General, National, Key Resources:

• Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice: 202-514-4609

• Civil Rights Division, Complaint Line: 888-736-5551 or 202-514-3847

• Civil Rights Title VI Hotline, Department of Justice: 1-888-848-5306

• ADA Information Line (national): 800-514-0301

• Access Board: 800-872-2253 or 202-272-0080

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, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology.

• NW ADA Center: 800-949-4232 or 425-233-8913

Part of a National Network, the NW ADA Center provides information, training, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act to businesses, local governments, and people with disabilities in Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, & Washington

• Civil Rights Division, Bureau of Labor and Industry, State of Oregon: Technical Assistance: 971-673-0764, PDX line 971-673-0764

Primary investigating and complaint agency for the state. Division intakes and investigates civil rights (of all protected classes – race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) – in employment, housing, and public accommodation: restaurants, & shopping centers, hotels, etc. for the state including those that happen within city boundaries. They also accept complaints against the City of Portland.

• Oregon Aging and Disability Resource Center: State, 1-855-ORE-ADRC (673-2372); Multnomah County, 503-988-3646

City of Portland (as an organization):

• All Employment related questions, concerns, complaints, accommodations (includes the application and hiring process): Human Resources 503-823-3572

• Portland Police Discrimination Concerns: Independent Police Review 503-823-0146

• Other types of discrimination (i.e. sex, age, religion, sexual orientation): HR Diversity, Outreach & Employment Resources Office 503-823-3507 [interim] or 503-823-3572 

From HR 2.02, “A non-City employee such as an applicant, a member of the public or a contractor may contact the specific bureau where the alleged harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other inappropriate conduct occurred or file a complaint with the Diversity, Outreach and Employment Resources Office”

• Disability resources or Disability/general ADA Information & Referral: ONI Disability Program, 503-823-9970. 

Designed to act as an information and referral for the public. This covers I&R for all ADA, disability resources, requests and complaints outside City of Portland provided (to the public) policies, practices, programs, services, and activities. [not only does our program focus on Title II (government provided public services) but we only deal with the City of Portland – we do not have any authority, provide advice to the public regarding other jurisdictions – or for all things within the boundaries of the City of Portland geography]

• General Complaints about City Services & Practices: Ombudsman, 503-823-0144 

The Ombudsman is an independent advocate for a fair, reasonable and just City government. Our office responds to members of the public, businesses and City employees to resolve complaints about City services and practices. We conduct impartial investigations and resolve problems informally. We have the authority to recommend remedial action or a change in policy.

• Questions about building standards and codes (for non-city of Portland owned or occupied buildings): Resources Counter at the Development Services Center 503-823-7660 [or just BDS 503-823-7300] or the State of Oregon Building Codes Division 503-378-4133

• City of Portland Code Enforcement/Code Violations: BDS Compliance Services, 503-823-CODE (2633)

• General City of Portland Questions: ONI Information & Referral 503-823-4000

All requests for access (accommodations, language services, etc.) should be made directly to those overseeing that specific program, service, or activity (or the bureau). For a general bureau directory call City County Information 501-823-4000

City Bureau Leads: Questions about specific programs, services & activities can be directed to the bureau leads (for example, questions about overall Portlandoregon.gov accessibility can be directed to Rick Nixon, the ADA Lead for BTS, the responsible bureau for the website)

Refer appropriate calls to:

• Civil Rights Title VI: Danielle Brooks, 503-823-2595

• ADA Title II: Nickole Cheron, 503-823-4938

• Language Access: Tatiana Elejalde, 503-823-4432

• City Bureau Leads: 

• ADA Title II: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oehr/66525?a=454403 

• Civil Rights Title VI: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oehr/67053 

NOTE: Office of Equity and Human Rights Civil Rights program does not:

• Cover nondiscrimination based on other protected classes

• Handle hiring and employment related issues

• Have responsibility for ADA Title II or Civil Rights Title VI related work or concerns of other government entities

• Handle all nondiscrimination issues for the geographic region (only City of Portland provided services). For example, we do not investigate claims of discrimination for a hotel located in the city boundaries. 

