Disability NEWS – January 16, 2019

The January 16th Disability NEWS features a survey for feedback on public engagement, orientation to be an ambassador for the Residential Facilities Ombudsman, Portland 2.0 Kickoff Event, and other information/news for Portland’s disabilities community.

Disability NEWS – January 16, 2019 (e-pub format)

The January 16th Disability NEWS e-publication features a survey for feedback on public engagement, orientation to be an ambassador for the Residential Facilities Ombudsman, Portland 2.0 Kickoff Event, and more information/news to read on digital devices.

Deadline is March 24 for Heart of Change Awards, award ceremony on May 12th

Multnomah County delivers library materials through its Words on Wheels program

Visit Disability Program Facebook page for news, event postings

Disability NEWS returns to provide information for disability community

The Disability NEWS is returning to its semimonthly publishing schedule to provide news and information to Portland’s disability community. Readers may expect to find informative articles about meetings, events, workshops, services and resources. Future feature articles will expand the coverage into human interests, new accessibility developments, new services and other topics.

Submissions from the community are welcomed to help continue the broader outreach of information. Events, trainings, workshops, services and resources are just some of the topics that subscribers have expressed interest in reading. It is suggested to provide the information at least a month in advance to allow ample time to be published and read by the subscribers. Links to further information and even contact details are important to include. Submissions and subscription requests should be sent to disabilitynews@portlandoregon.gov.

Emergency Preparedness Training for PWD now on the web

Emergencies and disasters happen quickly and without warning, forcing people to evacuate or take shelter in their home. This is challenging for anyone but, for a person with a disability, it can a matter of life and death. Learning how to be prepared for an emergency is critical and the City’s Disability Program has information, including videos, on its website (http://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/66305).

It is important to plan ahead so people are prepared. The program’s video training and booklet giving tips on staying informed, creating a support group, assembling a kit, and having a plan. These tips provide people with disabilities guidance in managing communication, equipment, pets and home hazards. The material is based on the Ready Now training developed in partnership with Oregon Office on Disability Health.

PLEASE NOTE: All Portland Commission on Disabilitymeetings and events are open to the public.More information on PCoD is available at the Office of Equity and Human Rights website. (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oehr/)

Hearing Loss Association of America-Portland meets March 16th

The Hearing Loss Association invites people to attend their monthly meeting on March 16 at 6:30 pm to discuss topics of interest to the hearing loss community in Portland. The association is a support group for anyone who is hard of hearing. The meetings are accessible by the use of an amplification-loop assistive system accessed by a telecoil inside a hearing aid or by a cochlear implant. Real-time captioning is also provided during the meeting.

The meeting is at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Wilcox Building, Room 102, on NW 22nd Avenue at Marshall Street. The entrance is up the brick stairway from 22nd Avenue into door under the awning marked "WILCOX." For an accessible entry, go to the north wing of the L-shaped building, then to the door next to the loading dock and the large green dumpster. Then proceed down the hallway from that door to reach an elevator to go to the first floor and reach Room 102. The meetings are on the third Tuesday of every month, September through May.

Empowerment Training 2015 is March 18 for job seekers, vets and PWD

Job seekers, veterans, and students with disabilities are invited to unlock their potential at the Empowerment Training 2015 workshop on March 18 offered by Incight. The event is from 9 am to 2 pm at the United Way Board Room, 619 SW 11th Avenue in Portland.

Information about other workshops and programs conducted by Incight is available on their website (http://incight.org/). Incight a non-profit, 501(c)(3) was founded in 2004 to empower people with disabilities for independence and self-determination to unlock their potential by providing programs and resources in education, employment, networking and independence.

Disabled parking placard holders: Please take PCoD parking survey

On July 14, 2014, new rules went into effect in four Portland neighborhoods for vehicles displaying Disabled Person Parking Placards. The goal of the Portland Commission on Disability (PCoD) survey is to supplement the City’s quantitative data on usage with some qualitative data about the experience of placard users.

Placard holders are invited to complete a short anonymous survey at http://goo.gl/forms/UO0lv1yiOE. PCoD will use the survey results to decide recommendations for any adjustments to the rules. The survey will remain open through the month of March. Please forward the link to other Disabled Person Parking Placard holders.

PCoD is a volunteer citizen advisory committee that provides guidance to the city on issues relating to accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, is interested in your experience with these new rules.

March 24th deadline for Heart of Change Awards, ceremony on May 12

Nominations are now being accepted for the Heart of Change Awards through March 24th. Incight is currently seeking nominations from the community. Nominations are due by March 24, 2015, and can be found at http://incight.org/support/hall-fame-breakfast/heartofchange. More information about the event is available by emailing pia@incight.org or calling Incight at 971-244-0305.

These awards are created to honor someone whose actions and efforts align with Incight’s mission to Unlock the Potential of People with Disabilities. This award belongs to an individual whose work influences community and busts stigma - someone who is causing a positive impact and embodies everything Incight stands for.

In addition to the Hall of Fame Inductees, Incight would like to give the Heart of Change Award to a community member, regardless of their connection to Incight because the organization knows others are creating change!

Incight's 2015 Hall of Fame breakfast will be held on Tuesday, May 12th at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Thanks go to its presenting sponsor, Immix Law Group.

Multco delivers library materials through its Words on Wheels program

Residents of Multnomah County who are unable to go to the library because of a disability or health issue may have library materials delivered to their home for free. Multnomah County Library’s Words on Wheels volunteers will deliver books (including large print), audiobooks, music cds and dvds upon request.

A volunteer selects the materials that meet a person’s interests and needs, then schedules regular delivery and pickup. Delivery is made to adult care homes, retirement facilities, hospices, hospitals and private residences.

For more information about the Words on Wheels program and other delivery options, please call Library Outreach Services at 503-988-5404.

Visit DisabilityProgram Facebook page for news, event postings

The Office of Neighborhood Involvement Disability Program Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CityofPortlandDisabilityProgram) features daily postings ofnews, videos, events and issues of interest to people with disabilities. Visit the program’s Facebook page to read these postings and other information posted daily on disability issues, news and concerns.

The Disability NEWS is created and distributed by the City of Portland’s Disability Program at the Office of Office of Neighborhood Involvement. The Portland Commission on Disability also collaborates and supports its publication.

To update your contact information, if you know someone who would like to receive the newsletter or if you wish to submit information for the newsletter, please email disabilitynews@portlanddisability.com.

Please note: This information may also provided in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF formats. Please use the contact information above to make your request for an alternative format.