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! One of our employees, who is parenting a child with autism, has the following links to share:
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:
Happy February!
February is Black History Month. This annual observance provides a unique opportunity to recognize the resilience, contributions, and achievements of Black individuals throughout history. At UCP Oregon, we’re spending the month honoring and celebrating the voices and stories of Black individuals. This month—and always—UCP Oregon stands united in our commitment to learning and growing as we help create a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone. Want to do and learn more this month? Today, UCP Oregon honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an inspiring beacon of hope and a tireless champion for justice.
Dr. King's tireless advocacy for civil rights laid the foundation for a more inclusive society, transcending barriers and fostering a spirit of equality. As Dr. King said, “"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." How are you honoring MLK Day 2024? 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! |
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