Statewide Annual Convention Returns to Celebrate The Arc Oregon's 65th Anniversary in Wilsonville, Oregon on May 3-4, 2019

SALEM, Ore. - March 19, 2019 - PRLog -- Returning after a ten year hiatus, The Arc Oregon State Convention will celebrate 65 years of advocating for people with intellectual and development disabilities (I/DD) with the theme of "Dreaming, Believing, and Achieving Together."

"As an organization, we are committed to building partnerships and advocating for all Oregonians who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities to have the supports they need to live full lives of their choosing," said The Arc Oregon Executive Director, Paula Boga. "This year's convention is a celebration of the amazing work this organization has done over the past 65 years to further the rights of people with I/DD, including its instrumental role in closing Oregon's institutions. We look forward to collaborating with our members and guests to envision a new direction for the future."

The Arc Oregon's 2-day convention, to be held at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn and Conference Center, includes 24 educational and innovative sessions led by notable I/DD experts as well as family members and people who experience a disability. Families and people who experience I/DD will be able to network with each other as well as with professionals and experts in the field, and to participate in a statewide visioning conversation about the direction The Arc is taking to support people with I/DD to live, work, and play in their communities throughout their lifespan.

This year's impressive line up of keynote speakers includes: Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc US, Washington DC; Nicole Jorwic, Rights Policy Director of The Arc US; Lilia Teninty, Director of the Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS); and, Dennis Debbaudt, international speaker, journalist, and managing partner of Autism Risk and Safety Management out of Florida.

The Arc Oregon is pleased to also welcome Oregon State Treasurer, Tobias Read, who will offer opening remarks on Friday, May 3, to kick off the afternoon plenary session.

A special 65^th anniversary celebration and awards luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 4, to commemorate this important milestone. We will pay tribute to past presidents of the organization, honor eight award winners chosen through a statewide nomination process, and remember the important contributions of The Arc Oregon on behalf of the developmental disability community.

There are nine local chapter affiliates of The Arc in Oregon, each of which will have an opportunity to exhibit and share information about the good work being done in their local communities throughout Oregon; and, appointed delegates from the local chapters will elect new members of The Arc Oregon Board of Directors for the coming year and the annual business meeting on Saturday, May 4.

The Arc Oregon welcomes everyone to this event, including community members who may not have a personal connection to someone who experiences an intellectual or developmental disability, but want to learn about how to support the disability community. Registration is open to the public and scholarships are available through the generosity of our major sponsors – Oregon ABLE Savings Plan, Oregon Residential Facilities Ombudsman, and Therap Services, Inc.

For more information about the convention, please visit the convention are of our website at www.thearcoregon.org/2019-convention.

About The Arc

The Arc Oregon advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc Oregon is part of a national network of more than 650 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis. In Oregon, The Arc Oregon supports nine local chapter affiliates with over 5,000 members. For more information about The Arc, visit our website at www.thearcoregon.org or www.thearc.org.

Editor's Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.