Disability Rights Oregon sues Portland, Multnomah County over lack of emergency planning for people with disabilities

Think Out Loud

Disability Rights Oregon sues Portland, Multnomah County over lack of emergency planning for people with disabilities

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Published on Jul 30, 2026, 12:36:40 PM
Total time: 00:15:21

Episode Description

Disability Rights Oregon filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging that Portland and Multnomah County “fail to protect people with disabilities before, during and after disasters.” It argues that the city and county’s emergency management systems — from alerts and warnings to evacuation assistance and shelter accommodations — are out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

 

For more on the lawsuit, we’re joined by Jake Cornett, the executive director and CEO of Disability Rights Oregon, and Audra Pearson, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

 

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