How to Request Help: FAQs

What intake services do you provide Oregonians with disabilities?

Disability Rights Oregon has attorneys, advocates, and law student interns who provide intake and technical assistance to hundreds of individuals with disabilities or their advocates at no cost.

Intake services include:

  • General information about legal rights

  • Strategies about how to become a stronger self-advocate

  • Community education and training

  • Know Your Rights information on a wide range of subjects that can empower individuals with disabilities to better advocate for themselves

I need disability-related legal help. How can I reach Disability Rights Oregon?

You can request disability-related legal help from Disability Rights Oregon in three ways:

Call Us

Our number is:

(503) 243-2081 or 1 (800) 452-1694 between the hours listed below

Write Us a Letter

Our address is:

Disability Rights Oregon
511 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 200
Portland, Oregon 97205

Send Us a Request

Complete our intake request form.

I get Social Security disability benefits. How will work affect my benefits?

  • The Disability Rights Oregon Plan for Work team can provide information about work incentives to help you make informed decisions about work

  • You can call the Plan for Work Program at (503) 323-9159 or 1 (833) 438-7308

  • For general questions about benefits planning, work incentives, and the Ticket to Work program, please call the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1 (866) 968-7842

I am in an institution where my phone calls are not confidential, such as a jail or prison. How can I reach Disability Rights Oregon?

If you are in an institution where your phone calls are not confidential (such as jail or prison), you can write to us.

Write Us a Letter

Our address is:

Disability Rights Oregon
511 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 200
Portland, Oregon 97205

When I call for disability-related legal assistance, what happens next?

  • You can call to schedule an appointment during our business hours

  • Our front desk staff will ask for your name, your phone number, and the general nature of your concern

  • They will schedule a phone appointment time with an advocate that will be the most helpful with your concern

Will you schedule an intake appointment regardless of my question?

  • No. Given our limited funding and need to serve the entire state, we reserve intake appointments for only those issues that we can provide you with assistance

  • A list of what services we do and don’t provide can be found below and on our Get Help page.

  • In urgent, time-sensitive situations, you may be transferred directly to an advocate on staff if they are available

What happens if I miss my telephone appointment?

  • A Disability Rights Oregon advocate will make two attempts to call you

  • If you miss your appointment, you’ll have to call back and make a new appointment

Can I leave a Disability Rights Oregon voicemail with my information and concerns?

  • No, Disability Rights Oregon is not able to respond to voicemail messages requesting services

  • Please call us back during our business hours listed below

  • Our front desk staff will determine if we are able to assist you and may make you an appointment with an advocate

Can Disability Rights Oregon provide emergency response if I am in crisis?

  • No, Disability Rights Oregon cannot provide an emergency response. Disability Rights Oregon is not equipped to provide emergency or crisis response

  • If you have an emergency, you should contact 911, law enforcement, your county crisis line, or Adult Protective Services

What happens during my telephone intake appointment?

  • You should expect to receive general information related to your concern and self-advocacy suggestions

  • Intake staff cannot provide legal advice

  • After your appointment, you will receive an email or letter that summarizes the information and suggestions

  • If you have further questions, you may make another appointment. Most callers will not be assigned to an attorney for legal representation

Does my intake appointment mean that I am getting an attorney and that Disability Rights Oregon is representing me?

  • No, most callers will not be assigned to an attorney for legal representation

Will Disability Rights Oregon make accommodation for me?

  • Disability Rights Oregon will provide accommodations in order to meet callers’ needs, such as a language interpreter, written communication, video relay or TTY, large print, or other accommodations upon request

Disability Rights Oregon cannot help with the following issues, even if they are related to a disability:

  • Housing issues, including tenant concerns

  • Individual special education advocacy 

  • Applying for or appealing denial of Social Security disability benefits

  • Criminal law

  • Family law

  • Becoming the guardian of a person with a disability

  • Help finding employment, housing or financial assistance

  • Out-of-state issues

  • Workers’ compensation

  • Medical malpractice & personal injury

  • Consumer or bankruptcy issues

  • Any issue or problem not directly related to your disability

  • Anything that is not the wish of the person with the disability

  • Any issue for a person who already has an attorney working on the same issue

Where else can I get help?