THE VOICE
Vision · Opportunities · Innovation · Choices · Expertise
|
|
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
As agency director, I am proud that OCB’s mission aligns with Governor Brown’s
Future Ready Oregon policy agenda.
To highlight our commitment, this edition of
The Voice
showcases our Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP), a practical example of OCB’s efforts to prepare youth who experience blindness for Oregon’s future workforce. If you are a business interested in learning more about hosting an OCB SWEP student, please
contact us.
A diverse workforce that includes individuals who are blind is good for business and good for Oregon!
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. In honor of this important campaign, OCB has various engagement opportunities scheduled. Please visit the outreach and engagement section of this newsletter,
Expanding Opportunities for Oregonians with Vision Loss
, to learn more.
-Dacia Johnson, OCB Executive Director
|
|
SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (SWEP) 2018
|
|
|
|
SWEP is an innovative 5-6 week work experience program designed to provide eligible Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) students age 16-20 the opportunity to live in university housing and conduct meaningful paid work experiences. Students from all over the state of Oregon travel to either Willamette University or Portland State University to focus on building their pre-employment skills and establishing life-long friendships with peers who have similar knowledge of what it’s like to live with vision loss.
SWEP is designed to give students first-hand experience living independently in a dorm setting. Students learn to create and maintain a budget based on the money they earn each week. They plan, shop for and prepare their own meals; clean bathrooms, kitchen and common areas and do laundry. Students are provided with training and coaching, as needed, in order to maintain or develop these daily living skills.
SWEP students participate in various social, educational, and recreational experiences to help expand their thinking around what’s possible for people who experience vision loss. Among the favorites this year were: self-defense, gardening, tandem bicycling, and a challenge course!
|
|
Since 1942,
Guide Dogs for the Blind
(GDB) has been creating partnerships between people, dogs, and communities. GDB prepares highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Each semester, OCB clients interested in learning more about guide dogs visit the GDB facility in Boring, Oregon for a tour and to get hands-on experience with a guide dog.
|
|
FEATURED BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
|
|
Earlier this year, Redmond Home Depot hired former OCB client Garrett Manuel as a seasonal worker in their garden center. HR Manager Derek Kelley talked with us about the hiring experience. “Garrett went through the interview process like everyone else and was selected largely due to his positive and friendly personality. Garrett brings joy and positivity to the team. If he’s had a bad day, I’ve never seen it. He maintains a very positive attitude." Home Depot very quickly recognized Garrett’s strong work ethic and talent for providing customer service by presenting him with the
Homer Award
, given to outstanding employees who are “living the values” of the company. Garrett has since been promoted from a seasonal to permanent employee and currently works as a store greeter and in the garden center. He has memorized the store layout and is able to guide customers to products very efficiently. Kelley told us, “Garrett is a dynamic and versatile employee who is able to work multiple positions within the store." Garrett plans to continue his career and professional growth
|
|
with Home Depot and summed up his
commitment by telling us, “I love working at Home Depot. Mostly, I enjoy working with all of the friendly people, including the customers and my co-workers". Way to go Garrett for your hard work, dedication and for being a stellar employee!
|
|
Special thanks and recognition to:
Vocational Counselor – Samantha Smith, LPC, CRC
Job Developer – Michelle Flick
Job Coach – DiversAbility, Matt Eitel
Employer – Redmond Home Depot, Derek Kelley
Workforce Investment Network (WIN)– Abilitree, Jill Hanneman
Deschutes County, DD/ID Services – Max Davidson
|
|
EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OREGONIANS WITH VISION LOSS
|
|
 |
IEP & ME
FOR STUDENTS WITH VISION LOSS
Want to learn more about
the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process?
Join us in person at the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) offices or via phone for a discussion with Christine Shank, Managing Attorney for Disability Rights Oregon.
Topics will include:
- Key special education definitions & the IEP process
- Your role on the IEP team
- Special education rights
- Preparing for the future- transition in the IEP
Date: 10/23/2018
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: OCB
535 SE 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
OR BY PHONE:
Call in #: 877-873-8017
Access Code: 5395795
**SEATING IS LIMITED**
If you plan to attend in person,
or Text “Yes” to 503-720-8871
Please provide the parent and/or student name to register for this event. Please also let us know if accommodations are needed.
Sponsored by OCB
Presented by Christine Shank, Managing Attorney Education & Community Living Program
Disability Rights Oregon
|
Willamette Education Service District and Oregon Commission for the Blind Present:
Youth Transition Resource Fair for Blind and Visually Impaired Students, Their Families and Transition Professionals
WHEN
Friday, October 26, 2018
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
WHERE
Willamette Education Service District
2611 Pringle Rd. SE, Salem, OR
Attendees will have time to peruse booths and attend optional sessions with various presenters. For more information, please
contact us.
|
|
|
|
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (
NDEAM
) is a campaign held in October to help raise awareness about employment issues for disabled people, and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This October is a fitting time to educate your workforce about disability employment issues. This year's NDEAM theme will be “America’s Workforce: Empowering All.”
|
“Our mission is to eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high quality healthcare.”
|
13th Annual Dancing In The Square Pow-wow
|
OCB was excited to join our community outreach partner,
Casey Eye Institute
, at this year's Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board 2018 American Indian Day Celebration. This event featured vendors, educational booths, entertainment, and food.
|
For more information about NPAIHB, visit
npaihb.org
.
|
|
|
|
HELP IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES!
The Northwest ADA Center at the University of Washington is conducting a research study on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and health care access.
WHY A RESEARCH STUDY?
The ADA is over 25 years old, but access barriers to health care still remain. The goal of this research is to identify where those barriers exist and ways of improving access.
You may qualify if you:
• Are a person with a disability*
• Are age 18 years or older
• Have needed health care within the last 12 months
• Live in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, or Washington
• Have not previously taken this survey
*Disabilities can include any difficulty you are experiencing due to health conditions or aging, such as having difficulty seeing, hearing, communicating, thinking or walking
.
WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT SURVEY?
|
|
|
Is the content of this email relevant to you?
|
|
|
|
Want to learn more about OCB?
Click the links below to visit our website and YouTube channels.
|
|
OCB Vocational Rehabilitation and Business Services are funded by the state/federal VR program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
