The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a findings letter on its investigation of employment and vocational services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oregon. The letter, quoting the Supreme Court case of Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), says in part,   

. . thousands of individuals still spend the majority of their day-time hours receiving employment services in segregated sheltered workshops, even though they are capable of, and want to receive employment services in the community. Such unjustified segregation makes many of the benefits of community life elusive for people with disabilities, even though they are residing in the community. In this way, "work options" are frequently an important gateway to the other "everyday life activities" that the Supreme Court recognized in Olmstead to be severely diminished by unnecessary segregation, including "family relations, social contacts...economic independence, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment."

DOJ's five major findings are:

1. Sheltered workshops are segregated settings;

2. The majority of Oregon's employment and vocational services are delivered in sheltered workshops;

3. Oregon administers its employment and vocational service system in a manner that segregates persons with disabilities in sheltered workshops;

4. Persons with disabilities exiting the school system are at risk of placement in sheltered workshops; and

5. Serving persons with disabilities in integrated employment settings can be reasonably accommodated.

DOJ recommends two remedial measures. First, DOJ recommends that the state "develop sufficient supported employment services to enable those who are unnecessarily segregated in sheltered workshops to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs." Second, DOJ recommends that the state implement an effective discharge and transition plan to transition people in workshops into integrated employment.

To read the DOJ letter, click here.