Disability Rights Oregon

07/05/2025

This 4th of July weekend, we're reflecting on the ideals that unite us: freedom, opportunity, and the belief that we can always work toward a better tomorrow.

Take care of yourselves and have a safe weekend ❤️

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 Our office and phone lines will be closed on Friday, July 3, for the Independence Day holiday. We'll be back on Monday morning.

If you need resources while we're out, please visit droregon.org >

07/02/2025

Today marks the 61st anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—a pivotal moment that changed the course of American history and laid the foundation for every civil rights movement that followed, including disability rights.

The Disability Rights Movement in the U.S. learned important lessons and tactics from the decades long struggle for racial justice in the US including:

👉🏾 Non-violent direct action to force the Government to enact laws.
👉🏾 Education of the public via news stories and investigations.
👉🏾 Use of Federal courts to force action when the state had failed.

From the lunch counter sit-ins to disability rights activists crawling up the Capitol steps, the tactics and spirit of resistance connected these movements across decades.

As we commemorate this anniversary, we remember the fight for civil rights is far from over. People with disabilities still face barriers to employment, housing, healthcare, and full participation in society. The principles established 61 years ago today continue to guide our work for true equality and inclusion.

Civil rights are disability rights. The struggle continues.

07/01/2025

⚠️ URGENT!! The Senate just passed the "One Big Brutal Bill!" ⚠️

Please take two minutes protect:

- 129,616 Oregonians with disabilities on Medicaid’s Oregon Health Plan.
- Numerous services supporting people with developmental disabilities.
- Thousands of struggling families from going hungry.

👉🏻 Email your representatives NOW at tinyurl.com/yc442jdz >
👉🏽 Call them at (202) 224-3121

Our community's lives depend on it!

06/28/2025

We're so excited about this year's ADA Celebration free webinars that launch on July 8! The series will be from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm every Tuesday in July. Members of the public are welcome to participate.

👉 Register now at tinyurl.com/ykpsrcsd >
👉 To ask accessibility questions and request accommodations, email OregonDisabilities.Commission@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Topics by date are:

July 8: Striving for Educational Access and Equity for Students with Disabilities
July 15: Working Towards Equal Access Employment for People with Disabilities
July 22: Guest presenters Hannah and Shane Burcaw: Squirmy and Grubs
July 29: Oregon's Journey to Accessibility: Removing Barriers

06/28/2025

🚨 URGENT: Oregon Families Under Attack!

The so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" is anything but beautiful for our community. This brutal legislation would:

💔 Strip life-saving healthcare from 129,616 Oregonians with disabilities by slashing Medicaid by $800 billion
💔 Remove health insurance from 36,220 people by gutting Medicaid expansion
💔 Make food even less affordable by cutting SNAP by $230 billion - meaning a modest meal would cost 71% more than the maximum benefit

These aren't just numbers—these are our neighbors, our family members, and our friends who depend on these programs to survive.

What You Can Do RIGHT NOW:
📞 Call your Senators at (202) 224-3121
✉️ Or use this form: tinyurl.com/mtumedjz >

Tell them to:
❌ Vote NO on the "One Big Beautiful Bill"
✅ Reject cuts that harm Oregon's disability community
✅ Protect programs that save money AND save lives

These aren't just budget cuts—they're attacks on us and our loved ones. Please take action today.

06/27/2025

“The Americans with Disabilities Act was a landmark victory in the fight for civil rights, laying the foundation for greater equity and independence. The anniversary of the Act is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made and to reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible Oregon for people with disabilities. We are grateful to our co-hosts for their partnership in presenting the upcoming webinar series. Their collaboration helps ensure we continue to educate, engage and advocate in ways that honor the spirit and impact of the ADA.” - Mark King, Chair of the Oregon Disabilities Commission

Read more in a news release: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/webinar-series-to-honor-35-years-of-disability-civil-rights-kicks-off-july-8

06/25/2025

Thank you to both Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas for taking time to meet with us, Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and OHSU UCEDD Community Partners Council (CPC) about proposed cuts to disability services funding.

Over 1 million Oregonians living with disabilities depend on these critical programs for independence, healthcare, employment support, and basic needs. Your leadership in protecting these essential services makes a real difference in our community!

06/22/2025

🏛️ Remembering a Landmark Victory for Disability Rights 🏛️

Today marks the 26th anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C., the groundbreaking 1999 Supreme Court case that put into law that people with disabilities have the right to live in their communities rather than being unnecessarily segregated in institutions.

The case began when two women with intellectual disabilities, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, challenged their continued institutionalization in Georgia despite their treatment professionals determining they could be appropriately served in community settings.

While we celebrate this milestone, we know the full promise of Olmstead remains unfulfilled for many. That's why we do the work we do. Community integration requires adequate funding, accessible housing, employment opportunities, and a commitment to inclusion from all of us.

Let's honor this anniversary by continuing to advocate together for policies and practices that support true community inclusion!

06/21/2025

🌞 Happy Summer Solstice, everyone! Depending on where you live in Oregon, it may not look or feel like the first day of summer, but it is! Here’s to growth, warmth, and new beginnings! ☀️💕

06/20/2025

⚠️ The federal government is on the brink of cutting the only independent watchdogs that protect people with disabilities.

👉 Tell Congress: Protect P&A funding.

https://secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUamWdNZNIgMew2

06/17/2025

We're still busy advocating against HB 3835A in Salem. If this dangerous bill passes, critical protections of vulnerable children and teens will be rolled back, and more youth will be hurt or worse.

We can't let that happen. Find out why from OPB News >

She was a foster kid sent out of state. Now, she reflects on lawmakers changing the law to allow other children to be sent across state lines.