The Arc Oregon

02/27/2026

Tomorrow is the last day of Black History Month for 2026, but it is never too late to uplift the voices of Black disability rights advocates.

This article from Disability Rights Florida shares the stories of 17 influential advocates, who each pushed for racial justice and disability rights in their own ways. Read the article here: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/blog/entry/impactful_black_disability_advocates_and_advocates

This year's Black History Month is also a special anniversary, marking 100 years of celebrating Black history in February. You can learn more about the 100-year Black History Month celebration here: https://blackhistory100.org/.

Disability rights and racial justice are deeply connected.

Black people with disabilities experience higher rates of discrimination in education, health care, housing, and the criminal justice system. These barriers don’t exist in isolation. They are shaped by history, policy, and long-standing inequities.

Disability Rights Florida wrote an article about 17 Black disability advocates who shaped the fight for disability rights. Read full article to learn how these leaders paved the way for change.

Celebrating Black history means telling the full story, including disability. 🖤

Link in comments.

02/24/2026

Our March 3 training is right around the corner. Join Lindsay Dutton on Zoom from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM to learn about The Intersection of Person, Culture, and Disability.

This interactive training uses hands-on learning strategies to help you deepen your understanding of intersectionality and how it relates to disability.

Spots for this training are filling up quickly, so sign up while you still can! Learn more and register at: https://thearcoregon.org/training-details/?event-id=1823

02/20/2026

Next Tuesday, the Fair Housing Council of Oregon is hosting a FREE virtual webinar for service providers to learn about fair housing rights for people with IDD. The training will cover fair housing basics, disability-related housing rights, and how to get help if someone is being discriminated against. If you support or advocate for people with IDD, this training is for you! Sign up using the link in the post below.

📣TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT: This training empowers IDD (intellectual and developmental disorder) service providers and advocates to support clients’ fair housing rights, with emphasis on disability protections, insights from 2024 IDD community listening sessions, and practical guidance for addressing discrimination.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
1:00 - 3:00 PM

During this session, we will cover essential topics, including:
• Fair housing basics
• Disability, including reasonable modifications, accommodations, and assistance animals
• Analysis of the findings from 2024 listening sessions with the IDD community
• How to get help when discrimination occurs

Register today! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84476641859?pwd=6GNJXHk4M9zKYgVfGZtzYZMeV28rsi.1

02/12/2026

The Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition is holding their GO! Project advocacy day today. This is an important day to make your voice heard with lawmakers before the short legislative session ends. Join us from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Oregon State Library. Members of The Arc Oregon will be there wearing yellow to support!

Self-Advocates 📣THIS THURSDAY, join our GO! Project Advocacy Team in Salem to advocate for DD supports and services!

New to self-advocacy? Our team will be there to provide information, training, and support!

👉 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIeiiwKQYG_HKSiUuHXNvriSwESzWlQCAmceNb0CdiuCchNA/viewform

🗓 Thursday, February 12

🕓 10AM to 2PM, with a training from 11AM to 12PM

📍State Library of Oregon (Room 102 and 103), 250 Winter St NE, Salem

🔗 Learn more here: https://orddcoalition.org/go-project/

02/12/2026

How we support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is shaped by culture, lived experience, and real-world context.

Our training on March 3 will be a space to learn, reflect, and grow together.

We will talk about practical ways to show up with respect and understanding in everyday settings. At work. At home. In the community.

This training is for anyone who wants to strengthen how they support people with I/DD.

We hope you will join us and learn alongside others who care.

Learn more at https://thearcoregon.org/training/

02/09/2026

This post from the Oregon Department of Human Services explains the meaning of Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents, or ABAWD. This is an important term to understand if you receive SNAP benefits, because the new federal work requirements for SNAP have changed who qualifies as an ABAWD. If you have questions, you can call ODHS at 833-947-1694 or email snap.abawdteam@odhs.oregon.gov.

