Advocacy Tools and Tips
Being an advocate is not difficult—and you don’t have to be a political expert to fill this role. All you need to succeed as an advocate are a few basics about the way your Legislature works and information about what motivates legislators.
Oregon Crisis Care Plan Harms People with Disabilities, People of Color, and Older Adults Tell Leaders: Our Lives Have Equal Value
Disability Rights Oregon filed a formal federal civil rights complaint against the State of Oregon challenging its Crisis Care Guidance. This plan discriminates against people with disabilities, people of color, and seniors.
COVID-19: Advocates ask Governor Brown to Protect the Health, Safety, and Independence of 950,000 Oregonians with Disabilities
In a letter to Gov. Kate Brown and other state officials yesterday evening, advocates with Disability Rights Oregon, the ACLU of Oregon, FACT Oregon, and the Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition asked the state to take action to meet the needs of Oregonians with disabilities, who are among those at greatest risk during the current public health crisis.
COVID-19 testing in Oregon remains insufficient
Halt Indefinite Detention of Defendants with Disabilities due to COVID-19
Closing the doors of the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) to defendants found unable to aid and assist in their defense during the COVDI-19 public health crisis means more people with mental illness will be stuck indefinitely in county jails.
Urging Governor Brown to Prevent Discrimination
Restraint and Seclusion
All children need to be safe at school. In some schools, children with disabilities are secluded in rooms by themselves away from their classmates or physically restrained.
Advocacy Continues During COVID-19 Public Health Response
Helping Oregonians with Disabilities Live in Their Own Homes
When people with physical disabilities or older Oregonians live in their own homes, they enjoy greater independence and self-determination. Here’s how we help.
Eliminating Employment Barriers for Recipients of Social Security Benefits
We assist in eliminating the barriers social security recipients face in their efforts to begin work or return to work.
Client Assistance Program
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Guardianship Rights: Who We Help and How We’ve Transformed Guardianship Law
2020 Goals and Priorities
Hospitals Sweeping Patients with Mental Illness into Criminal Justice System
Our 2019 investigative report (“The ‘Unwanteds’: Looking for help, landing in jail”) into trespass arrests at six Portland hospitals revealed that too often the hospitals resorted to having people arrested when they won’t leave.
Medical Neglect in Prison
Our 2019 investigative report concluded medical neglect led to the death of an inmate who experienced mental illness and cognitive disabilities at the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Multnomah County Jail Detainees in Mental Health Crisis Endure Solitary Confinement, Violence, and Deprivation
In our 2017 report “A Merry Go Round that Never Stops”, we examined jail conditions of people accused of low level offenses and advocate for healthcare and supports.
Banning the Use of Canines to Control Jail Inmates
In the fall of 2018, we issued a report to bring attention to the fact that Columbia County was using canines for this purpose and to call for a statewide ban.