I am a Disabled Person in Portland, Oregon. What are my Rights?

• Reasonable Housing Accommodations: As per the Fair Housing Act, you have the right to housing that does not discriminate against you because of your disability. This means that housing providers are unable to turn you away because you are disabled. It also means that they are required to change rules, policies, and services to accommodate for your disability, and allow you permission to make any physical or structural changes necessary to accommodate your disability. If you are disabled and your disability impedes your ability to make prompt rent payments, you may qualify for assistance from the state or federal government. You may also qualify for specially allocated subsidized housing.

• Non-Discriminatory Employment: You have the right not to be discriminated against by potential or current employers due to your disability. During the hiring process, you have the right not to be passed over specifically because of your disability. As an employee (or a college/secondary education student), you have the right to accommodations to prevent both physical and social barriers to equality and access.

• Education and Children’s Rights: Children from Kindergarten to Age 21 who are disabled have the right to free and appropriate education, including an IEP (Individualized Education Plan.) This may include a wide variety of services and opportunities to help children with disabilities live accessible, equitable lives.

• Protection from Abuse: Disabled people are uniquely vulnerable to abuse. As such, they have additional protections to ensure their right to live free from abuse. This includes additional laws governing criminal domestic violence or sexual abuse, financial abuse, adult abuse and neglect, and legal abuse.

• Financial Protection: Disabled people have the right to a wide range of financial protections. One of those protections is the right to participate in the Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) programs. These programs offer financial payments to cover cost of living for participants, who are called beneficiaries. Depending on the case, payments can be issued directly to beneficiaries, or to representative payees.