Dear Supporter, We’ve been so busy advocating for our community’s rights during the Oregon legislative session, the month almost got away from us. But there’s no way we would let April arrive without first celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!
What is Developmental Disabilities
Awareness Month? Every March, we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month alongside the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and other partners. Established in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, the annual campaign highlights the importance of fostering a world where people with disabilities are empowered and have full access to opportunities to thrive and contribute to society.
Developmental Disability Rights Project In Oregon, 67,000 adults and children have developmental disabilities. While March provides an opportunity for heightened awareness, true awareness happens when we commit to creating accessible environments and productive opportunities year-round. That’s why Disability Rights Oregon established the Developmental Disability Rights Project in 2023. Program staff have been busy ever since monitoring the living conditions at over 60 group homes and Stabilization and Crisis Units (SACUs) where members of our community reside statewide. Stay tuned for a report on our findings in the coming months, and please keep reading for important updates and opportunities! |
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🗓️ Opportunities & Announcements - New Investigation of Child Death in Foster Care (warning: discusses suicide): To help prevent another tragedy, we recently published an investigative report that details how the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) hid facts and failed a 17-year-old who died while in state custody. The report tells the story of J.D.’s last week and includes clear steps Oregon legislators and DHS should take to help prevent another tragedy. Read the report >
- Tell Legislators to Protect Oregon Kids! A bill that guts critical protections of children and teens—including all K-12 public school students and youth under state care—is quickly moving through an Oregon Legislative Committee. Disability Rights Oregon is shocked HB 3835 has even seen the light of day. It hurts kids, and we need your help to stop it! Get the facts about this dangerous bill, and tell legislators to vote “No!”—Oregon kids need stronger protections not worse!
- 2025 Disability Inclusion Summit: Join your peers and leaders from across the country to engage in dynamic discussions around “The Future of Disability at Work.” You’ll share innovative ideas and connect with decisionmakers.
- When: Thursday, April 10, 2025
- Where: Viking Pavilion, Portland State University
- Get details and register at summit.relayresources.org >
- Protect the Rights of People with Mental Illness: There’s a long list of ways Oregon can fix its broken mental health system, but expanding civil commitment isn’t on it. Limited resources should be spent on real solutions to our public health crisis, not on locking more people away. Join our fight >
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📢 We’re Hiring We currently have a few opportunities to join our staff! Click on each job title below for details and to apply: |
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I hope you’ve had a great month, and your spring is off to a fabulous start! Thank you for reading and for being an important part of the disability rights movement. |
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