Helpful Links

The ARC of Multnomah provides advocacy and direct services to help improve the quality of lives of over 5,000 adults and children with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities each year. Programs of the ARC of Multnomah are funded by the donations of used goods and community contributions.

The Arc of Oregon envisions a world in which all persons have the support and opportunities they need for personal development and independence, interdependence with family and friends, and inclusion in the community. The Arc of Oregon advocates to enhance the dignity, expand the opportunities, and protect the rights of persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. The section of their site devoted to the Staley Agreement / Self-Directed Support Services for Adults is of particular use and relevance to the DD population in Oregon (a must-read for customers, case managers, and providers new to self-directed supports). Their Oregon Brokerage List and County DD Program Offices list are invaluable resources as well (including addresses and phone numbers for contact).

The Arc Link "is the first web site to provide customized, specific information on the various sources of assistance available to individuals with disabilities and their families on a state-by-state basis as well as information on almost 30,000 providers." ... (Note: Although this site appears to be missing a link to Oregon info as an option, it is still a useful resource.)

Autism Society of America promotes lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. Education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active public awareness and the promotion of research form the cornerstones of ASA's efforts to carry forth its mission.

The mission of the Center on Self-Determination, part of the Oregon Health Services University, is to identify, develop, validate and communicate practices and policies that promote the self-determination of people with and without disabilities.

Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) site and the Developmental Disabilities portion of their site provides excellent resources to various vulnerable populations. The Roadmap to Support Services [Adobe PDF format] is a useful resource for new or prospective customers, or those wishing for more information about available county and brokerage support services. The DHS Rate Setting Manual is a valuable resource for personal agents and for potential providers to refer to. DHS has also added section of their site dedicated to Supported Employment: "Empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to dream and achieve careers and community inclusion."

Families USA has created a Medicaid Action Center, a one-stop-shop for understanding the details of the Administration's proposals to change Medicaid. The Center contains statements other organizations have made objecting to the proposal, explanations of why Medicaid is such an essential service, resources advocates can use when fighting Medicaid budget cuts, and a collection of other Medicaid resources.

Housing Connections is connecting people with a place to live, housing services, and housing information. Affordable, accessible and special needs housing, serving the Portland Metro Area. With sections for Renters, Landlords and Agencies, this is a valuable resources for securing housing for those who need it (especially people with special needs and other vulnerable populations).

The Medicaid Reference Desk is a site with information about Medicaid for people with cognitive disabilities.

Oregon Advocacy Center (OAC) is an independent non-profit organization which provides legal advocacy services for people with disabilities anywhere in Oregon. OAC is designated under federal law as the protection and advocacy system for Oregon, but it is not a part of the state or federal government. OAC has attorneys and advocates who assist people with disabilities.

Oregon Cares has a vision: that all Oregon caregivers are supported, valued and recognized, and have access to reliable, quality resources and options that are sufficient to meet their needs.

The Oregon Clarion (a voice for Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their families) is a free quarterly newspaper published by the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities.

The Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) acts as an advocate for persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition's mission is to promote quality service and supports which respectfully further the rights, equality, justice, and inclusion for all Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their families.

Oregon Developmental Disability Services (ODDS) has a useful question and answer section regarding services offered in Oregon State.

The Oregon Network (a joint project of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition) is a collaborative statewide network of disability organizations and their members, including people with disabilities, their families, friends, providers, and policymakers. Members of the Oregon Network share information with one another, receive the Oregon Clarion and other publications, can learn about training events and empowerment opportunities, and have the chance to voice opinions on policy issues at the local, state and national levels.

The mission of the Oregon Parent Training and Information Center (OrPTI) is to educate and support parents, families and professionals in building partnerships that meet the needs of children and youth with the full range of disabilities ages birth through twenty six. Oregon PTI provides programs and services throughout the state.

The mission of the Oregon Technical Assistance Corporation (OTAC) is to promote full participation in community life for individuals with disabilities and families through the delivery of training, technical assistance, and related services.

People First of Oregon is a group of developmentally disabled people from all over the state joining together to learn how to speak for themselves.

Person Centered Planning by John and Connie O'Brien have produced a wide range of informational literature that is available through the web site.

Project MED (Medical Education for Consumers) was created with funding from the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The goal of project MED is to provide patients with information, in a manner that they can understand, about the medications that they are taking. The booklets are designed for a broad group of people taking medications: people with mental retardation, autism, or reading difficulties, patients with severe mental illness, child and adolescent patients, and people whose first language is not English. By providing this information, they hope to increase each patient's participation in his or her own health care. The series consists of eight booklets. The booklets were written to provide the basic information about patients' rights and about medications in easily understood words. There are few medical or legal words, and difficult words are defined.

Self-Advocates as Leaders (SAAL) is a coalition of self-advocates interested in developing leadership skills and becoming equal partners in policy and legislation that affects our lives. We are a group of people with disabilities who are committed to making life better for people with disabilities all over Oregon.

Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE USA) believes that people with disabilities should be treated as equals. People should be given the same decisions, choices, rights, responsibilities, and chances to speak up and empower themselves. Goals include making self-advocacy available in every state including institutions, high schools, rural areas and people living with families with local support and advisors to help.

Self-Directed Jobs offers great resources and trainings for you to find what is out there in the Oregon job market.

University of Oregon Developmental Services coordinates services, provides advocacy and support to students with documented physical, learning, and psychological disabilities and provides assistance to the general campus community in responding appropriately to requests for accommodations based on disability.

Washington County provides many services to those with developmental disabilities. SDRI and the county work closely to meet the needs of their customers. On this website is also a link to help people needing assistance with low cost/no cost prescription medications.

http://www.workbenefits.org/ provides resources related to working with disability benefits in Oregon "Understanding how work affects your eligibility for disability programs is tough. Just learning the names of the all the programs is a challenge, and their rules are complex. WorkBenefits.org is an easy and free way to shed light on your transition to work. And it's private!"