Legislative Advocacy Center

How We Help:

We need equal access to the world and the tools to reach our full potential. Every legislative session, Disability Rights Oregon pursues policy changes to bring us closer to that goal.

Together, we'll transform Oregon.

Oregon Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon
Featured
Growing the Next Generation of Disability Legal Advocates
Growing the Next Generation of Disability Legal Advocates

Every summer, we're lucky to welcome a new group of law clerks who bring energy, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to disability rights into our work. This year was no exception, and we're proud to share what they accomplished.

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Finding Hope in the Fight for Care: One Family's Story
Finding Hope in the Fight for Care: One Family's Story

When the Oregon Needs Assessment slashed home care hours by nearly 40 percent, one family faced an impossible choice. Here's how advocacy made all the difference.

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Red Flags Ignored: DHS Fails, Boy with Autism Dies Alone
Red Flags Ignored: DHS Fails, Boy with Autism Dies Alone

Our investigative report examines the cascade of failures by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) to protect “Lucas” from abuse, neglect, and, ultimately, death.

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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.

Learn More about Advocacy

Your Rights, Your Priorities

Your ideas needs to be front and center. Use this form to describe why a piece of legislation matters to your life. Share your story with us, your elected representatives, or with your local news media.

Legislative News Coverage

News
Oregon couple sentenced to life for murdering teen with autism
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Edwards, Cullins sentenced for death of Thomas Strong
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How Salem lawmakers’ priorities fared during the 2026 session
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Creating Change

Successes
Fight for Health Care Equity Not Over
Fight for Health Care Equity Not Over

DRO continues advocacy after key bills shut down by powerful insurance lobbyists

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2023 Legislative Wrap-up
2023 Legislative Wrap-up

Despite a myriad of challenges faced during Oregon’s 2023 legislative session, DRO was successful in advocating for a multitude of important policies affecting our community.

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New Oregon Law Protects Children from Shortened School Days
New Oregon Law Protects Children from Shortened School Days

DRO successfully advocated for Senate Bill 819, helping Oregon children with disabilities have equal education access.

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Access to Justice Now Available to Crime Survivors Who are Nonverbal
Access to Justice Now Available to Crime Survivors Who are Nonverbal

We fought to change the rules regarding what is considered evidence, making it possible for crime victims who are nonverbal to testify.

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Legislative Victory for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Communities
Legislative Victory for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Communities

DRO successfully fought for funding to improve ASL and captioning of state legislative process

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Stronger Protections against Bias in Healthcare 
Stronger Protections against Bias in Healthcare 

Combating discrimination that puts the lives of people with disabilities at risk

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Protecting People Subject to Guardianship
Protecting People Subject to Guardianship

Requiring notice to individuals who have a guardian appointed

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Donna's $4,000 Hearing Aid Didn't Work
Donna's $4,000 Hearing Aid Didn't Work

Read how we helped Donna advocate for her rights under Oregon’s Assistive Device Lemon Law.

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Oregon's ADA Report Card: How is Oregon Doing 30 Years Later?
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The Broader Fight for Equality
The Broader Fight for Equality

In the fall of 1981, when I was 17-years old, I dived into an above-ground swimming pool that was not well lit or marked for depth. I injured my spinal cord (C5 - C6) and became disabled. It wasn't until 12 years later that I first identified as a person with a disability. Fighting for passage of the ADA and focusing on my college education were the catalysts for me to steer my life in the direction that I wanted to take it.

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