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Portland Accessible

Accessibility Portland, Oregon US.

Every streetcar is equipped with ramps in the low floor section of the car which makes for easy wheelchair and mobility device boarding. Reader boards and audio announcements indicate the next stop.

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination in any City program, service, or activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or disability. To help ensure access to City programs, services, and activities, the City of Portland reasonably: provides language translation and interpretation for limited English proficiency individuals; modifies policies and procedures; and, provides auxiliary aids, services and/or alternative formats to persons with disabilities.

Key information

Health

The Oregon Health Authority Public Pool and Tourist Facility Program works in partnership with local health departments, the recreation and tourist industry and the public to reduce the risk of waterborne illness and injury at public facilities.Oregon Visitor Insurance, also called Health Insurance for Visitor to OregonMedical Insurance for Visitor in OregonVisitor Insurance Oregon, and Insurance for USA Visitors, are plans that offer insurance coverage for emergency health and medical expenses for the traveler, relatives or parents visiting USA. Adequate visitors insurance coverage is a necessity in United States for visitor medical insurance protection during the stay in America.

Visitors to USA can reduce the financial risk of unforeseen accidents or medical emergency by purchasing visitor health insurance. OR Visitor Insurance is best for tourists to the United States, family members, relatives or parents visiting USA from India, China, or any other international home country.

Security

Portland, Oregon, has a reputation for being clean, green, and progressive. All this is true, and yet like any metropolitan area residents and visitors should be aware of certain Portland warnings and dangers.

Many of the warnings and dangers concerning Portland pertain to driving conditions. Portland residents have a reputation for driving very slowly and over-cautiously. This can cause problems. It also rains a great deal in Portland. Small streams of water form in the roadway, which can be a nuisance to motorists and pedestrians who are at risk of being splashed.

Mass transit includes the MAX, streetcars, and buses. Most mass transit systems are fairly safe, but use caution when riding the eastside MAX train late at night, because there have been some violent crimes.

The Willamette is lovely to look a, but remember it is an urban river. You may not really want to swim in it and should not eat anything that you catch.

Portland is generally a safe and civilized city, but the usual wisdom regarding personal safety in urban areas still pertains: Be cautious in dark, isolated streets at night. Stay sane, sober, and aware of your environment.

In any case see below our tips about safety during your trip:

  • Upon arriving at the airport, look for registered cabs.
  • Whenever you need to open your wallet in public, avoid exposing big cash notes.
  • Do not place your wallet or your phone in the back pockets of your pants, especially in places that are very busy and full.
  • Do not carry large amounts of cash in your wallet, purse or bag. Take only small amounts in the country’s currency for daily expenditures.
  • If you have to take a lot of money, keep it in bags used inside your clothing, closed with zippers or velcro strap and tied with an elastic around your waist.
  • Avoid leaving with important documents and, if you have more than one credit card, take only one. In case your credit card gets stolen, you will have another card for future spending.
  • Leave your passport where you are staying and take only a certified copy of it.
  • Use the safe where you are staying, if the place has one, to keep your money, original passport, credit cards and other important items.
  • Most thefts occur in places where there are large concentrations of people, like markets, subway stations, bus stations and full buses. Luggage theft is also common in airport lounges. Keep an eye out.
  • Avoid walking through empty places or neighborhoods indicated as dangerous by the local residents. This advice is especially important in large cities and to people who are travelling alone.
  • Be wary of people who offer a ride in a non-registered cab, at the airport or in any other location.
  • If you go to the beach, don’t leave your belongings in the sand while you go into the water.
  • If you rent a car, don’t leave any luggage or bags visible inside. If this is unavoidable, try to park the vehicle in a safe place, where there is policing.

Documentation

Visas

The  Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of 38 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. In return, those 38 countries must permit U.S. citizens and nationals to travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes.Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.

You must meet all of the following requirements to travel to the United States on the VWP:

Tourism:

  • vacation (holiday)
  • visit with friends or relatives
  • medical treatment
  • participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
  • participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
  • enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

Learn more about getting the Visa asking in the American Consulate of your own country.

