Press Room

Reporters interested in leveraging the extensive disability rights expertise of our attorneys, advocates, or policy specialists are encouraged to contact our Communications Department at (512) 407-2739 or commdir@DRTx.org to schedule an interview at least 24 hours in advance. Please include your deadline for speaking with our staff in your voice mail or email.

Take a few minutes to learn about reporting on and writing about disability issues. For instance, statements like “people with disabilities” and “uses a wheelchair” are preferred instead of “the disabled” or “wheelchair bound.” For more information, see Communicating About People with Disabilities from the National Disability Rights Network and How to Report with Care On Disability from the New York Times.

Results

Federal Court Declares Texas’ Prolonged Jail Waits for Competency Restoration Unconstitutional

July 9, 2026

“This is a significant victory for the thousands of people with mental illness who have been left in Texas jails for months—and, in many cases, more than a year—without the treatment and competency restoration services they were ordered to receive.”

Disability Rights Texas’ Statement Regarding Recent U.S. Department of Justice Memo on Integration Mandate

June 30, 2026

For more than 25 years, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. has recognized an essential principle: that people with disabilities must have the opportunity to live, work, and participate in community life rather than being unnecessarily segregated in institutions. This principle—known as the integration mandate—has helped countless Americans with disabilities maintain their independence, stay connected to their family and community, and exercise greater control over their own lives.

As Spring Primaries Approach, Some Disabled Voters Unable to Cast Ballot

February 5, 2026

A group of Harris County voters who are blind and have print disabilities, together with the National Federation of the Blind of Texas (NFB-TX), filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Harris County and County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth challenging the county’s failure to provide remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) ballots for blind and other voters who cannot read or complete paper ballots.

Lawsuit dropped after collaboration leads to City of San Antonio emergency plan that considers needs of people with disabilities

November 17, 2025

After two years of collaborative efforts between Plaintiffs and the City of San Antonio, the Plaintiffs have dismissed their lawsuit now that the City has significantly revised its Emergency Operation Plan to consider the needs of residents with disabilities.

Court Issues Landmark Disability Decision for People with Disabilities in Texas Nursing Facilities

June 19, 2025

A Texas federal judge has ruled that Texas officials are violating federal law, causing irreparable harm to thousands of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) whom they segregate in nursing facilities without mandated services or opportunities for community living.

Disability Rights Texas Appoints Four New Members to Its Board of Directors

November 4, 2024

Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), the legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in Texas, has appointed the following four new members to its Board of Directors for fiscal year 2025 beginning October 1, 2024: Joseph Muniz (Harlingen); Josette Pelatan (El Paso); Lizdelia Pinon (Crowley); and Angel Ponce (Houston). The Board is comprised of 16 members from across the state who reflect the constituency of individuals with developmental, mental, and physical disabilities who are served by the agency.

Court approves settlement agreement with Austin ISD

September 4, 2024

On September 4, 2024, the court approved a settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed against Austin ISD (AISD) in March 2021 by Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) and individual plaintiffs regarding delayed special education evaluations.

Joint Statement from Austin ISD and Disability Rights Texas

August 23, 2024

On the evening of August 22, 2024, the Austin ISD (AISD) Board of Trustees approved a settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed in March 2021 by Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) regarding delayed special education evaluations.

DOJ Finds Children in “Unconstitutional Conditions” at Juvenile Facilities

August 1, 2024

The DOJ found that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is violating the Constitution and federal law.

Expanding access to legal services for low-income Texans

June 13, 2024

Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT), Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA), Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC), and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) are the proud recipients of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation Moonshot Grant Award. The funding will kickstart an initiative to expand essential legal services to underserved Texas communities, ensuring justice reaches every part of the state.