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“I do not have a disability, I have a gift! Others may see it as a disability, but I see it as a challenge. This challenge is a gift because I have to become stronger to get around it, and smarter to figure out how to use it; others should be so lucky.” ― Shane E. Bryan
The 2026 theme of National Disability Employment Month (NDEAM) is Celebrating Value and Talent. It’s a declaration that individuals living with disabilities have knowledge, skills, and abilities that contribute to the success of any business, while also working alongside their coworkers without disabilities.
This year, ALSO of Oregon is expanding on NDEAM’s theme to include not only the workplace, but all aspects of society.
Just like all humans, those of us with disabilities have complex, unique personalities. And just like anyone else, we seek full partnership within our respective homes, workplaces, and communities.
ALSO of Oregon has decades of experience in helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) take that all-important human journey to discover their own innate value and personhood. We do this by providing the highest-quality of person-centered supportive services to the individuals we support.
Let’s talk about real human value and talent — along with how, working together, we can create communities that recognize individual strengths, skills and perspectives.
Most would agree that human value goes far beyond the importance of holding down a job and paying taxes. It’s critically important to acknowledge that individuals with I/DD deserve opportunities to contribute, participate, and be recognized as valued members of their communities.
When we first embrace the actual personhood of an individual, we are nurturing their sense of belonging. It’s this foundational sense of belonging that fosters true community membership. The embracing community will then reap great rewards, such as:
As stated in this video about NDEAM 2026: ” . . .truly maximizing America’s success starts with maximizing everyone’s potential. Their potential to build, and to serve, to contribute, and to lead.”
So, to create vibrant and diverse neighborhoods and communities, we must take the time and put forth the energy to really learn about our friends and neighbors with disabilities.
Talent isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ phenomenon. Our philosophy and training at ALSO on the person-centered approach guides us to recognize and collaborate around everyone’s different strengths and needs.
A person-centered approach involves really listening, observing, and having meaningful conversations with the people we support. We can then gain insight into what makes the person enthused or excited — what makes the person ‘tick.’
We also learn about what they’re good at and what keeps them motivated. Check out these types of gifts and talents that, when nurtured and celebrated, fit perfectly into community life.
Individuals who are observant and sensitive to the needs of dogs, cats, and other animals may excel at an animal shelter or pet store. Those who do yoga, swim, or play basketball would likely be valued employees at the local rec center or athletic store.
Group and individual creative interests (painting, embroidery, theatre), are a source of inner joy for many people. A shared interest in the arts allows for many community activities that create a sense of belonging and social interaction. Creative interests can also be pursued as a solitary activity. We all need our ‘alone time!’
Such skills in basic common sense and logic are critical to almost every area of life. Living independently, getting to and from work, managing finances and medication, when you think about it, is no small feat.
Although we all have weaknesses, all of us have some inherent qualities that make us part of the human race: loyalty, empathy, kindness, persistence.
The strong emphasis on person-centered supports is fully present at ALSO, as well as at the Oregon Department of Human Services. Program goals and resources are designed to put Oregonians with I/DD in the driver’s seat — so that they can pursue their definition of a meaningful life and a bright future.
LEARN MORE: Empowering Oregonians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
At ALSO, we believe that tapping into a person’s inherent talents and gifts provides the impetus to pursue long-lasting and meaningful job opportunities. This strategy is common sense when people without disabilities are exploring career options.
It is perplexing to us when those living with I/DD or other types of disabilities are expected to just accept any job or employer that will accept them.
Fortunately, Oregon was one of the first states to adopt an Employment First policy (2008). This groundbreaking policy moved people away from segregated sheltered workshops with sub-minimum wage jobs. Now, competitive integrated employment (CIE) must be the first priority in providing employment services to working-age adults and youths with I/DD in Oregon.
CIE not only creates improved financial independence for people with I/DD. There are many other benefits, including:
LEARN MORE: Employment Services at ALSO
We live and try to function in a competitive culture, where having a job means having an identity. But as we said earlier, the worth of a person shouldn’t be solely dependent on their employment status.
At ALSO, we strongly feel that other life experiences are just as important as employment: community participation, relationships, leisure pursuits. In fact, these are key to a meaningful life.
We’re all familiar with the phrase, ‘learn by doing.’
By doing these activities such as those listed below, we not only learn specific skills (for example, such as how to paint), but we get to know ourselves better. We learn what makes us happy and invigorated, or nervous and anxious. As we get to know ourselves we learn about our own values and needs.
LEARN MORE: The Best Hiking in Oregon, For Everyone
So, as a community member, what can you do to support individuals with different abilities? How can you help everyone feel welcome and valued for who they are?
Well, first we ask that you approach people who may be different than you with an open mind and an open heart. Don’t assume, for example, that if they have a visual impairment, they can’t get across the street independently.
You can be instrumental in creating opportunities that foster a sense of belonging. For example, if you own a local restaurant, make sure the bathrooms are accessible. If you sing in a community choir, make sure that people of all ability levels can be involved.
It’s often easy to tell if someone is feeling lonely or left out at a social occasion. How about sitting down and striking up a conversation? Maybe you have some shared interests.
Are you an employer who needs some new hires? Research has shown over a four-year period that companies leading in disability employment have:
Those are real bottom-line differences! Also, if you’re an employer, make sure your workplace is accessible.
People with disabilities, including those living with I/DD, thrive on being able to contribute to their neighborhood, workplace, and community. Therefore, it’s not just about providing support, it’s also about accepting help from someone with a disability.
Finally, it’s important to know that just because someone needs support, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t autonomous and independent. If you think about it, we all need some kind of support to get through the day. No one is an island.
In our 25-year-plus history we’ve truly broken barriers. Individuals that society, teachers, employers (and even family members) could never be part of the real world are now:
Our work at ALSO helps people identify and pursue what matters to them, while providing the support that makes those goals possible.
LEARN MORE: About ALSO Person-Centered Services and Support Options
We know deep down that ALSO has been instrumental in helping families, community members, teachers, and employers realize that people with I/DD belong in the community. Their contributions are a major ingredient making those communities vibrant, diverse, strong, and compassionate.
This is why the NDEAM theme of ‘Celebrating Value and Talent’ is so relevant to all aspects of community life. Everyone has gifts to share — making the world a better place for someone else.
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