You have the right and the power to speak up for yourself. Watch our new animated video for tips on self-advocacy — asking for what you need and reaching your goals. 🎬 Watch the video at youtu.be/QWDR1etpYlw?si=_5mOCTpDdhC97kMQ

Grateful to Audra Pearson for speaking up for the rights of people with disabilities! Audra, a plaintiff in DRO's lawsuit with Disability Law United and ACLU against Portland & Multnomah County, joined our CEO Jake Cornett on OPB's Think Out Loud to talk about the case. 👉 tinyurl.com/yp3jywb8

Impacted by wildfires? Upstream Access, a disability-led nonprofit, has emergency response resources for people with disabilities and older adults — backup power, NIOSH respirators, heat safety supplies, and more. Email Erin at E.Taylor@upstreamaccess.org

DON'T FORGET! August 31 deadline to apply for Partners in Policymaking® — DRO's free leadership series for self-advocates (18+), parents & adult siblings of kids w disabilities! Alumni change schools, win elections & more across Oregon. 🔗 Info, Apply: droregon.org/pip

Oregon Partners in Policymaking Leadership Series — DRO

droregon.org

We filed a federal lawsuit this week against Portland & Multnomah County over emergency systems failing people w disabilities — following the 2021 heat wave that killed 69 people and years of ignored warnings from the city's own auditor. More on the lawsuit and plaintiffs: https://ow.ly/NLUE50Zu0BW

Lawsuit: People with Disabilities, Advocates Sue City of Portland and Multnomah County Over Inaccessible Emergency Systems — DRO

Federal lawsuit follows 2021 heat wave that killed 69 people and years of ignored warnings from the city's auditor

droregon.org

Conditions behind the 2025 LA wildfires are present in Portland too. For residents w disabilities risk is compounded by lack of accessible alerts & evacuation planning. Would you get an alert you could use? Could you evacuate safely? Share your story: secure.everyaction.com/NzD2YKl19UWduAOQB1407w2

TOMORROW — Tues, July 28, 2026 — at 11:30 am 👉 ADA36 free webinar "Understanding DOJ's Rule on Digital Accessibility" Speakers include Kaitlin Spidell of NW ADA Center and Julian De Los Prados, co-founder of Accessibilities 🔗 Register and join us at https://ow.ly/AJHX50ZstBf

The ADA affirmed in 1990 that people w disabilities have equal rights to live, work & participate in society. Curb cuts, closed captioning, workplace accommodations — its impact is everywhere. Today we recommit to the work ahead. #ThanksToTheADA #ADA36 #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityRights

Assistive Technology (AT) isn't just a convenience — it's a civil right. We wrote an article for the OR State Bar's Elder Law Section on why AT belongs in every conversation about a client's independence. 📖 Page 7 → https://ow.ly/ue6c50Zp8Nr #ElderLaw #DisabilityRights

Applications open for Partners in Policymaking® — Disability Rights Oregon’s free 8-month leadership series for self-advocates (18+), parents of kids with disabilities & adult siblings! Alumni have shaped policy, won elections & changed schools across Oregon. 🔗 Apply by Aug 31 → droregon.org/pip

TOMORROW — Tuesday, July 21 👉 Free webinar "ADA: How Far We've Come and What Comes Next" with speakers from the NW ADA Center and the Oregon Health Authority's Equity and Inclusion Division. 🔗 Register and join us at https://bit.ly/OregonADA36

Te pedimos tu retroalimentación — y de verdad nos importa. 🔗 Por favor llena nuestra encuesta comunitaria aquí: surveymonkey.com/r/SWW6QVG

One newsletter a month. All the disability rights updates that matter for Oregon. Policy changes, legal developments, resources — for people with disabilities, caregivers, and advocates alike. 👉 Subscribe: droregon.org/subscribe

July is Disability Pride Month 🎉 Here's a list of books on disability identity, activism & joy — from Judith Heumann's memoir to Sara Novic's True Biz. All available FREE at your library 📚 What would you add to this list? 🔗 https://ow.ly/jshG50ZjSL9

5 books for Disability Pride Month - @theU

In honor of Americans with Disabilities Act, we’ve curated a collection of powerful books that celebrate and explore the experiences of those in the disabled...

attheu.utah.edu

Join us TOMORROW—Tue, July 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM 👉 ADA36 free webinar "Building Inclusive & Accessible Emergency Management Systems" Speakers include leaders from Upstream Access, Deaf Activities of Southern Oregon, the OR Disabilities Commission & more. 🔗 Bios + RSVP: https://bit.ly/OregonADA36

Good news! Parker's Place Village, a new low-barrier shelter in Grants Pass, opened this month. It was funded by a settlement from DRO's lawsuit with Disability Law Center, which required the city to provide reasonable accommodations for homeless residents with disabilities per Oregon law.

