Did you know March is National Disability Awareness Month?

Written by Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Program Intern Fawn Sybrant, Deschutes County Health Services Department

March was declared National Disability Awareness Month in 1987, with the goal to increase awareness and promote independence, integration, and inclusion of all people experiencing a disability.  President Ronald Reagan urged “all Americans to join me in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Celebrating National Disability Awareness Month reminds us that Oregon is consistently one of the leading states in the country in advancing legislation and policy that positively impact the lives of people experiencing a disability.  For example, Oregon is one of only five states in the country implementing Employment First, an initiative based on the belief that all working-age youth and adults experiencing a disability can work in fully integrated community settings.  This program serves thousands of people every month.  In our local community, Employment First is a partnership of such organizations as Abilitree, Full Access, Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon, Central Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation, Good-2-Go Oregon, local schools, and the Deschutes County Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities program.

Deschutes County Health Services Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities program currently serves 405 individuals experiencing a disability.  Many local organizations are doing great things to raise awareness and support our local community every day.  You can get involved by hiring a person with a disability, volunteering your time, becoming a personal support worker, or becoming a foster provider, among other opportunities.

If you are interested in learning more about Deschutes County Health Services Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities program services for yourself or someone you know, please call (541) 322-7554.