Providing Person-Centered, Culturally Competent & Linguistically Accessible Svs to Deaf I/DD Comm.

This training provides information about considerations when utilizing ASL interpreters, person-centered concepts and approaches, professional assessments/evaluations, and citizenship barriers. It is important to understand the diverse communication needs and cultural considerations.

Many of our current service systems in Oregon have inequities when it comes to serving the Deaf/IDD community. To appropriately serve both our Deaf and Deaf/IDD community, we must first understand the diverse communication needs and cultural considerations within this unique population.

Training details:

Zoom room opens at 12:55pm
Class starts at 1:00pm
$16 for APSE members and $26 for others*
Possible special introductory membrship rate, when signing up for this class (details below)
Earn 2 Continuing Education (CE) credits (provide email to receive certificate)
ASL interpreters

About Chris Mortensen and Erica Brown from Partnerships in Community Living

Chris Mortensen is a Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HH) Employment Specialist at Partnerships in Community Living (PCL). Chris's passion lies with serving his Deaf/HH community with cultural and linguistic competency. His 16 years of experience serving the I/DD Deaf/HH community has given him a specialized understanding of the unique challenges facing this population. Chris has served as a fierce advocate on multiple state and national boards addressing issues impacting Deaf/HH communities. Over the past 3 years, Chris has been intensely focused on supporting youth in transition at Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD). With a specialized understanding of the Education, VR and ODDS systems, he is able to support people with navigating a multitude of complexities and barriers in an effort to have successful employment outcomes while living as independently as possible.

Erica A. Brown, MS, Director of Partnerships in Community Living’s (PCL) Job Launch Services, has over 9 years of experience working as a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor for the State of Oregon. In 2006, Erica received her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Oregon University with special focus on Deaf and Hard of Hearing populations. In her time with VR, she worked closely with high school Youth Transition Programs and the Early Assessment and Support Alliance program serving young people who experienced life and work barriers as a result of their mental illness. In 2014, she returned to her roots in the I/DD field with PCL and has been dedicated to the design and implementation of a successful community-based employment service delivery model.

*More Information about Introductory Membership

Must be a first-time Oregon APSE member or over 10 years since being a member.
Sign-up for membership through National APSE https://apse.org/membership/membership-benefits-types/, using code ORAPSE and then register as an APSE member for this training.
APSE membership, adding your voice to the Employment First movement, to ensure that people with disabilities are paid a fair wage and are an important part of local integrated workforce in every community.

More Information

* No refunds if you cancel on or after 11/24/2021. Refunds prior to 11/24/2021 will have a $5 processing fee taken out to cover costs. If you have questions, please email oregonapse@gmail.com