Seeking nominations for disability employment advocacy award

Oregon Department of Human Services sent this bulletin at 08/08/2025 04:16 PM PDT

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August 8, 2025

From: Allison Enriquez, Statewide Employment First Coordinator

To: Employment First Partners

Seeking nominations for disability employment advocacy award

In honor of the tireless leadership of the late Ross Ryan, ODHS is seeking nominations for the annual Ross Ryan Self-Advocacy Employment Award. To nominate yourself or someone else, please complete the nomination form by Sept. 12.

As one of the founders of the Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition, Ryan was not only a powerful self-advocate, but also advocated for all Oregonians with disabilities. His advocacy contributed to the end of sheltered workshops that paid less than minimum wage and led to ensuring competitive integrated employment for all.

This award will recognize a self-advocate whose efforts have improved their own employment, the employment of Oregonians with disabilities or both.

Nominees must have an intellectual and developmental disability, be a resident of Oregon and work in competitive integrated employment.

The winner will be announced Oct. 2 during the Employment First summit. The winner will be notified in advance.

Sincerely,

Allison Enriquez

Statewide Employment First Coordinator

Office of Developmental Disabilities Services

Oregon is proud to be an Employment First state, where Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities earn competitive wages and benefits alongside coworkers without disabilities. All services must support this outcome of competitive integrated employment.

View previous Employment First messages on the Employment First website.

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