Advocacy in Action: Why Policy Change Matters for Inclusive Employment

We work every day to support individuals with disabilities in finding meaningful, supported work. But our mission doesn’t stop at the job site—it extends to the systems and structures that make employment possible in the first place.

That’s where advocacy comes in.

Policy shapes access. It determines funding for programs, protections for workers, and the expectations employers must follow. If we want long-term, widespread change in how people with disabilities are included in the workforce, we must engage in advocacy that pushes those systems forward. Because when the law supports inclusion, opportunity follows.

How Policy Impacts Inclusive Employment

Public policy affects nearly every aspect of disability employment, including:

• Wage equality and protections

• Access to job coaching and supported employment services

• Employer incentives for hiring individuals with disabilities

• Accommodations and workplace accessibility

• The funding of programs like Oregon Forward

Without supportive, equity-focused policy, individuals with disabilities face unnecessary barriers—not due to lack of ability, but due to a lack of access.

Advocacy in Action: What It Looks Like

Advocacy isn’t just about big speeches or legislative hearings. It can happen in many forms:

• Providing testimony at the Capitol to support inclusive workforce bills

• Educating legislators on the importance of disability-inclusive hiring

• Partnering with coalitions like the Oregon Resource Association (ORA) to amplify collective voices

• Sharing impact stories that show how policies affect real people

• Engaging community members to contact representatives or support campaigns

Recently, our team visited the Oregon Capitol to advocate for policies that protect and expand supported employment opportunities. These actions matter—and they send a message that inclusive employment is not a niche issue; it’s a human rights and economic development issue.

Why It Matters for Our Mission

We can coach job seekers. We can build employer relationships. But without structural support—policies that fund, protect, and prioritize inclusive work—our impact remains limited.

Advocacy helps us:

• Sustain programs long-term

• Expand access to more communities

• Ensure fair treatment and opportunity in the workplace

• Push for higher standards of inclusion across industries

Simply put: advocacy ensures our values are reflected in the systems that shape opportunity.

Inclusive employment doesn't happen by accident—it happens by design. And design starts with policy.

By showing up, speaking out, and standing alongside others fighting for equity, we can help create a workforce where people of all abilities are welcomed, supported, and celebrated. We’ll continue to advocate for change—not just for our clients, but for a future that works better for everyone.