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Disabled Residents Sue Portland Over Emergency Failures | Portland News
Description
A federal lawsuit targets Portland and Multnomah County for violating the ADA during emergencies, spotlighting how disabled residents were left behind during the 2021 heat wave — when 69 heat-related deaths occurred, disproportionately affecting people with disabilities. The case, backed by Disability Rights Oregon and ACLU, reveals systemic failures: emergency planners lacked ADA expertise, no formal system existed to consult disability experts, and cooling centers were inaccessible. One plaintiff, deaf Philip Wolfe, described a harrowing experience requiring video relay service just to get help — exposing dangerous gaps in disaster response. With wildfire season looming, this legal action demands urgent reform to ensure all communities — especially the most vulnerable — are truly protected.
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