Weather

Portland has four distinct seasons but none of them are extreme. Summer averages around 80 degrees, Fall around 50 degrees, Winter around 40 degrees and Spring around 60 degrees. Snow is rare on the valley floor but we do get below freezing 7-10 days per year. The winter of 2016/17 saw more snow than the last 20 years. Yes, we do have rain, hence all the beauty you expect from Oregon. No, it does not rain all the time. A more accurate statement would be to say the sun doesn’t shine all the time. We have our share of cloudy dry days that may feel like rain to those who are accustomed to sunshine year-round. ut. A lifestyle that appreciates the beauty and respects the land. Portland has been named the “Greenest City in the US” for several years. Check

Summer in Portland really starts in July and ends in September. Summer temperatures average around 80 degrees but do go over a 100 for one or two days a year. Overnight temperatures average around 60 degrees. This is a 90 day period that typically has very little (and sometimes none) rain. The summer is really one of the best parts about Portland. It’s warm for several months. There is modest humidity, often in the 50-60% range. We have comfortable nights to enjoy all the parks and other outdoor recreation and restaurants. The evenings are long and darkness doesn’t come until 10:00 PM in early July. The extensive landscape of forests, beaches, rivers, and bike paths become a draw for all to enjoy on long summer nights.
Fall In Portland, usually starts in October with daytime temperatures dropping to the 60s and low 70s, with cooler nights at about 50-58 degrees. By late October this has dropped another 10 degrees. This temperature change signals the trees to start turning colors. The cooler the nights; the brighter the reds, yellows and oranges of the leaves. October is usually a very nice month with mild temperatures and sunny days.

Portland’s winter weather starts in Mid-November and lasts until mid-  March. Temperatures range from daytime highs in the 50s, to low 40s. It will get below freezing several times and often into the 20s for a day or two. It rains a lot during these four months, but the temperatures are not extreme like in other interior states of the country. Let’s talk snow. Yes it does happen but not every winter. In the last 14 years we have had two really good snow storms (over New Year’s 2004 and January 2017). More common would be a light covering of 1-2 inches that melts off by mid-morning. Portland schools always close at the hint of snow, giving everyone else a good excuse to sleep in as well. We do get icy roads 4-5 times a winter which are actually more difficult for driving than snow. February usually has one warm spell where it gets over 60 degrees just to remind us that spring will come. We always have daffodils in bloom before Easter. Official rain fall is 37 inches per year which means wet days at home and plenty of snow in the mountains (and only 1 hour away).

Spring in Portland, brings a beautiful time of year because we have more flowers blooming in May than any other time of year. Temperatures rise from the 50s in March and April to the 60s in May. By June we have many 70+ degree days and can have hot weather in the 90s as early as June 1 but rare. Through spring the rain continues and becomes more showers than downpours. We also get a few weeks of unseasonably warm weather in the spring. When people ask me if it rains all the time, this is what I say: No it doesn’t rain all the time in Portland, but it’s more accurate to say the sun doesn’t shine all the time. We have a lot of cloudy days that contain no rain (and no sun). We often have days that start out raining and end up with blue skies and sunshine. Rain in Portland is usually not a torrential downpour, but rather a steady flow of water that is enough to get you wet on the way to the car.

Language

Many languages are used, or historically have been used, in the United States.. Over 500 languages are spoken by the U.S. population. The most commonly used language is English (specifically, American English), which is the de facto national language of the United States. Since the  1965   Immigration  Act, h is Spanish is the second most common language in the country. The state government of Louisiana offers services and documents in  French, as New Mexico is Spanish. There are many languages indigenous to North America or to U.S. states or holdings in the Pacific region. Hawaiian, although having few native speakers, is an official language along with English of the state 0f Hawaii.  Alaska recognizes English and twenty native languages as official.

Electricity

Electric power is standardized in all states across the USA. It is set at 110 Volts and 60 cycles. 220 Volt power is used in homes only for large appliances like stoves, water heaters and clothes dryers. It is not normally available for personal appliances.

Standard electric plugs, as illustrated at the top of this page, have two flat blades. The plugs on some newer appliances have a third round grounding pin. Almost all homes and commercial buildings are equipped with electrical receptacles that can accommodate either type of plug.

Good to Know

Country
USA
Currency used
Dolar ($us)
Area (km2)
376.5 km2