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Edwards Center was founded in 1972 when few services existed for adults with disabilities. Prior to the 1970s parents of children with disabilities faced putting their children in large, impersonal institutions or bearing the immense challenge of caring for their children at home—without public education available.

Institutions, the only service providers equipped to care for this population, offered a bleak scenario. Clients shared bed spaces with up to 30 other children in environments that offered little stimulation or individual expression. In the late 1960s the situation started to change. Legislation passed in favor of parents who fought to get their children access to public schools—but for many it was too late because they were past the age for public school services. Parents of these children, now adults, sought out the most knowledgeable person available to help them get the services their children missed in years past. The parents, together with the help of Jean Edwards, wrote the first grant for funds to establish the Edwards Center.

Jean Edwards, as a doctoral student at New York’s Columbia University in 1969, traveled to witness a concept taking hold throughout Europe. “Normalization”—the practice of enabling people with developmental disabilities to live as parallel as possible to people in the mainstream—was a revolutionary concept. “I had a friend with Down’s Syndrome who I’d known all my life. I had become worried about his future and wanted to do something about it,” said Dr. Edwards, who is also a Professor Emeriti at Portland State University and a long-standing board member.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Caryl Knudsen, (1974-2007) Edwards Center has grown into the large and viable organization it is today. Caryl was a relentless advocate for our clients and other developmentally disabled adults in Oregon. She has trampled the halls of the state capitol talking with legislators lest they forget the needs of our clients. Creating options for those leaving the institution will be a large part of her legacy. She has been a tireless spokesperson for higher standards, quality services and better accountability in our field across the country. We are grateful for her vision and leadership of our organization.