The Protection and Advocacy office for Oregon

Disability Rights Oregon Logo

In the Beginning…

LAWYERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

DRO is a Non-Profit Law Firm designated as Oregon’s Protection & Advocacy office. (P&A).

Each state and territory has a P&A funded by the Federal Government.

DRO MISSION

To promote and defend the rights of

individuals with disabilities.

DRO VISION

Disability Rights Oregon has a vision of a Disability Rights Oregon has a vision of a society in which persons with disabilities society in which persons with disabilities

have equality of opportunity, full have equality of opportunity, full participation and the ability to exercise participation and the ability to exercise

meaningful choicemeaningful choice..

DRO SERVICES Advocacy for Oregonians with

disabilities who have legal issues related to their disability.

9 attorneys, 3 intake specialists, 2 advocates, 4 benefits planners, lobbyist and support staff.

Available statewide to more than 600,000 Oregonians with disabilities at no cost to them.

SPECIAL POWERSAccess to

records of: • Clients with

their consent• Those

incapable of providing consent

SPECIAL POWERS Access to facilities

and residents

• To investigate complaints or probable cause to believe that abuse, neglect or rights violation occurred

• Monitoring

CASES DRO TAKESCases are accepted from

about 3200 requests per year based upon:• Priority legal issue• Risk of long-term harm• Positive changes for the

community• Services to minority,

rural and other underserved communities

CASES DRO DOES NOT No reasonable

likelihood of success based on the facts and the law

Lack expertise or resources DRO lacks

No criminal cases No family law matters

STRATEGIES Information and Referral Advice & Self-Help Materials Individual representation Investigation of complaints of abuse or neglect Monitoring of facilities Legal representation that will enforce or change the

law to further program goals Policy advocacy to further program goals Training and Outreach

PRIOITIES

STOPPING ABUSE & NEGLECT Investigating deaths Seclusion &

Restraint Abuse & Neglect

ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY Public Places Housing Decision making Voting.

ACCESSING ADEQUATE HEALTCARE Insurance Assistive Technology Discrimination

ACCESS TO COMMUNITY SUPPORTS Eligibility Olmstead

(Integration)

ACCESS TO FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

Staying in school. Seclusion/Restraint Mainstreaming

SAFETY AND RIGHTS IN INSTITUTIONS Care & treatment Safety & Rights Due Process

SUPPORT OF INDEPENDENCE THROUGH EMPLOYMENT

Job training and supports.

Discrimination

FEDERAL FUNDING Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

(PAIDD, 1975) Vocational Rehabilitation (CAP, 1984) Mental Illness (PAIMI, 1986) Other disabilities (PAIR, 1993) Assistive Technology (PAAT, 1994) Employment (PABSS, 2000) Benefits Planning (WIPA, 2000) Brain Injury (PATBI, 2003) Voting (PAVA, 2003)

TBI PROGRAM

The Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (PL 104-166) directs Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund the 57 P&A programs to provide advocacy support to individuals with TBI and their families.   

The first P&A grants were issued in 2003. DRO receives $50,000 per year.

2012 INDIVIDUAL CASE TYPES(12 CASES, 65 I&R)

SYSTEMIC GOALS FOR 2013 Promote a comprehensive, integrated case

management program for individuals with TBI Monitor and participate in the transformation of the

Oregon Health Plan to an integrated, outcome based approach to ensure the needs of individuals with TBI will be met.

Monitor rulemaking for health care and services to ensure the rights and needs of individuals with TBI area addressed.

Work to develop a plan, in conjunction with our partners, to address the needs of veterans with TBI.

OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS, CHOICE

ThanksBob Joondeph, JDExecutive DirectorDisability Rights Oregon610 SW BroadwayPortland, OR 97205(503) 243-2081www.droregon.org