The Arc Oregon

10/20/2026

We are grieving alongside the Bend community following the heartbreaking loss of three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School. Our thoughts are with the injured, their families, and the students and educators whose lives have been changed.

We feel a particular closeness to the disability community and the special education professionals affected by this tragedy.

Bend-La Pine Schools is sharing information about community support and recovery. We encourage those who wish to help to follow the community's lead:

Silver Rail Community Information Hub - Bend-La Pine Schools

10/13/2026

Congratulations, Nicholas Kaasa!

Yesterday at our monthly staff meeting, The Arc Oregon celebrated Nicholas Kaasa, winner of the 2026 Ross Ryan Employment Self-Advocacy Award. We were joined by guests from ODHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Full Access Brokerage as we all recognized Nick together.

Julie Huber of the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, shared that the award honors Ross Ryan's commitment to employment and his voice as an advocate. Nominations grow every year, and Nick's application stood out even in a fiercely competitive field.

Ryley Newport remembered first meeting Nick about 10 years ago, when Nick was named student of the year and then signed up as a peer mentor to help people move from sheltered workshops into community jobs. Ryley also shared a favorite Ross Ryan line: "I changed the space by being there."

Ashley Herberholz, last year's recipient, told Nick, "I couldn't think of anybody better to accept this award."

In his remarks, Nick said, "A job is more than just a paycheck. It is a reason to get up in the morning. It is a place to belong." He thanked his team, Ross Ryan, and Lindsay Dutton, who nominated him. Lindsay said Nick embodies the spirit of "nothing about us without us."

Nick is a Trainer with The Arc Oregon, and he now trains new services coordinators and personal agents to do their jobs even better. We see his work every day, and it is wonderful to see it honored.

Congratulations, Nick, and thank you to ODHS, ODDS, and Full Access Brokerage for celebrating with us during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

10/08/2026

Join Lindsay Dutton on November 3, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM for an engaging, hands-on training exploring The Intersection of Person, Culture, and Disability.

This training combines plain language definitions, visual storytelling, and collaborative activities to help participants deepen their understanding of intersectionality and how it relates to disability.

Learn more and register here: https://thearcoregon.org/training-details/?event-id=1869

10/07/2026

Finding the right in-home support can feel overwhelming. The Arc Oregon’s Employer Resource Connection helps people who direct their own care through Medicaid or Oregon Project Independence take it one step at a time.

We can help you:
▪️ Identify the support you need
▪️ Write a clear job description
▪️ Prepare for interviews
▪️ Train and support your employee after hiring

Our free checklists, consultations, workshops, and management tools are available across Central and Eastern Oregon.

Learn more: thearcoregon.org/employer-resource-connection/

10/02/2026

Oregon's ODHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services has released new guidance regarding Children's Transportation. Click below for details. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/42d71d6

10/01/2026

The Oregon Home Care Commission is looking for Consumer Advocate Commissioners. If you receive in-home support you may be eligible to apply. Here is a handout with more information.

09/29/2026

People with IDD have the right to make their own choices — even when there's risk involved. Join trainers Nick Kaasa and Lindsay Dutton on October 6, 2026 from 10:00-11:30 AM to learn about Supporting Dignity of Risk.

This interactive training will help you learn the difference between what is important TO someone and what is important FOR someone, so you can balance safety and autonomy with the people you support.

Learn more and register here: https://thearcoregon.org/training-details/?event-id=1868

09/27/2026

Going to The Arc US National Convention for the first time? Planning ahead can help you feel ready.

Here are a few things you can do before you go:

▪️ Look at the schedule. Choose sessions and events you want to attend.
▪️ Make a plan for travel, a hotel, and getting around.
▪️ Think about the support or accommodations you need.
▪️ Pick one goal for the convention. You may want to meet someone new, learn something, or share your ideas.
▪️ Plan time to rest and take breaks.

You do not have to do everything. Going to one session, meeting one new person, or learning one new thing can make your day special.

The Oregon Special Needs Trust Remainder Fund Grant Program can help you pay to attend the National Convention. Learn more and apply for a grant here: https://oregonsnt.org/grant-program/.

09/26/2026

Most of our training at The Arc Oregon happens online. Sometimes a team wants everyone in one room instead.

Last week, trainer Lindsay Dutton spent the day with a group in person, at their own site, teaching Mental Health First Aid for Adults. Your organization can request that too.

Mental Health First Aid for Adults teaches people how to recognize when someone is struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge, what to say in the moment, and where to point them for real help.

Ready to bring Mental Health First Aid to your organization?
Fill out a training request form online: https://thearcoregon.org/organization-training-request/
Email: [email protected]
Meet Lindsay: https://thearcoregon.org/instructor/ldutton/

09/24/2026

From The Arc of the United States Shira Wakschlag, The Arc's Senior Executive Officer of Legal Advocacy and General Council at The Arc:

National Disability Organizations Condemn the Federal Government’s Abandonment of Its Commitment to Community Integration for People with Disabilities, as Approved by the Court in Texas v. Kennedy

Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted an order implementing a settlement between the federal government, Texas, and four other states. The court order vacates provisions referencing the longstanding right to community integration for people with disabilities in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federally funded programs. The federal government’s Section 504 regulations have included integration provisions since 1977. The court’s order in Texas v. Kennedy accepting the parties’ agreement breaks with decades of caselaw recognizing and upholding the right of people with disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities.

We greatly appreciate all the advocacy from chapters that went into getting states to drop out of this case. It sends a strong message that only 3 states signed off on this in the end (Texas, Alaska, and Florida) when the case started out with 17 states. That is a result of your advocacy. Though this is a significant setback with regards to the federal government’s enforcement of the integration mandate, Section 504, the ADA, and Olmstead remain the law and we will continue fighting to uphold these protections from attacks every day in partnership with you all.