Oregon celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October

Oregon joins in the celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October. It's a time to celebrate the contributions people with disabilities make in workplaces and recognize businesses that support employees with disabilities.

This year's theme of "celebrating value and talent" is reflected in Oregon throughout the year in the countless ways people with disabilities bring value to their jobs and communities.

While Oregon is making progress, there is still work to do. In 2024, 49% of Oregon residents with disabilities ages 18 to 64 were employed, compared with 80.8% of people without disabilities - about a 32% gap (source). That number was 45.7% in 2022. Several state employment programs work to help people with disabilities enter and stay in the workforce.

"Our communities and economy are stronger when people with disabilities are included," said Allison Enriquez, Oregon's Employment First Coordinator. "For too long, people with disabilities did not have equal access to good jobs with fair wages in their communities. Oregon is committed to building employment-related supports and connections so all have access to reach their potential and fully participate in their communities."

NDEAM webinar series

Partners who deliver employment services invite everyone to join a series of webinars in October to celebrate workplace successes and educate the community about resources and services available for job seekers with disabilities.

Webinars are scheduled Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom. For details on each session and accessibility information, go to Oregon's NDEAM event web page.

• 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

These events are hosted by the Oregon's Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Vocational Rehabilitation program, Oregon Commission for the Blind and the Oregon Department of Education.

Employment resources for people with disabilities

Several state programs offer resources to support Oregon residents with disabilities in achieving, maintaining, and advancing in employment.

• Office of Developmental Disabilities Services has employment services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with all kinds of disabilities find and keep a job and advance in their careers.
• Oregon Commission for the Blind helps people with vision loss find and keep a job and advance in their careers.
• Ticket to Work is a free federal program for people who are blind or have a disability and receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. People who are 18 to 64 years old and want to work may access this program to prepare for work and find a job.
• Employed Persons with Disabilities is a Medicaid program that helps people with disabilities go to work while keeping their Medicaid coverage.
• Oregon ABLE Savings Plan is a way people with disabilities can save for the future without the fear of losing needed government benefits.
• Free benefits counseling is available to answer job seekers' questions about how working may affect their benefits.

Information on these programs is available on the ODHS web page "Get Help Finding a Job."