• Serve as an information and referral center for businesses or for community members interested in related topics (for example, a business looking for review or resources on the application of accessibility standards to non-city buildings or a community member with a disability looking for information on social services &/or disability benefits). 

• Handle PPB discrimination complaints. As indicated below, those complaints are managed by IPR in the Auditor’s Office

• Offer general legal advice

• Handle cases of Title VI and Title II for sub-recipients (if a business or organization receives funding from the City of Portland or carries out City business) 

When Title VI or Title II Managers are out of the office:

• Bureau Leads if related to a bureau specific issue 

• ADA Title II: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oehr/66525?a=454403 

• Civil Rights Title VI: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oehr/67053 

• Director Markisha Smith: 503-823-4433

Oregon Complaints of Discrimination (housing, employment, public accommodation):

• Civil Rights Division, Bureau of Labor and Industry, State of Oregon: Technical Assistance: 971-673-0764, PDX line 971-673-0764

Primary investigating and complaint agency for the state. Division intakes and investigates civil rights (of all protected classes – race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) – in employment, housing, and public accommodation: restaurants, & shopping centers, hotels, etc. for the state including those that happen within city boundaries. They also accept complaints against the City of Portland.

Housing Discrimination & Information:

• HUD Fair Housing Hub Information line for the Regional Office, 206-220-5170 or 800-877-0246

• Fair Housing Council of Oregon, 503-223-8197 Ext.2 or 800-424-3247 Ext.2

• Home Forward, 503-280-3742

• BOLI Civil Rights Division also looks into housing discrimination

• City of Portland Fair Housing Program Questions: Kim McCarty, PHB 503-823-5312

Building Codes, Accessible Design Standards, etc.:

• Resources Counter at the Development Services Center, BDS: 503-823-7660 [or just BDS 503-823-7300]

• City of Portland Code Enforcement/Code Violations: BDS Compliance Services, 503-823-CODE (2633)

• State of Oregon Building Codes Division: 503-378-4133

• ADA Information Line (national): 800-514-0301

Access Board: 800-872-2253 or 202-272-0080

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, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology.

NW ADA Center: 800-949-4232 or 425-233-8913

Part of a National Network, the NW ADA Center provides information, training, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act to businesses, local governments, and people with disabilities in Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, & Washington

Local/State Jurisdictions:

TriMet:

• Civil Rights Complaints; 503-962-3453 (FILE)

• General: 503-238-RIDE (7433) 

• (all public transit related items except Portland Streetcar and the OHSU tram)

Multnomah County:

• County’s Civil Rights Administrator: Office of Equity, 503-988-4201

• Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Helpline: 503-988-3646

• General: 503-823-4000

City of Gresham:

• ADA Title II Coordinator: Toby Hazelbaker, 503-618-2322

• Civil Rights Title VI: Joe Walsh, 503-618-2372

• General: 503-661-3000

City of Beaverton:

• ADA Coordinator: 503-526-2200

• Civil Rights Title VI: Alexis Ball 503-526-2503

• General: 503-526-2222

Questions, concerns, etc. should try to be directed to the appropriate authority – try to refer back to the business or organization itself, or look to the appropriate state or federal agency. Example: Transit related matters could either go to Trimet, potentially the City of Portland for Streetcar and the OHSU Tram, potentially Metro for regional planning concerns, the Oregon Department of Transportation, or the Federal Transit Administration.

A few additional resources:

We get a lot of requests for technical assistance and information for people with disabilities – I recommend referring to NW Access Center or ONI Disability Program, otherwise, can refer to:

• Disability Rights Oregon: 503-243-2081 or 800-452-1694

• Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) is Oregon’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) System. DRO works to uphold the legal rights of people with disabilities. DRO promotes Opportunity, Access and Choice for individuals with disabilities. We assist with legal problems directly related to disabilities.

Independent Living Resources: 503-232-7411

To promote the philosophy of Independent Living by creating opportunities, encouraging choices, advancing equal access, and furthering the level of independence for all people with disabilities

Job Accommodation Network: 800-526-7234

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.

 
Quick Guide (first referral):