/ 0
What is the Disability Program Initiative?
The Disability Program Navigator Initiative is a federally funded program sponsored by the Department of Labor through a grant awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote comprehensive services and work incentive information for Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries and other people with disabilities or who experience multiple barriers to employment, through the Worksource Oregon system.
As of July 1, 2010 the Disability Program Navigator Initiative is no longer being funded. This has resulted in a severe decrease in the number of Navigators working in Oregon. Currently only Lane, Douglas, Coos and Curry counties are supporting Navigators.
What are navigators and what services do they provide?
Disability Navigators help people who experience multiple barriers to employment, and "navigate" them through the challenges of seeking work. Complex rules in entitlement programs, combined with fears of losing cash assistance and health benefits often discourage people with disabilities from seeking employment. Navigators partner with Worksource Oregon centers and educate SSA beneficiaries and others with employment barriers about work support programs available within the centers, and in the community. Worksource Oregon centers provide information, training, resources and other employment-related services at a single customer-friendly location.
Navigators also provide information on programs and services that are available for job seekers that might affect their search for employment. Navigators helps job seekers break down barriers to employment by providing access to resources such as Career and Resource Mapping Workshops, resource coordination and assistance in negotiating Integrated Resource Teams. Navigators may also act as a resource for information on assistive technology and accommodation, and provide introductions to underutilized labor pools, tax savings information and outreach to agencies/organizations that serve people with disabilities.
How do I contact a Navigator?
In 2010, the Disability Program Navigator Initiative lost it's funding in many states including Oregon. Most of the counties across the state were unable to support their Navigator positions without the help of federal funds. This resulted in a severe decrease in available Navigators.
Currently, Navigators are serving customers in Lane, Douglas, Coos and Curry Counties only. If you are looking for disability services in a county other than those listed, please go to your local WorkSource Oregon Center.
Lane County
Johann Mueller
Lane Independent Living Alliance
99 W. 10th Ave. #117, Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 686-7503
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bo Reitz
Lane Independent Living Alliance
99 W 10th Ave. #117, Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 686-7503
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Douglas County
Hope Owens
Umpqua Training & Employment, Inc.
760 NW Hill Avenue, Roseburg, OR 97470
(541) 677-1617
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Coos & Curry Counties
Carol Todd
South Coast Business Employment Corporation
93781 Newport Lane, Coos Bay, OR 97420
(541) 269-2013
(800) 588-5777
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dianna Roediger
South Coast Business Employment Corporation
16399 Lower Harbor Rd, Harbor, OR 97415
(541) 469-5306
(800) 481-5777
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ONLINE DISABILITY RESOURCES
For questions about the program, contact:
Rachel Soto, CCWD
(503) 947-2438
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
http://www.chemeketa.edu/wso/
Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes Counties
http://www.coic.org/jsr/disabilityresources.htm
Lane County
http://lilaoregon.org/About_LILA.html
U. S. Department of Labor
http://www.doleta.gov/disability/new_dpn_grants.cfm
Disability.gov
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=500
Job Accommodation Network
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/portals/private_er.htm#accomm
Tax Incentives
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/tax.html
Preferred Worker Program
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/wcd/rdrs/rau/pwp/pwp_overview.html
Oregon Business Leadership Network
http://www.obln.org/
