Beyond Fairview: An Oregon Story of Supporting Inclusive Community Living
Product Description:
Program Description:
This poster will present Oregon's history of moving towards de-institutionalization. We will highlight the policy and advocacy efforts of the disability community in Oregon that led to closure of the Fairview Institution and the establishment of the Fairview Trust Fund, a vital resource for supporting community living for people with developmental disabilities. For nearly a century, Oregonians with I/DD were largely housed in an institution established by the Oregon State Legislature in 1907. Originally named the Oregon State Institution for the Feeble-Minded, the later renamed Fairview Training Center was one of the state's longest running residential and medical facilities for people with I/DD. Located near the State Capitol in Salem, Fairview Training Center was its own self-contained community, largely isolated from the greater population. Federal legislation, including the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, an expansion of community-based services, a wider recognition of the importance of community integration, and the actions of disability rights advocates from The Arc of Oregon finally began to dismantle Fairview as an institution in the mid-1980s. After the Oregon Legislature passed a law in 1999 to close the Fairview Training Center, residents were re-located to community-based living arrangements using funds from the sale of the 670-acre compound. These funds continue to exist today as The Fairview Trust. The scope of the trust is to adapt, maintain, and provide appropriate housing for children and adults with I/DD. It is overseen by the state Community Housing Section which allocates funding and provides technical assistance. These funds, while set aside for a specific purpose, often are involved in State budget battles. Advocates continue to play an important role in preserving this critical resource. This year's conference theme is "We All Belong Here. Achieving Inclusive Communities." This poster describes Oregon's transformation from serving children and adults with developmental disabilities in institutional settings to providing a community-based support system. Our poster relates directly to the conference
theme of achieving inclusive communities. Closing residential institutions is a central component of disability justice and advocacy work. Oregon is a leader in de-institutionalization nationwide, and the history of Fairview highlights ways Oregon has tackled challenges in our state.
Keyword(s):
Fairview, Community Living, institutions, Fairview Trust, Inclusive Communities
Product/Publication Type(s):
Conference presentations and posters presented
Target Audience:
Consumers/Families, Professionals, Policymakers, Students
Alternative Format:
Visual Format or Large Print
To Obtain Copies (URL or Email):
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