Shelter opening moves Grants Pass toward closing downtown resting sites

After months of work, residents have begun moving into Parker's Place Village, a new homeless shelter in Grants Pass, Oregon.

opb.org

📣 Free event in Hillsboro! 📅 July 19 | 12–3 PM 📍 Hidden Creek Community Center ✅ Meet local emergency preparedness resources ✅ Build your person-centered emergency plan ✅ ASL + Spanish interpretation available Hosted by Upstream Access + Hillsboro Parks & Rec

Free Tuesday webinars to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act start tomorrow at 11:00 AM on Zoom — and cross-disability issues and supports are up first! Get info & links at oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/pages/ada-celebration.aspx #ADA36 #DisabilityRights

5 unexpected Oregon State Hospital deaths since 2023. The state oversight board hasn't met in nearly a year — and only 4 of 14 seats are filled. Lives are at stake. We commend State Representative Hai Pham, DMD, for pushing real accountability. #ORleg https://ow.ly/g31p50ZjNTj

Oregon lawmaker pushing for more oversight of Oregon State Hospital

An Oregon lawmaker is pushing for more accountability at the state's psychiatric hospital after a patient death.

ow.ly

Happy 250th, USA 🇺🇸 Today we recommit to making sure freedom means everyone. Not just on paper. In real life. In our communities, our schools, our workplaces, and our homes. Liberty and justice for all means all. #July4th #America250 #DisabilityRights #FreedomForAll

Disability Rights Oregon's offices and phone lines will be closed tomorrow — Friday — in observance of the July 4th holiday (Independence Day). We hope you all have a safe and fun weekend! 🇺🇸

🎉 We're celebrating 36 years of the ADA with a free 4-part webinar series on Tuesdays in July | 11:30 AM–1 PM on Zoom. We'll cover ADA history, cross-disability, emergency preparedness, and more! 🔗 Info & RSVP: oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/pages/ada-celebration.aspx #ADA36 #DisabilityRights

We won't go back. People with disabilities fought for decades to live in their communities. DOJ's new Olmstead memo — combined with Medicaid cuts — threatens to reverse that. Institutionalization is not care. Oregon must hold the line. #WeWontGoBack #DisabilityRights #Olmstead

Get useful resources at Clackamas County Developmental Disabilities Resource Fair! • Sat., June 27, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM • Clackamas County College • 19600 Molalla Ave, G103, Oregon City 👉 More information: https://www.clackamas.us/event/clackamas-county-developmental-disabilities-resource-fair

🚴‍♂️ Inclusion Empowers Bike First! camp starts tomorrow! BikeFirst! hosts an annual five-day camp to teach children, youth, & adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the skills to ride two-wheel bicycles independently. 👉 inclusionempowers.org/about

Te pedimos tu retroalimentación — y de verdad nos importa. 🔗 Por favor llena nuestra encuesta comunitaria aquí: surveymonkey.com/r/SWW6QVG

Have you: → Struggled to evacuate because your needs weren't planned for? → Been blocked from emergency shelters or services? → Lost access to critical equipment or meds during a disaster? Your experience can change the law. 🔗 Share it with us: tinyurl.com/Emergency-Preparedness-Story

36 years of the ADA! 🎉 Join our FREE Tuesday webinars this July (11:30 am – 1 pm, on Zoom) on disability rights & accessibility. 🔗 RSVP: oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/pages/ada-celebration.aspx ADA36 #DisabilityRights #Accessibility #CivilRights #FreeWebinar

Advocates for disability rights are fighting Texas v. Kennedy, a case that could push more people to be warehoused in institutions. Thanks to their efforts a couple of states have even dropped the case.

Disability Rights Are at Risk as 7 States Back Case Attacking Key Protections

Advocates for disability rights are fighting the lawsuit, which would push more people to be warehoused in institutions.

newsletter.mariannedhenin.com

Hi 👋 Over a year ago, many of you followed hoping we'd show up — today, we are. Disability Rights Oregon has been promoting & defending civil rights since 1977. Now we're bringing that work here: the wins, struggles, policy fights, and the community. We're glad you waited. Let's get to work. ❤️