Americans with Disability Act Anniversary Webinar Series Launches July 8

35 years of civil rights for people with disabilities celebrated with free Lunch and Learn sessions

MEDIA CONTACTS

Oregon Department of Human Services: Adrienne Goins | Adrienne.S.Goins@[email protected] Disability Rights Oregon: Melissa Roy-Hart, (503) 444-0026 | [email protected]

Salem, Oregon-The Oregon Disabilities Commission (ODC), Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Northwest ADA Center, and Disability Rights Oregon will co-host a free Lunch and Learn webinar series in July in recognition and celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The informational series will launch on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

"The ADA didn't just appear in 1990-it emerged from decades of relentless organizing by people with disabilities, their families, and committed allies who refused to accept the status quo," said Melissa Roy-Hart, spokesperson for Disability Rights Oregon."The protections we take for granted today exist because Americans with disabilities demanded their civil rights and wouldn't back down until they got them."

Topics and Dates

The free online series will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesdays throughout July. Members of the public are welcome to participate.

Topics by date are:

• July 8: Striving for Educational Access and Equity for Students with Disabilities (speakers include Suzanne Gall, Special Education COPAA Fellow sponsored by The Oak Foundation)

• July 15: Working Towards Equal Access Employment for People with Disabilities (speakers include Plan for Work Program Manager Emily Ross and an attorney from our Project Independence team)

• July 22: Guest presenters Hannah and Shane Burcaw: Squirmy and Grubs

• July 29: Oregon's Journey to Accessibility: Removing Barriers (speakers include Deputy Legal Director Emily Cooper)

Registration and Accessibility

• Advanced registration is required on Zoom.

• The series will be accessible to people with disabilities and translated into Spanish.

• Captioning and American Sign Language interpretation will also be provided.

• To request accommodations or ask accessibility questions, send an email to [email protected].

• Check the Oregon Department of Human Services ADA event web page for updates.

About

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) helps Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

Oregon Disabilities Commission (ODC) is charged by state statute to advise the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Governor, the Legislative Assembly and appropriate state agency administrators on issues related to achieving the full economic, social, legal and political equity of individuals with disabilities. ODC also acts as a coordinating link between and among public and private organizations serving individuals with disabilities.

Disability Rights Oregon upholds the civil rights of people with disabilities to live, work and engage in the community. Serving as Oregon's federally mandated Protection & Advocacy system since 1977, the nonprofit works to transform systems, policies, and practices to give more people the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Northwest ADA Center assists Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington businesses, state and local governments, and people with disabilities by providing information, training and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.