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'Community has the power'
As the City's disability equity manager at the Office of Equity and Human Rights, Nickole Cheron brings her lived experience to the job. She has created tools that empower people who have disability – so they can better access city programs, services and events and make their voices heard.
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If you have a disability and you need help accessing a city program or service, you can send a request to the City. But what would it look like if people didn’t have to wait for government to help them? What if they could navigate the city environment freely? Disability Equity Manager Nickole Cheron helps make the city more accessible.
What drew you to this work? I went to film school and was accepted into Columbia for a graduate degree. But I had to pass on the opportunity – when I visited the campus, it was not accessible for me. So I decided to go to school in Miami. But then I learned that I couldn’t get the disability benefits I needed in Florida. So I couldn't afford to pay for school and for caregivers. And so that couldn't happen.
I got quite depressed. I was back living at my mom's home. So, I was really down. And then I got really mad and I decided, you know what? Screw this. I'm going to work in government, and I'm going to make it better for people with disabilities. And I did. I moved out to Oregon to go to Portland State University and I got an MBA and a master’s in conflict resolution. I did an internship in Mayor Katz's office. Someone told me about a job at the City doing disability work. I applied for that job and I got it.
What do you bring to your job?
I am a member of the disability community here in Portland, and I experience barriers every day, navigating our city. And, you know, good governance happens when your staff represents the community you're serving. I bring that perspective back to the city and say, hey, you know, we can do better.
What do people with disability need to know about what the City is doing?
We do a Disability Equity and Engagement Survey every two years. There’s data from 4,000 people. We see that people in North Portland use their wheelchairs in the road instead of the sidewalk because of sidewalk conditions. It helps us understand what the community's barriers are. So please take our survey. That data really helps City decision makers prioritize the needs of the disability community. And reach out to the three city councilors that represent your district! That is truly where community has the power and they have a voice.
How can the average person help? There's all this stigma still about understanding what disability is. People try to use other words than the word disability. I always have to say, it's OK, you can say disabled. Those of us who are from this community, we don't think it’s a bad word. You don’t have to say otherly-abled or the differently-abled. Also, the activists that came before the ADA fought really hard to have person-first language. In other words, we are people who happen to have disabilities. We don’t think our disabilities or the word disabled is a bad thing...
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lot near Union Station.
Day centers offer critical amenities such as restrooms and showers, as well as access to housing, health, and employment services. With these new partnerships, Portland is advancing a holistic approach that complements the City’s overnight emergency shelter system and expands pathways to stability for people experiencing homelessness.
Portland Parks & Recreation invites you to celebrate the grand reopening of Berrydale Park in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood on Friday, August 8, from 3 - 6 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone.
Mayor Wilson and Governor Kotek affirm their strong support for keeping the Portland Trail Blazers in the city. Read their letter to National Basketball League Commissioner Adam Silver.
The latest updates from the Future of Keller team include the completion of an initial transportation study, the kick-off of a market feasibility study, early planning for a steering committee, and more.
A new report from the Portland Housing Bureau shows that housing affordability remains a major challenge for Portlanders, with rents and home sale prices continuing to rise faster than incomes. And while income has increased overall, disparities persist by housing tenure and race/ethnicity.
An international delegation of digital rights activists, technologists, and policymakers recently met with City of Portland staff in Smart City PDX. The 14 visitors from over a dozen countries were participating in the WorldOregon International Visitor Leadership Program. City staff shared local efforts on responsible data governance and equity-centered tech policy.
The Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, on the MAX Blue and Red lines, will close Aug. 24. This permanent closure will speed up trains along 1st Avenue, saving riders time. Riders can use nearby Old Town/Chinatown and Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX stations instead. Learn more: trimet.org/maxdowntown
People in the headlines
Newsletter Spotlight
This monthly newsletter provides updates on the City's new police Oversight System, so readers have the opportunity to stay informed and actively engaged in our efforts to center community concerns in police reform.
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This class focuses on specific safety concerns of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. We welcome all Portlanders. Classes are free and offered August 14, 21, and 28 from 6-9:15 p.m. Registration is required.
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This is mandatory training for Portlanders running for Mayor, Auditor, or Council who wish to participate in the matching program. Those considering running or considering participating are welcome and encouraged to join. Confidential one-on-one trainings are available.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
- Botanic Technician II - Vegetation Management
- Community Health Assess & Treat Paramedic (Community Health Paramedic) - Limited Duration
- Facility Construction Project Manager III (Capital Project Manager III)
- Investigative Crime Analyst - Limited Duration
- Placemaking Project Manager (Analyst II - CPPW) - Limited Duration
- Portland Police Bureau Administrative Supervisor (Supervisor I - E)
- Storekeeper/Acquisition II: Auto Part Specialty - Limited Duration
- Utility Worker I – CL
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Grants and funding
The Office of Arts & Culture is excited to announce that MusicOregon’s Echo Fund is open for submissions through September 5, 2025. The Echo Fund empowers creative musical excellence and professional development by supporting independent, working musicians with funding for creative, non-performance projects that support new growth and spur creative and career development.
The Office of Arts & Culture is excited to announce that Friends of IFCC’s Artist Grant & Residency Program is open for submissions through September 12, 2025. The IFCC Artist & Residency Program provides artists with dedicated funding, studio space, and yearlong opportunities for collaboration and professional development. In fiscal year 2025-26, Friends of IFCC will offer grants and residency opportunities to support projects and programming for artists working at any level and in various disciplines. This program is part of a larger community-driven effort to revitalize the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC).
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We'll discuss the current status of the program, plans for the future, and gather community insight on the growth of this vital city program.
Project staff have released a Proposed Draft for zoning changes to increase opportunities for affordable housing in Portland. The public is invited to submit written or verbal testimony to the Planning Commission.
In October 2024, City Council approved three new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts in the Central City: Central Eastside Corridor, Lloyd-Holladay, and Westside. If you live, work, visit, or play in one of these TIF districts, we want to hear your perspective! Please complete this survey by Sunday, August 17.
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Give us your feedback
Administrative Rule review notices
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Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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This August, the outdoor summer concert series PDX Live returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland for a fourth consecutive year. Featuring performances from Waxahatchee, Ben Harper, Jamie XX, The Roots and more!
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Featured events
Through August 21: PDX Live - Concerts at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Free events
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Community events in Portland parks
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer events, check the volunteer event filter.
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Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible. |
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Your Portland moment
Take charge of your own journey
Are you curious about fixing your own bike? Want to learn firsthand how to fix a flat tire? Join Portland Bureau of Transportation's Portland By Cycle team for a free Basic Bike Maintenance Workshop at the Midland Library on Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Bring your bike with you to get some hands-on practice
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How're we doing?
How well do you like Rose City Connection? How could we make it better? Take our reader survey and give us some feedback.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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