Independent Living Resources

Monthly News & Updates

July 3, 2025 | Issue 6

Since 1957 Independent Living Resources has been creating opportunities, encouraging choices, advancing equal access and furthering the level of independence for all people with disabilities through our commitment to the Independent Living Movement.

an image of a judges gavel sitting on a desk with a blurred image of a woman sitting in a wheelchair

Advocating for Disability Rights

ILR is committed to advocating for our consumers and the disability community by embodying the Independent Living Movement. As the rights of individuals are being challenged in the courts, we have an opportunity to directly advocate for ourselves and each other

You can act by contacting your legislator to tell your story!

Contact your representatives NOW!

OREGON ADVOCACY AND HELP LINES

Click the links below to access advocacy information and hate reporting lines.

Find your Legislator call or write to share your experience and what you want to see them advocate for.

Department of Justice information about Oregon as a sanctuary state and links to call the hotline or report potential violations via the website

Oregon Department of Justice hotline and messaging to report non-emergency bias for protected classes

"Social Justice and Community Resilience"

Oregon.gov page dedicated to listing other reporting hotlines such as APANO, Q Center, and racial equity support line

a green background with a thought bubble and the words upcoming in black and events in red

ILR's Upcoming Events

American's With Disabilities 35th Anniversary Celebration

SAVE THE DATE!

Tuesday July 29, 2025

11 am to 2 pm

Independent Living Resources

35th Anniversary of the ADA celebration at ILR is happening July 29, 2025. There will be music, vendors, food, games, prizes, raffles, Q&A session with special guest Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, MD, and more!

Save the date and join us for an epic celebration of disability rights!

Event Registration

Rent Well Upcoming Course:

Looking to increase your readiness to rent a home? Join Jessica at our next Rent Well course! Recruiting now.

Next Course: August/September

Rent Well FAQ

July is Disability Pride Month a black background with green blue white yellow and red striped ribbon looping on the left and extending across the bottom of the image the words in green blue red and yellow read July is Disability Pride Month

"We Belong Here and We're Here to Stay"

July is National Disability Pride Month and the 2025 theme is "We Belong Here and We're Here to Stay". A reminder that disability has a place in all aspects of life.

It has been 35 years since George H.W. Bush signed into the law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Though we still have a long way to go in advocating for disability rights, the signing of the ADA was a great success for disabled individuals and we are excited to celebrate it.

ILR is hosting our Annual ADA Celebration Day on July 29 from 11 am - 2 pm. The event is free to the public and will include music by DJ Herbert Williams, food, games, raffle prizes, community partner tables, and Q&A with special guest Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, MD from 1-2 pm.

Join us for a joyful, impactful celebration where you can dance, discover resources, and connect with a vibrant community.

Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come—and look ahead to a more inclusive future.

Special Thank you to our Community Partners:

Dungarvin
Trellis
ABLE Oregon
Youth Progress Association
Goodwill Industries
Upstream Access
The ARC of Oregon
ASNW
SHIP Medicare Help
Multnomah County Elections
Washington County Public Health
Clackamas County Public Health
DART
Portland Police Bureau
PCC AEDR
Office of Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, MD

Blocks on left of image T B I to the right is a plastic replica of a brain

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group

The hallmark of ILR's commitment to creating an inclusive space to further independence for all individuals with disabilities is our Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) support group.

The longest running group at ILR, led by IL specialist and licensed psychologist Ryan Skelton, PsyD, this group provides consumers with TBI's a space to come together and talk about all things TBI. It is a place to connect with other individuals who experience brain injury and share stories, support each other, provide resources, and share in frustrations.

Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge to every group through research on consumer driven topics and data regarding head injury, stroke, and brain damage. The group hosts outside presenters who work with the TBI community like music therapists, yoga, and more.

The group is available to consumers only so becoming an active consumer through an intake is required. It runs every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 1-3 pm and is open for in-person or virtual participation.

Ryan Skelton, PsyD

ILR Now Offering Housing Connector Services

Teal and green x on the left with the words housing connector in grey

Independent Living Resources has teamed up with Housing Connector Hub to continue to aid consumers in finding affordable housing services in the Portland Metro.

The Community Hub is a platform that shows over 400 units in Multnomah County that have reduced their screening criteria. Each Housing Connector unit is insured by financial property protections and Housing Connector’s Stability Team.

For more information contact Nikki Dolan at nikkid@ilr.org or 503-232-7411 x332

Community Partner Announcements

TriMet Aira Pilot Program

TriMet is looking for blind and low vision pilot participants for a Aira Pilot project. Aira is a video assistance service that can help with wayfinding and increasing access to TriMet services. Aira provides live professional agents that are trained visual interpreters. By joining the pilot, riders will be giving TriMet useful feedback about how riders use the service while using bus & MAX.

Information about the pilot:

The pilot will start soon, and last for 2 years.
This pilot is specifically for those that identify as blind and low vision.
Participants will have access to Aira for TriMet trip planning, navigating stops and platforms and while traveling at no cost.
Participants will can also get access to no cost TriMet fixed route passes loaded onto their hop cards for the duration of the service starting in August until the end of the pilot.
During the pilot, participants will be engaged in surveys as they try the Aira service.

If you are interested, please reach out to FerrisN@TriMet.org

35th Anniversary ADA Celebration Webinar Series

Throughout July, the Oregon Disabilities Commission, Northwest ADA Center and Disability Rights Oregon are hosting a weekly free webinar series to recognize and celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Webinars are held online, every Tuesday in July from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 8: “Striving for educational access and equity for students with disabilities” – will feature panelists sharing their lived struggles and successes within Oregon’s K-12 and higher education system and will provide information and resources on how to navigate education settings with a disability.
July 15: “Working towards equal access employment for people with disabilities” will cover how to navigate and understand employment options for people with disabilities.
July 22: “Squirmy and Grubs” with guest presenters Hannah and Shane Burcaw—relationship vloggers changing the way society understands disability.
July 29: “Oregon's journey to accessibility: removing barriers” will highlight how the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA changed disability policy and services in Oregon.

ASL, CART (captioning), and Spanish Language Access will be provided.

For any other accommodations or languages, email OregonDisabilities.Commission@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

All are invited to attend virtually via zoom by clicking the registration link below!

Registration link

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