Where a Texan lives should not determine whether justice is within their reach. Yet a gap in access to legal services persists in rural areas of our state. The Texas Rural Justice Initiative addresses that gap.
The new initiative is funded by the Supreme Court of Texas through the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. Through the program, eligible individuals and families across rural Texas will have access to a full range of civil legal services, with additional support tailored to certain populations, including veterans, people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence. Throughout the initiative, additional services will be tailored to address the unique legal needs and barriers facing these populations in rural communities.
Using a hybrid services model, seven legal aid organizations will reach rural Texas communities through in-person, virtual and technology-supported services. The coalition will establish rural legal outposts in trusted community spaces, deploy traveling attorneys and coordinate service routes to extend its reach across rural communities. Through community outreach, the organizations will connect eligible individuals and families with a full range of civil legal services.
Disability Rights Texas is proud to be one of organizations to receive funding to participate in this ground-breaking initiative and will focus on providing special education advocacy services in these communities.
Read more about the Texas Rural Justice Initiative: TAJF Rural Justice Press Release