Private and Public Policy Reviews for the Disabled

May I Change the Subject?

For myself, when I am in an environment where I can say whatever I feel I need to say, that the very act of saying it changes my thinking about it. There’s nothing better to sort out thinking errors than to try to say them out loud. While I’m only thinking about something, it makes perfect sense to me.

The Oregon Zoo Revisited

A few years ago, I reviewed the Oregon Zoo. Many things have changed since then, so I offer an update. Introduction The Oregon Zoo is in Portland, Oregon in the hills over downtown in beautiful Washington Park. Washington Park is 130 acres of beautiful trees, valleys, streams, gardens, arboretums, and paths located withing walking distance […]

It’s Their World Too

As a skills trainer and behavior support specialist for developmentally disabled adults, I often find myself in the community and in the company of people whose behavior is often outside the realm of what other people find comfortable. In many situations, the reactions of my customers are often overstated by social norms and draw the […]

PDX Gatherings

You can announce events you’ve already planned, or begin a discussion about planning something you’d like to do.

Miles Wise, Hours Foolish

The implementation of the new policies based on this ridiculous question will require me to justify why I drove somewhere instead of taking the buses. To me, it’s upside-down. Given the above facts, I should be required to justify why I wasted valuable skills-training time by taking the buses.

Oregon Expands Abuse Definitions

Oregon House Bill 2442 has passed, amending Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 430.735, expanding the definition of abuse of people with developmental disabilities. This legislation, which goes into effect on January 1, 2010, adds many new definitions that could result in the investigation by Adult Protective Services (APS) of individuals and workers. Naturally, mandatory reporters will […]

Oregon Developmentally Disabled Drivers

In the State of Oregon, skills training of developmentally disabled adults is facilitated by a brokerage system. Customers may receive training in many different areas of functioning, including living skills, navigating around their local areas, and public transportation. What they may not receive is any kind of assistance towards getting driver’s licenses. Be the first […]