Below are resources to learn more about federal disability laws as well as other helpful agencies.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA & ADAAA)

Title I: Employment

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Provides information, enforcement and guidance on the Title I (Employment) of the ADA for employers and employees/applicants.

U.S. Department of Labor - The Department of Labor has several agencies that can help people with disabilities find meaningful work and launch successful careers, help employers hire people with disabilities, and help federal contractors stay within the law when hiring.

Federal Employment of People with Disabilities - The Federal Government is actively recruiting and hiring persons with disabilities. We offer a variety of exciting jobs, competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and opportunities for career advancement.

Job Accommodation Network - The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.

Title II: State & Local Government Services & Title III: Places of Public Accommodations & Commercial Facilities (Including the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design)

U.S. Department of Justice ADA Home Page - Provides technical assistance, educational materials, and enforcement activities on the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II (State & Local Government Services), Title III (Public Accommodations & Commercial Facilities), and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Northwest ADA Center - The ADA National Network Centers are a national platform of ten centers comprised of ADA professionals and experts charged with assisting businesses, state and local governments, and people with disabilities as they manage the process of changing our culture to be user friendly to disability and the effect the variety of health conditions can have on society.

Title II: Public Transportation (other than by aircraft or certain rail operations)

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Office for Civil Rights - responsible for ensuring public transit providers comply with all nondiscrimination requirements. The office oversees the implementation of laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and age in the provision of services to the public. The office provides technical assistance and training and conducts complaint investigations and onsite compliance reviews to ensure public transit providers fulfill civil rights requirements.

Title III: Places of Public Accommodations & Commercial Facilities (Including the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design)

U.S. Department of Justice ADA Home Page - provides technical assistance, educational materials, and enforcement activities on the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II (State & Local Government Services), Title III (Public Accommodations & Commercial Facilities), and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Title IV: Telecommunications Relay Services

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Disability Rights Office - addresses disability-related matters, including access to telecommunications services and equipment; hearing aid compatibility; access to advanced communications services and equipment; access to Internet browsers built into mobile phones; telecommunications relay services; the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program; accessible video programming and video programming apparatus (access to televised emergency information, closed captioning on television and television programs on the Internet, video description, and accessible user interfaces, text menus, and program guides).

Air Carriers Access Act

U.S. Department of Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection Division - prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel.   The Department of Transportation has a rule defining the rights of passengers and the obligations of airlines under this law. This rule applies to all flights of U.S. airlines, and to flights to or from the United States by foreign airlines.

Fair Housing Act

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity (FHEO) - goal is to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities by leading the nation in the enforcement, administration, development, and public understanding of federal fair housing policies and laws.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Center for Parent Information and Resources - funded by U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs to serve as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and the Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), so that they can focus their efforts on serving families of children with disabilities.

Other federal agencies focusing on disability

National Council on Disability - An independent federal agency committed to disability policy leadership since 1978.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - provides free braille and audio materials to eligible borrowers.

U.S. Access Board - The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, public rights-of-way, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology.

Oregon State Resources

OR Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) - The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.

OR Department of Human Services (OR DHS) - Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities - Contact Deschutes County Human Services 1-541-322-7554.

OR Building Code Division (OR BCD) - Chapter 11 of the 2014 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) controls the design and construction of facilities for accessibility to physically disabled persons and references appropriate ORS' and related codes, such as ICC A117.1-2009 Accessible and Usable Building and Facilities.  Contact toll-free 1-800-442-7457.

Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) - The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) is a statewide civil rights organization whose mission is to eliminate housing discrimination through access to enforcement and education. We are a nonprofit corporation, not a governmental agency.

Oregon Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Program (ODHHS) - The Oregon Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (ODHHS) program is here to provide interpreters for clients that are members of the deaf, deaf-blind, or hard-of-hearing communities.  Contact (503) 223-8197.

Oregon Commission for the Blind - Expanding opportunities for Oregonians with Vision Loss.  Contact toll free 1-888-202-5463.

Access Technologies, Inc. - Oregon's Assistive Technology Program operates:

• iCanConnect - Oregon, program that provides equipment and training to pope with significant combined hearing and vision loss so they can stay connected to friends and family. 
• Explore Technology - Demonstration & Lending Library - evaluate assistive technology before you invest time, money and energy on a device that doesn't meet your needs.
• Obtain Technology - provides information about alternative assistive technology finance solutions.
• Assessments and Trainings - provides assessments and trainings to help you gain or maintain independence at home, work, school, or in your community.

Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN) - website for local, state, and federal agency partners in Central Oregon to provide the public easy and quick access to joint emergency updates and preparedness/hazard information.  Information provided consisted on preparedness and updates on 2017 Solar Eclipse, fires, weather related emergencies, etc.  Provides links to emergency alert programs and various agencies with emergency information.

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) - Get Connected to local information and services for seniors and people with disabilities. Contact toll free: 1-855-673-2372. 

Council on Aging of Central Oregon  - seeks to meet immediate needs for seniors while encouraging a maximum amount of self-help and independence. Our mission is to promote dignity, well-being, security and independence for Central Oregon seniors and disabled adults.