You’ve probably seen us post the term “ABAWD” quite a bit recently. New federal SNAP work rules have changed who is considered an ABAWD – or Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents. People with ABAWD status must meet special work requirements in order to receive SNAP benefits. But what does ABAWD actually mean?

AB: Able-Bodied – In general, this means that you are physically and mentally able to work. If you receive disability benefits or can’t work because of a physical, mental, or behavioral health reason, you may be exempt from the work rules. If you think you are exempt, be sure to let us know so we can update your case! Call us at 833-947-1694 or email snap.abawdteam@odhs.oregon.gov.

A: Adult – Anyone who is aged 18 through 64. This definition has changed with the new federal rules. Previously, if you were 55 or older, you did not count as ABAWD.

WD: Without-Dependents – Anyone who does not have a child under the age of 14 on their SNAP case. This definition has also changed with the new federal rules. Previously, if you had a child under the age of 18 in your SNAP household, you did not count as ABAWD. If you care for someone over the age of 14 who cannot care for themselves, you may qualify for an exemption. Call us at 833-947-1694 or email snap.abawdteam@odhs.oregon.gov so that we can talk about it.

A couple more things:

- The new federal rules made it so that some people who were previously exempt from the ABAWD work rules now have to meet them. This includes veterans, people who were in foster care, and people experiencing homelessness.

- People living in certain counties or on waived Tribal land may be exempt from ABAWD work requirements.

- We are working closely with the Oregon Employment Department to help SNAP recipients meet ABAWD work rules through job search, training and education services – but you must be referred to OED’s ABAWD services by ODHS in order to participate. Call us at 833-947-1694 or email snap.abawdteam@odhs.oregon.gov to discuss referral options.

Want more info? Visit https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/food/Pages/snap-time-limits.aspx to learn more.

02/01/2026

We’re excited to spotlight the new team members and familiar faces who make our work at The Arc Oregon possible.

Together, they bring a wide range of experience, passion, and commitment to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Oregon.

Get to know their stories, roles, and interests on our team page: https://thearcoregon.org/about/staff

01/23/2026

What does "trauma-informed care" mean, and what does it look like in action? Join Lindsay Dutton on February 17, 2026 from 9:00 am-11:00 am (PST) to learn about Being Trauma-Informed: The Basics of Safe and Supportive Care.

You'll learn how trauma impacts the brain and body, why trauma-informed care matters, and how you can create safer, more supportive environments.

Sign up now to secure your spot for this valuable training! Register here: https://thearcoregon.org/training-details/?event-id=1821

01/22/2026

You may be hearing about Medicaid work reporting and wondering what it actually means. A new law allows states to require some adults who have Medicaid health coverage to report work or community activities in the future.

Nothing is changing right now, and any changes would happen at the state level over the next few years.

We created a plain language guide that explains who may need to report, who should not, and what steps you can take now to protect your Medicaid.

Please read and share this with anyone who uses Medicaid or helps someone who does. Information like this can help people keep their health care.



Link in comments below. ⬇️

01/06/2026

Legislative Days in the Oregon State Legislature begins next week. This is an important time to let lawmakers know what issues matter to you. Join The Arc Oregon and make your voice heard during The Arc Day at the Capitol on January 13!

Plan your own meetings with lawmakers for Legislative Days. Then join advocates and chapters of The Arc from across Oregon to discuss our legislative priorities. We will gather for a rally outside the Capitol building, followed by a self-advocate meetup.

We will meet at 10:00 am at the State Library of Oregon: 250 Winter Street NE, Salem, OR, 97301. Please let us know you are coming by filling out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/n7Q8y9vLAX

12/31/2025

As we welcome 2026, we want to take a moment to wish our Oregon community a healthy and successful start to the new year. Your partnership and support continue to strengthen our mission of advancing disability rights and community inclusion for people with IDD across the state.

Please note that our office in Salem will be closed on January 1 and 2 as our team takes time to rest and prepare for the year ahead.

Here’s to fresh starts, renewed commitment, and a meaningful year of advocacy and impact together.

Learn more about our work at https://thearcoregon.org