Disability Rights Connection

Local to global, interesting happenings, issues, news, and resources on disability.

Disability Rights Oregon launches Special Education Volunteer Attorney program

Disability Rights Oregon is seeking volunteer attorneys to increase its ability to help Oregon’s children with disabilities who are not receiving adequate special education services. Volunteer attorneys will assist students whose situations can be appropriately addressed with straightforward written complaints, limited to clear violations of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). DRO’s Special Education Advocacy Program has been designed so that participating volunteer attorneys will be able to do valuable and needed work with a high degree of control over how that work impacts their own schedules and practice demands.

Free CLE: Protecting the Rights of Students with Disabilities

Attend this free CLE to learn more about special education advocacy and DRO's new Special Education Volunteer Attorney program. This free CLE will be hosted by Smith Freed and Eberhard P.C. on April 18, 2013. The CLE presentation will be 3pm-4:30pm. It will be followed by a meet and greet from 4:30pm-5:30pm with hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided. 1.5 CLE credits pending. Register by April 11. Registration is limited to 50 attendees.

Legislative Update - 2/22/13

This week's legislative update addresses mental health service dogs for veterans, family law, the state disabilities act, restraint and seclusion in schools, and mental health crisis services, abuse protection and funding.

DRO is investigating possible exploitation of individuals with cognitive disabilities by for-profit vocational schools

DRO is looking into whether for-profit vocational schools are targeting individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Legislative Update - 3/8/13

The legislative update this week includes coverage of the budget, the mental health caucus, high school and transition services, a State Plan for Alzheimer's and other related dementias, expansion of the state definition of public accommodations, reevaluation of individual service plans (ISPs), creation of a State Public Guardian office, and certification of professional fiduciaries.

Legislative Update - 3/1/13

This week's bills address commitment laws, restraint and seclusion in schools, higher education for students with modified diplomas and students who use ASL, and mental health screenings.

Legislative Update - 2/22/13

During the session, DRO will send out a weekly summary of events and issues of interest to the disability community.

Legislative Update - 2/15/13

During the session, DRO will send out a weekly summary of events and issues of interest to the disability community.

Legislative Update - 2/8/13

During the session, DRO will send out a weekly summary of events and issues of interest to the disability community.

Intellectual/Developmental Disability Legislative Advocacy Training (Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook Street, Portland, OR 97213, from Jan 30, 2013 02:00 PM to Jan 30, 2013 05:00 PM)

Participants are welcome to attend and learn how the Oregon legislative process works, how to develop relationships with legislators, being an effective advocate and current issues pertinent to intellectual/developmental disability advocates. Senator Chip Shields is scheduled to attend and speak with participants.

Housing forum to benefit people with disabilities (Independent Living Resources, 1839 NE Couch St., Portland OR, from Feb 04, 2013 09:30 AM to Feb 04, 2013 03:30 PM)

The purpose of the forum is to gather input and identify state, as well as local, strategies and action steps as part of a federal planning grant for housing for individuals with disabilities. Information gathered at the Forum will aid in establishing state policy recommendations and the role of HUD 811 resources in Oregon. Housing providers, service providers, housing and services consumers, advocates, private and community partners, and community leaders are invited to attend.

Housing forum to benefit people with disabilities (Independent Living Resources, 1839 NE Couch St., Portland OR, from Feb 14, 2013 09:30 AM to Feb 14, 2013 03:30 PM)

The purpose of the forum is to gather input and identify state, as well as local, strategies and action steps as part of a federal planning grant for housing for individuals with disabilities. Information gathered at the Forum will aid in establishing state policy recommendations and the role of HUD 811 resources in Oregon. Housing providers, service providers, housing and services consumers, advocates, private and community partners, and community leaders are invited to attend.

Initial housing forum to benefit people with disabilities (Independent Living Resources, 1839 NE Couch St., Portland OR, from Jan 29, 2013 09:30 AM to Jan 29, 2013 03:30 PM)

The purpose of the forum is to gather input and identify state, as well as local, strategies and action steps as part of a federal planning grant for housing for individuals with disabilities. Information gathered at the Forum will aid in establishing state policy recommendations and the role of HUD 811 resources in Oregon. Housing providers, service providers, housing and services consumers, advocates, private and community partners, and community leaders are invited to attend.

DRO Investigation into Abuse at Centennial School District

DRO investigated abuse of non-verbal special education students in a structured skills classroom in Centennial School District. DRO made subsequent recommendations to the school district, Gresham Police Department, and Oregon State Department of Human Services.

A Message and Request from Bob Joondeph

 

DRO Report Raises Concerns About How and Why Multnomah County Decided to Defend its Poor Treatment of Jail Inmates with Mental Illness

A report to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on DRO's lawsuit "Kenneth Yeo v. Washington County et al," and recommendations for the County to reduce future harm to people with disabilities.

Easy Voters Guide now available here (Guía Fácil Para Votantes ahora disponible aquí)

Disability Rights Oregon contributed to the nonpartisan Easy Voters Guide. (Disability Rights Oregon contribuyé al Guía Fácil Para Votantes no partidaria.)

OHP Open Card members: New information about CCO enrollment

Members of the Oregon Health Plan who are fee-for-service (open card) clients will receive notice this month that they will be enrolled in Coordinated Care Organizations on November 1. Here is some information that explains what a CCO is, why the change is happening, what tribal members can do, and what else it might mean for you.

Community alliance make Portland Police recommendations based on DOJ report

A community alliance which includes Disability Rights Oregon, the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform, and Copwatch have proposed a set of remedies to the Portland Police Bureau, following an investigation by the Department of Justice into the Bureau's practices. This document outlines proposed remedies to the Portland Police Bureau and its oversight systems based on longstanding community demands, as well as recommendations explicitly and implicitly made in the DOJ's Sept. 12 report.

Check out our updated Special Education Guide!

The update reflects changes to the law regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in schools and special education services for transition-age students who have not earned a regular diploma.