
 
Happy Pride!

May is Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
 
Interesting Facts:

• AAPI Month was first celebrated in 1990.
• AAPI is an umbrella term that includes 50 distinct ethnic groups; these groups speak over 100 languages.
• The AAPI community is one of fastest growing populations within the U.S.
• Portland’s AAPI population increased by more than 30% between 2010 and 2020.
• Portland’s AAPI community is incredibly diverse, and includes people with roots in China, Hawaii, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Samoa, Tonga, Vietnam, and many regions.

 
The intersection of an Asian identity, and a disabled identity, can often be complicated. 1 in 10 Asian adults in the U.S. (and 1 in 6 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander adults) experience at least one disability.
 
However, as Austin Tam says, Asian Americans with disabilities often feel that they are “very invisible.” Austin adds, “there is a huge cultural stigma, and taboo... [which] often presents challenges to families because of fear of embarrassment or shame.” Austin shares his story, so that “others in our community do not have to be silent, ashamed, embarrassed, or have to be invisible any longer.”
 
This month, and always, UCP recognizes the resilience, diversity, and beauty of the AAPI community, and reaffirms our commitment to fostering inclusivity, equity, and solidarity across all communities.
 
Happy AAPI Heritage Month from UCP Oregon!
 
PS: Want to learn more about AAPI month, and Austin Tam? Click here: https://www.disabilityrightstn.org/celebrating-asian-american-pacific-islander-aapi-heritage-month/
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Happy April! Along with some well-deserved sunshine, April 1st brings us the start of “Autism Acceptance Month.”

Autism is near and dear to our hearts. 1 out of every 36 children in the United States has autism, as do more than 5.4 million adults in the United States. 
 
Thank you for joining UCP as we celebrate neurodiversity, and continue in our fight to create an inclusive environment for everyone!

Happy March! As you may know, March Women’s History Month.

And this theme for this year’s national celebration is rad: “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.”

That sure sounds like a lot of people we know here at UCP Oregon!

To kick off the month, here's a round-up of inspiring quotes from women who fought for true equality, diversity and inclusion:

Inspiring Quotes for Women's History Month:

• “Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), political figure, diplomat, activist, First Lady.
• "The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity," Amelia Earhart (1897-1937?), aviation pioneer.
• “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” – Rosa Parks (1913-2005), civil rights activist.
• "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." - Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005), U.S. Congresswoman.
• “My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou (1928-2014), memoirist, poet, civil rights activist.
• “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” – Madeleine Albright (1937-2022), U.S. Secretary of State.
• “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King (1943 - ), tennis champion.
• "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." - Alice Walker (1944 - ), novelist, short story writer, poet, social activist.
• “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
  ― Malala Yousafzai (1997- ), Pakistani female education activist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

PS: The quotes above came from a great article from the History Channel. Read it here.