In the year 2000, a group of five Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their families filed a lawsuit against the state of Oregon (commonly known as Staley vs. Kitzhaber). These five individuals claimed they were unfairly being denied access to services they were entitled to by law. The state settled the dispute out of court in September 2000. This became a class action agreement known as the “Staley Agreement” which in turn affected the service delivery to thousands of Oregonians with developmental disabilities.
The state chose to implement these new services through the creation of private organizations called “brokerages.” There are currently eleven brokerages serving people with developmental disabilities across the state.
Every brokerage provides services based upon the principles of self-determination. They are:
FREEDOM to choose a meaningful life in the community.
AUTHORITY over a targeted amount of funding.
SUPPORT to organize resources in ways that are life enhancing for the individual with a disability.
RESPONSIBILITY for the wise use of public dollars and recognition that individuals with disabilities can make to their communities
CONFIRMATION of the important leadership role that individuals with disabilities and their families must play in a newly re-designed system and support for the self-advocacy movement.
For more information about Self-Directed Support Services in Oregon, click here.
Inclusion Inc. opened its doors in November 2001. Inclusion Inc. supports adults with developmental disabilities living in the community in Multnomah and Clackamas counties.
