uodsp: FW: DRO September 2025: What’s Our Next 504 Sit-In?

Thu Sep 18 13:39:08 PDT 2025

Dear UODSP List Members, The 504 sit-ins are a watershed moment in disability rights.  A must-know event for advocates and allies. When I taught the Disability Rights Law course at the UO, it was a key part of my course.

Thank you, Jake for sharing!

Note: DRO (Disability Rights Oregon) and the UO UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) are partner organizations in the DD (Developmental Disabilities) Network. Created by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (the DD Act), these federally funded organizations  work to promote self-determination, independence, and full inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities in their communities.
From: Jake Cornett, Disability Rights Oregon <welcome at droregon.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 9:30 AM

Share your ideas for our community’s next big action, discover new resources about your rights, and more ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/disabilityrightsoregon.salsalabs.org/september-2025?wvpId=6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2C6Hrjzg$>
Our work continues...
[Disability Rights Oregon logo]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T45ad40a3-a47d-4388-b195-40592246c9de/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2KD8sama$>

Did a friend forward you this email? Newsletter Signup<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T1e228c8a-a654-4346-b99c-3fdb028eb165/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2EBXnl1t$>
[Black and white photograph of disability rights activists protesting during the 1977 Section 504 sit-in in San Francisco, with protesters in wheelchairs holding signs including, 'We Shall Overcome.']

Dear Heidi,

I’ve been studying your answers to our annual disability community survey questions, and I am deeply grateful so many of you shared what’s most important! Your feedback helps us align our advocacy work with your priorities, and this year’s trend is clear: people are increasingly frightened by current threats to disability rights and services. Times like these remind me: we must look back at moments when our community came together and won.

52 Years Later: Rehabilitation Act of 1973

This month marks 52 years since a law that changed everything for people with disabilities. In September 1973, President Nixon signed the Rehabilitation Act<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T4285a50b-d6e9-4f4b-b1ce-ac3c7d2a211f/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2L6F_BUr$>, the first law to say that people with disabilities could not be treated unfairly by the government.

Before 1973, people with disabilities faced barriers everywhere. They couldn't get into schools. They couldn't find jobs and could be fired solely for having a disability. Most buildings had no ramps.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act changed this. It said any program that gets money from the government cannot discriminate against people with disabilities. But change didn’t come fast — or voluntarily.
Support Our Advocacy Work<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T5538de66-c51a-4b88-9f9b-1c81085dd96c/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2EvWqcS6$>
The 504 Sit-Ins: Fighting to Make It Real

The government took four years to write the rules for Section 504, and disability rights activists got tired of waiting. In April 1977, they organized protests in 10 cities called the "504 sit-ins." In San Francisco (pictured above), over 100 people with disabilities took over a federal building for 28 days. They refused to leave until the government signed the rules.

It worked. The government realized our community won't wait quietly for change and finally made Section 504 real.

Why This Matters Today

Now disability rights face new threats. Some politicians want to weaken disability laws including our right to vote. Some employers ignore the rules. Some students can’t go to school.

Just like the 504 sit-ins, we need big actions again. And just like our annual survey, we need your input. When the disability community comes together, people listen!

What do you think our next big action should be?<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Te44dbaa2-3748-42fb-b533-4c64eb4fb5e9/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2IgGQDId$>

🗓️ Opportunities & Announcements

·         🎉 Save the Date! Partners Graduation Party May 8, 2026 🎉
Join us next spring for a fun evening of celebrating Oregon Partners in Policymaking® Leadership Series 2026 graduates! This special reception will honor our remarkable class, and we’ll hear a keynote address from a seasoned National Public Radio (NPR) disability investigative reporter. Stay tuned for details!

·         NEW VR Resources! We recently published two new guides to help you understand your rights to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services that support people with disabilities who want work. One guide shares the necessary steps to receive supports for students transitioning to employment as adults. The other explains how to get financial help to buy, repair, or modify a vehicle that’s necessary for you to work. Click the links below to know your rights:

·         Vehicle Purchase, Repairs, and Modifications ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Tfb597813-b3ac-432b-9de7-966186776b9b/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2KDVbwqK$>

·         Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Tea68e4c4-bff3-4ce9-ab49-319d8c5183b2/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2GXBXyiy$>

·         ODE Special Education Parent Survey Listening Sessions: Join Central Oregon Disability Support Network and FACT Oregon as they co-host the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to hear from families like yours. Feedback from every county in Oregon is needed on the parent survey — specifically on its materials, how it’s shared, and the response rate among families. Your input will help make future surveys better and more inclusive. Pick one day below that works for you and register to attend online:

·         Tuesday, September 23, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Register at tinyurl.com/mvkc9sea ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T5d1dbd25-c1cf-4ccd-942e-23bf89fe168b/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2DOZcjbR$>

·         Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Register at tinyurl.com/ute3vecp ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T95dd7b88-1643-4494-aca8-ff2ed3ee4716/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2FQ3UC3G$>

·         Healthcare Accessibility Survey: Are you an adult with a disability living in Oregon? We want to hear your stories about getting healthcare such as primary care, gynecology, or hospital services. Your experiences will help us identify common barriers and guide our efforts to improve care for people with disabilities statewide. Take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/LRDMH2G ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T7f810baf-5d88-4ae1-ace1-0ff26080db08/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2B6hgP6N$>

·         Build Better Crisis Response for Portland: Your lived experience and advocacy expertise can help ensure law enforcement responses to people experiencing mental health crises are compassionate, effective, and rights focused. Portland’s Behavioral Health Unit Advisory Committee (BHUAC) reviews policies, trainings, and response strategies that directly impact our community's safety and wellbeing. Attend a quarterly Community Engagement Meeting to share your perspective and learn more about committee members and their work. There will be time for questions, and ASL interpretation will be provided.

