What’s a Developmental Disability?
Developmental disabilities result from a chronic physical and/or mental impairment. [They] include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and mental retardation. People with developmental disabilities sometimes require lifelong support.

How does a family or individual access services?
Make an appointment with a County Disabilities Office case worker, and request that your services be provided by Community Vision, Inc. Call 503-988-3658 and ask for an appointment.

What services does your company provide?
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to [supporting] individuals with developmental disabilities to live in their homes and work in the community of their choice.

How is your support different from group homes?
With our support, each person lives in their own home, and their individualized support plan is based on their own desires, needs and wants. Appropriate levels of staffing, from 24 hours/7 days to part time, or job coach or companion provide the trained support. Rather than being isolated, each is integrated into the community of their choice, through social, recreational, cultural or volunteer activities. People can get up, eat, and go to bed when they choose.

How are you funded to provide services?
At a cost of a quarter of the cost of traditional institutional care, supported living as CV practices is funded through government allocated funds and fund-raising by CV.

Is all of your care one on one?
Yes. Community Vision staff assist individuals in their own homes.

What is “supported living”?
Community Vision tailors its support to individual needs and preferences. Along with their families, people supported by CV develop a plan for personal growth. They plan where they want to live, the work or recreation they want to pursue, and the important relationships they want to develop. To the fullest of their ability, people supported by CV assume responsibility for their own plan.

What kinds of disabilities do the people you serve have?
Many different kinds. Some physical challenges, some behavioral, some MR/DD ---Many kinds of developmental disabilities (from birth).

What kind of housing do they live in? What areas?
House, duplex, apartment. All over Portland and Gresham area.

Besides financial contributions, how else can I contribute?


What categories of donor participation do you offer?


How do individuals who need 24-hour support live on their on their own?
Staff provide all the support they need to achieve this.

How long has CV been serving individuals with developmental disabilities?
Community Vision was founded in 1989, by Joe Wykowski, who is the current Executive Director. He has 28 years experience in the DD field and he holds a BS in Psychology and Social Sciences, with a MS in Education. Joe is nationally recognized for his leadership in creating innovative services for people with developmental disabilities.

He consults and speaks nationwide on supported living and supported employment, community building and organizational start-up and development. Joe also Works with the National Home of Your Own Alliance to promote person-owned or controlled housing for people with disabilities. He is also an active member and past officer of the Association for Persons with Severe handicaps (TASH).