A statewide competition centered on advocacy and public engagement will return to Southern Oregon later this month as AllCare Health Inc. hosts the Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026 Competition and Crowning event.
The public event is scheduled for February 28, 2026, beginning at 2 p.m. at AllCare Health, located at 1701 NE 7th Street in Grants Pass. Now in its third year in coordination with The Equity Project of Josephine County and The Ms. Wheelchair Oregon Advocacy and Empowerment Program, the event brings together women from across the state who use wheelchairs and are committed to advancing issues affecting the disability community.
According to the event announcement, “This competition highlights advocacy, accomplishment, and empowerment for women who use wheelchairs.” Participants are evaluated on their advocacy platforms, communication skills, and personal achievements rather than physical appearance. The competition serves as Oregon’s official pathway to the national Ms. Wheelchair America program.
Ms. Wheelchair America operates as a national advocacy platform for women who use wheelchairs, representing the interests of more than 64 million Americans living with disabilities. The Oregon titleholder will advance to compete at the national level, carrying forward a platform focused on policy awareness, community engagement, and public education.
The 2025 state competition, also held at AllCare Health, resulted in the crowning of Grants Pass resident Alice Diehl. She later placed third at the Ms. Wheelchair America 2026 competition. Her advocacy platform emphasized building hope and creating safe spaces for vulnerable communities, drawing attention to the role of local leadership in statewide and national conversations about accessibility and inclusion.
Eligibility requirements for contestants include identifying as female, being at least 21 years of age with no upper age limit, using a wheelchair for mobility, not having previously held a state title, and having resided in Oregon for at least six months prior to competing. The structure of the program allows women from diverse professional and personal backgrounds to participate, provided they meet those criteria.
AllCare Health has continued its involvement with the event as part of its broader efforts related to equity and disability advocacy. In its announcement, the organization stated it is “honored to support this empowering initiative,” reinforcing its commitment to inclusive community engagement.
The February 28 event will provide attendees with the opportunity to hear directly from contestants as they present their platforms and discuss the issues they hope to advance during their year of service. The afternoon program will conclude with the crowning of Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026, who will represent the state at the national competition later this year.
As the event returns to Grants Pass, it continues to position Southern Oregon as a host for statewide advocacy efforts, connecting local audiences with broader conversations about accessibility, representation, and civic participation.