·         Next meeting: October 9, 2025
Attend online: tinyurl.com/2v8rjh97 ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T94e85c21-927b-4ea9-a962-55df2ef994e6/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2EL8qEnx$>

🗞️ In the News

Our work to protect and defend your rights made the news recently, but you may have missed a headline or two. Click a link below to see what your support made possible:
·         We settled our lawsuit<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T66d6e00b-8d73-462e-a0c1-65ed3b07f3cf/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2M09PYhF$> to stop the City of Grants Pass from forcing homeless residents with disabilities to live in life-threatening conditions. Now the city must provide 150 accessible camping spaces, honor ADA accommodations, and more.
Read the Oregon Capital Chronicle story ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Tf331bd40-0d3e-43c4-aaee-cb5f6c22c556/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2LdTAEaI$>

·         On “NeuroEmergent,” a new podcast focused on neurodiversity, Deputy Legal Director Tom Stenson discussed our class-action lawsuit to stop Oregon from denying students with disabilities full days at school.
Listen to the KBOO interview (starts at 1:06) ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T9f498440-638a-444a-89ff-06358bc27d6b/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2C0C09zk$>

·         CEO Jake Cornett was interviewed by Public News Service about federal budget cuts threatening special education in Oregon and how state legislators missed opportunities to increase support for high-need students during the 2025 session.
Read or listen to the interview ><https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Tc38b7015-c891-4fb8-958f-0eec788613df/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2Kcf3jJD$>

Thank you for staying connected with us, for sharing your priorities and ideas, and for being an important part of the disability rights movement. Our fight continues together, and every person who joins us carries on the work that began 52 years ago.

Sincerely,

Jake Cornett
Executive Director and CEO
Disability Rights Oregon
[jake Cornett]

Donate Today<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Tac7b5654-850a-4aaf-a14c-c43693441234/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2L410TXF$>

P.S. Do you have ideas for our community’s next big action to fight growing threats? Please share them with us and ask others to do the same! <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/T5f93a777-cae4-4eb8-a31f-45ce53d452d8/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2M0ZuP4i$>

Disability Rights Oregon
511 SW 10th Avenue #200
Portland, Oregon 97205
503-243-2081

droregon.org<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/default.salsalabs.org/Te2d0a27d-650a-47b4-a7c6-d75de3fd635d/6a0ed977-5dd8-4ada-a810-9e5b0f874207__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2KaL08Hb$>
[https://disabilityrightsoregon.salsalabs.org/public/images/icons/medium-black_facebook2.png]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.facebook.com/Disability.Rights.Oregon/__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2O1lw4dp$>
[https://disabilityrightsoregon.salsalabs.org/public/images/icons/medium-black_twitter2.png]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=DisabilityRtsOR__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2DUXqxto$>
[https://disabilityrightsoregon.salsalabs.org/public/images/icons/medium-black_instagram.png]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.instagram.com/disability.rights.oregon/__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2LeW82aD$>
[https://disabilityrightsoregon.salsalabs.org/public/images/icons/medium-black_youtube3.png]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.youtube.com/channel/UCqN_aO2xrQH0x4MerVRl09A/videos?sub_confirmation=1__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2PAxjoqy$>
[https://disabilityrightsoregon.salsalabs.org/public/images/icons/medium-black_linkedin.png]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.linkedin.com/company/disability-rights-oregon__;!!C5qS4YX3!Az7Hz0_dOW5-4X79ro2CUDGd7MCa12cKzSbbzzPJ7QCkTub8JSbaShvPVw0IoPhkzL9mHCeF2DUsLu_E$>

© 2025 Disability Rights Oregon

Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences

---------
This message was forwarded to the uodsp list by
Heidi von Ravensberg, JD, MBA (she/her) | UODSP List Master | hvr at uoregon.edu<mailto:hvr at uoregon.edu>
To post a message to the list, send your email to: uodsp at lists.uoregon.edu<mailto:uodsp at lists.uoregon.edu>
To subscribe/unsubscribe:  visit: https://lists.uoregon.edu/mailman/listinfo/uodsp <https://lists.uoregon.edu/mailman/listinfo/uodsp%20%20>

NOTICE:  Any replies sent to this list are being sent to ALL members of this list.  If you prefer to reply directly to the sender, you must instead select "forward" or create a new email addressed directly to that person, not to the listserv.

Tip: When sending listserv messages, include your email signature. List subscribers may use that information to reach you with individual messages by forwarding listserv message to your personal email address.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.uoregon.edu/pipermail/uodsp/attachments/20250918/7c9008b0/attachment-0001.html>