Developmental Disabilities

Oregon Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The Oregon Department of Human Services, Division of Seniors and People with Disabilities, is responsible for the administration of programs that increase the independence of, and help to protect, seniors and people with disabilities. Its functions include abuse investigation, in-home, group-home and crisis services for people with developmental disabilities. Another function is eligibility determination for federal Social Security Disability benefits.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

The Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Division (VRD) assists Oregonians who have, or are suspected of having, physical or mental impairments that may be barriers to employment. The purpose of the rehabilitation services program is to provide assistance to meet the individual needs of eligible consumers. Services may include vocational counseling and guidance, evaluation, physical and mental restoration, skills training, job placement, and preparation for independent living. VRD offers services in collaboration and partnership with other state agencies, local community rehabilitation programs, independent living service providers, and business and industry.

Sheltered Employment

Sheltered employment is a service which provides a controlled and protected environment, additional supervision and other supports for individuals engaged in remunerative work either in a sheltered workshop or in the community. Sheltered employment provides paid work in a setting where all or most employees are persons with disabilities. Typical in these settings is assembly, janitorial, or recycling. For more information and to check eligibility, contact:

Competitive Employment

Supported employment is a service available from OVRS and Seniors and Persons with Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities. The two agencies work in partnership and build one plan to help an individual get and keep a job. OVRS resources are used initially for necessary job development and job coaching. A person with developmental disabilities may then use his or her own budget or allocated funding to assure essential ongoing job support.

Health and Safety

OR-OSHA trained safety and health professionals provide consultative services to help employers identify and correct occupational safety and health hazards. These services are designed to help reduce work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, and the associated high cost of workers' compensation insurance. All services are provided at no cost to the employer. Consultative Services helps employers and employees evaluate work environments and increase awareness of occupational safety and health in the workplace. Staff members also help firms develop their own occupational safety and health programs.

In Oregon, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OR-OSHA) administers the Oregon Safe Employment Act and enforces Oregon's occupational safety and health rules. These rules establish minimum safety and health standards for all industries and outline specific standards for individual industries such as logging and agriculture. A primary OR-OSHA objective is to improve occupational safety and health in workplaces throughout the state while maintaining a system that is fair to both workers and employers.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

In Oregon, several thousand older citizens and people with disabilities experience abuse or neglect each year. Abuse of the olderly and other vulnerable adults is never okay. In many cases, the abuse is a criminal action that can be prosecuted by local, state and even federal authorities. You may report abuse to the Oregon Department of Human Services at 1-800-232-3020. In an emergency, call 911.

Protection and Advocacy

Disability Rights Oregon is an independent nonprofit law firm that promotes and defends the rights of individuals with disabilities. All of the services are free of charge and confidential. Each state and territory has a Protection and Advocacy system entirely separate and independent from both the federal and state governments. Disability Rights Oregon is the Protection and Advocacy system for Oregon