Disability Rights Oregon

?? The safety of Oregon's kids is at risk, and we need your help to submit formal testimony to the legislature this week! If HB 3835 passes, critical protections of our most vulnerable children and teens will fundamentally be gutted. This dangerous bill will limit how and when child abuse and neglect are investigated, remove nearly all independent oversight of the Oregon Department of Human Services, weaken legal protections that keep kids safe, and many more bad things. Illegal seclusion and restraint practices in school will not be investigated—unless a child dies or is permanently disfigured—and foster youth will be stranded in homeless shelters. We are testifying in Salem this week to kill this dangerous bill, and we need your help! ???? Submit written testimony by this Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM at tinyurl.com/mrncfjeb > Thank you for telling legislators to protect Oregon kids and Vote “NO!” on HB 3835!

THIS FRIDAY is World Down Syndrome Day! NW Disability Support and Down Syndrome Network Oregon are coming together to celebrate—and you are invited to join for community celebration, food, and fun! Here's a peek at the schedule: - Activities in the gym from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm - Food and beverages will be available from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Pool time will be from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (The swimming pool will have limited capacity. Please sign up for a time slot upon arrival.) ???? Date: Friday, March 21, 2025 ???? Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm ???? Where: Southwest Community Center, 6820 SW 45th Avenue, Portland ???? Registration is required by Thursday, March 19, 2025 at dsno.org/register-wdsd > ???? Questions? Please contact Yoisy at [email protected] or 503-544-0872

Good News! Oregon households that receive SNAP in certain counties and who lost food due to the February 24, 2025 storm have extra time to request replacement of their food benefits. If you live in one of these counties, you can request replacement benefits until March 26, 2025: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, and Washington. Residents of all other counties can request a replacement within 10 days of the date their food was destroyed. ?? Get details from KATU-TV >

Oregon Partners in Policymaking Leadership Series (PIP) participants rallied in Salem earlier this week in support of increased special education funding and accountability. Great job not being slowed down by cold and wet weather! You can learn more about PIP and how you can get involved at droregon.org/pip >

?? URGENT ACTION ALERT! A bill that hurts kids is quickly moving through an Oregon Legislative Committee. We are shocked HB 3835 has even seen the light of day, and we need your help to stop it! The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) is trying to pass a bill that limits sexual abuse investigations, guts laws on seclusion and restraint in schools, and allows the state to house foster youth in homeless shelters. We will be testifying and submitting written comments in opposition of HB 3835 next week. Here’s what you can do to help: ???? Tell the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services to oppose HB 3835 at tinyurl.com/25ujtrcc > ???? Share this post and ask your friends and family to do the same! ???? Testify in person at the committee hearing: ?? Signing up is required at tinyurl.com/4z7x3thv > ?? Deadline to sign up is Thursday, March 20 at 7:30 AM ?? You must register as "opposed" to HB 3835 ?? Hearing Day and Time: March 20, 2025, at 8:00 AM ?? Location: Hearing Room E, Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court Street NE, Salem (entrance on State Street due to construction) ???? You can also submit written testimony by Saturday, March 22, at 8:00 AM at tinyurl.com/ey6jac99 > THANK YOU for standing up for kids and telling legislatures you expect them to do the same! ??

On this day in 1990, 60 people with disabilities abandoned their mobility aids and crawled up the US Capitol steps to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Four months later, the ADA was passed. Our community knows how to fight for our rights! Heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the Capitol Crawl! ???? Photo courtesy Tom Olin

Thank you to all Oregonians uniting to protect Medicaid and the life-saving benefits it provides statewide! Here is a rally taking place this weekend in southwest Oregon! ???? When: Saturday, March 15, 2025 ???? Time: 2:00 to 3:00 pm ?? Where: Vogel Plaza, 12 S Central Ave, Medford

If you voted in the last election, the Center for American Progress (CAP) would like to hear your story to better understand experiences of people with disabilities. CAP's Disability Justice Initiative is looking for people willing to share about the accessibility of their voting experiences via a brief Zoom or written interview. People with disabilities are rarely highlighted when talking about their right to vote. Here's your chance! ???? Tell your story by completing the form at tinyurl.com/5ajpceu3 >

Just a friendly reminder that Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9th at 2:00 AM. Remember to "spring forward" and set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed tonight! We'll lose an hour of sleep, but evenings will be lighter for longer! ??

For the first time, an astronaut with a disability has been cleared for a mission to the International Space Station! ?? Get details from Disability Scoop >