Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities

Oregon Department of Human Services

Save the dates! October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Commission for the Blind and Oregon Department of Education have organized a webinar series to educate the community about disability employment services and celebrate the many workplace successes.

Join us for:

- Oct. 6: Lunch and Learn for Business: Celebrating talent and transforming workplaces

- Oct. 13: Oregon as a Model Employer: Promoting employment and career advancement for people with disabilities in state and local government

- Oct. 20: What is ableism and why it matters in the workplace

- Oct. 27: Technology in employment

- Nov. 3: Peer2Peer: An award-winning employment mentorship program for students with disabilities

Learn more and get links to the sessions here: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/blog-save-the-date-for-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-webinars

On Wednesday, Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Director Liesl Wendt spoke before the Oregon Legislature about recent federal actions affecting how the U.S. Department of Justice interprets and enforces disability rights. Governor Tina Kotek also recently joined 17 other governors in sending a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the federal government to continue its longstanding support for disability rights and community-based services.

We want to be absolutely clear: Oregon remains committed to upholding the vision of the Olmstead decision and ensuring people with disabilities can live, work and participate in their communities with the supports they need.

Oregon has been working toward the goals set up by the Olmstead decision for decades. From Oregon Project Independence to Oregon Employment First and home and community-based services, we continue to work on expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to live with greater choice and independence.

Even though the federal Department of Justice will no longer rely on its previous Olmstead guidance, Oregon’s commitment remains unchanged:

- The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 remain law.
- The Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision still stands.
- Federal regulations supporting integrated services remain in place.
- Medicaid home and community-based services rules remain in place.
- Oregon’s Employment First law and policy still stand.

Read the governors' letter here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-sends-letter-urging-trump-administration-not-retreat-federal-disability-law

Community-based services create jobs in every community.

Direct support professionals, nurses, therapists, transportation providers, home health workers, and other professionals make it possible for people to live independently.

These jobs:
- Support local businesses.
- Keep people employed.
- Strengthen the healthcare workforce.
- Generate economic activity in communities large and small.

Investing in community services is also an investment in local economies.

Learn more on our Home Sweet Home page here: https://nacdd.org/home-sweet-home/

NCIL Statement on Texas v. Kennedy Order Rescinding Community Integration Provisions of Section 504 Regulations

Dear Independent Living Community,

Yesterday afternoon, the federal judge in the ongoing case of Texas v. Kennedy issued a ruling.

For more information on this case, see DREDF’s explainer: https://dredf.org/protect-504/

The order approved by the judge was filed as counsel by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services and the states of Texas, Florida, Alaska, Louisiana, and Montana. It affects only certain parts of the 2024 rule. The case is now closed.

This order rescinds the regulations that enforce the community integration provisions of Section 504. This applies to all states, not just the states that sued. States may now choose not to enforce community integration.

However, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Supreme Court’s Olmstead v. L.C. decision remain in place. We continue to have the legal right to community integration and to receive services in the least restrictive setting of our choice.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4xNJQwG

Image: Information ALERT – National Council on Independent Living Advocacy and Action Center graphic features two abstract letters A, reflected horizontally in purple and green.

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) has joined Defending Community Integration Coalition's statement on Texas v. Kennedy ruling. Oregon remains committed to providing community-based services that support independent and integrated living for people with disabilities. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/ORHumanServices/posts/on-wednesday-oregon-department-of-human-services-odhs-director-liesl-wendt-spoke/1392696199639347/

DCIC Statement: Texas v. Kennedy Abandons Federal Commitment to Community Integration - National Council on Independent Living Yesterday, the federal judge in the case of Texas v. Kennedy entered an order throwing out the...

🚨 Message from AAPD: "It's serious... but remember: We still have rights. The Americans with Disabilities Act is still the law. Section 504 is still the law. The Olmstead decision is still the law." Thank you AAPD for sharing this important update. , to learn more, please follow American Association of People with Disabilities or go to: https://www.aapd.com/

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