Disability Rights Oregon

10/30/2025

🎉 Big news! For the first time ever, Disability Rights Oregon is joining on November 1st—because access and justice can't wait. Stay tuned!

10/29/2025

💔 We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Beckie Child, a former member of Disability Rights Oregon’s Board of Directors and our Mental Health Advisory Council.

Beckie was a passionate and fearless advocate for the rights and dignity of people with mental illness. Her voice, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice helped shape our work and inspired many across Oregon’s disability community.

Beckie’s legacy lives on in the progress she fought for and the lives she touched. We are grateful for her years of service and for the compassion and courage she brought to every conversation.

Our hearts are with Beckie’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege to know her. ❤️

10/29/2025

🚨 URGENT: SNAP benefits will NOT be available starting this Saturday, November 1, due to the federal government shutdown. If you or your family rely on SNAP/food stamps, please plan ahead now.

You are not alone. Find help for your family:

✅ Food banks near you: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/
✅ Enter your zip code to find locations

Find free groceries, fresh produce and nutritious meals near you through Oregon Food Bank’s network of food pantries and meal sites.

10/28/2025

Hey, Medford: You're Next!

We are hosting two listening sessions in November for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are at least 18 years old! Come and tell us your priorities and what's working or not for you.

Choose one session and location below and join us:

🗓️ November 20: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Medford Library, 205 S Central Avenue

🗓️ November 21: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Courtyard Medford Airport, 600 Airport Road

👉 No registration is required
👉🏾 Refreshments will be served
👉🏼 Email ciacangelo@droregon.org for accommodations. We hope to see you there!

10/27/2025

IMPORTANT SNAP UPDATE!

You can still use any SNAP benefits already on your EBT card. If the federal government shutdown continues into November, new SNAP benefits will be delayed. But any unused SNAP benefits on your EBT card from previous months will stay on your card until you use them or they expire (about one year from when they were issued).

Rumor alert! We’ve heard that there’s a rumor going around that EBT cards are being “shut off” due to the federal government shutdown. This is NOT true.

You can still use any SNAP benefits already on your EBT card. If the federal government shutdown continues into November, new SNAP benefits will be delayed. But any unused SNAP benefits on your EBT card from previous months will stay on your card until you use them or they expire (about one year from when they were issued).

If your EBT card isn’t working, check your balance online at https://ebtedge.com to make sure you still have funds available.

Important: ebtEDGE is the only website and mobile app approved by ODHS to check your SNAP balance. We don’t endorse any other websites or apps. Get tips to protect yourself from electronic benefits theft: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/benefits/Pages/protect.aspx

Learn more about how the federal government shutdown is impacting food benefits: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/Pages/snap-updates.aspx

Need help with food? Visit https://needfood.oregon.gov

10/27/2025

10/26/2025

People with Down syndrome enrich our communities with their talents and dreams. They build careers, pursue education, form relationships, and live independently.

Let's celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month by recognizing their skills, achievements, and contributions.

10/24/2025

You Can Help Shape Autism Policy!

Your lived experience can help fight false information about autism that’s currently spreading in government and public conversations.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is looking for people to serve on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. This committee helps coordinate federal autism efforts and advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services on autism spectrum disorder issues.

🗓️ Nominations for non-federal public members are due by Monday, November 10, 2025

👉 To nominate someone or learn about requirements, visit federalregister.gov/d/2025-18500 >

10/23/2025

Go to Shift Community Cycles to get your wheelchair ready for the fall and winter season! At this event you can expect to:

🎃 Decorate your wheelchair with lights and reflective strips in creative ways for visibility all season long
🛠 Get basic tune ups and simple repairs completed by mechanics from Shift Community Cycles
🤝 Build community with others to share experiences, tips and tricks.

10/23/2025

We’ve seen some confusion around the difference between the new federal rules that changed who can get SNAP and how the current federal government shutdown is impacting food benefits. Here is a breakdown of what’s happening and when:

First, the federal government passed a law in July 2025 that changed the rules for who can and cannot get SNAP. ODHS began sending letters on Oct. 15, 2025 to the first group of people who are losing their benefits or having them reduced due to these new rules. You can read about these rules here: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/odhs-begins-sending-notices-oct15-about-federal-snap-changes-under-hr1

Second, the federal government shutdown may impact November benefits. On Oct. 10, 2025, the Trump Administration told all states that we cannot give out November SNAP benefits until the federal government shutdown ends - even to people who still qualify under the new federal rules. You can read the notice from the USDA here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FqO7Mwggde6HS58RyQXR_RiOszFpeEu4/view

If Congress and President Trump reach a deal before Nov. 1, 2025, people who still get SNAP benefits under the new federal rules will get their SNAP benefits as usual in November.

If Congress and President Trump do not reach a deal before Nov. 1, 2025, no one will receive November SNAP until the federal government reopens or we receive new direction from the federal government. You can read more about how the federal government shutdown will impact food benefits in November here: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/Pages/snap-updates.aspx

The people who received the letters about new federal rules from ODHS mentioned earlier will still lose or see a reduction in SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, 2025 – even if the federal government reopens before then.

We know this is complicated and stressful. We want to help. ODHS is sharing updates as quickly as possible while making sure the information we share is accurate. For the most up-to-date information about federal changes, keep an eye on our social media and website.

If you're worried about having enough food, there are community resources that can help. Check out https://needfood.oregon.gov for support.

10/22/2025

Are you in the Bend area? We are hosting listening sessions and refreshments TOMORROW and on Thursday! Come and tell us your priorities and what's working or not for people 18+ w/ intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Dates, times, and locations are:

🗓️ October 23: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
East Bend Library, 62080 Dean Swift Road

🗓️ October 23: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Element Hotel, 1526 NW Wall Street

🗓️ October 24: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Element Hotel, 1526 Wall Street

👉 No registration is required
👉🏼 Email ciacangelo@droregon.org for accommodations. We hope to see you there!

10/21/2025

Advocate Now! 🚨Tomorrow is the final day to provide feedback to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) regarding proposed changes to the Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) program that would limit access to the benefit for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) effective 1/1/2026.

Public comments will be accepted until 10/21/25 at 5 p.m. PST. Email your public comment to medicaid.rules@oha.oregon.gov

Recommendation to OHA: We strongly urge the OHA to keep "developmental disability needs" and "needs assistance with ADLs or eligible for LTSS" as standalone criteria for Rent/Utility Financial Assistance.

If you're a customer of Community Pathways, please reach out to your personal agent (PA) with any questions you might have or email us at info@communitypath.org.