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.
ESAs will impact legal rights for student with disabilities and special education funding. Continue reading “Implications of Education Savings Accounts for Students with Disabilities”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2023 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512-407-2739 esurtees@DRTx.org Laurel Goodroe, Communications and Development Specialist 832-681-8215 lgoodroe@drtx.org DRTx Statement on TEA Placement of AISD Under Conservatorship… Continue reading “TEA Places Austin ISD under Conversatorship Due to Failure to Comply with Special Education Law”
DRTx requested that TEA investigate and remedy Austin ISD’s broken system that denies its students with disabilities timely evaluations. Continue reading “DRTx Requests TEA Address Austin ISD’s Continued Violation of Federal and State Law”
A federal lawsuit was filed against the City of San Antonio for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act because individuals with disabilities were denied equal, effective, and equitable access to the City’s emergency and disaster planning compared to individuals without disabilities. Continue reading “Lawsuit Filed Against San Antonio for Denying Access to Emergency and Disaster Planning”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2023 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Disability Rights Texas, 512-407-2739, esurtees@DRTx.org Jolene Sanders, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, 512-478-3366 x312, jsanders@txdisabilities.org Texas Parents Ask Lawmakers to Take… Continue reading “Texas Parents Ask Lawmakers to Take Action to End Harmful Student Restraint”
PRESS CONFERENCE MEDIA ADVISORY January 17, 2023 CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director esurtees@DRTx.org 512-407-2739 With Violent Restraint of Texas Students at Alarming Rates, Parents, Advocates, and Legislators Demand Action WHAT: Press… Continue reading “Texas Capitol Press Conference to Address Violent Restraint of Texas Students”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2022 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512-407-2739 esurtees@DRTx.org Disability Rights Texas Appoints Six New Members to Board of Directors AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), the legal… Continue reading “DRTx Appoints New Board Members”
DRTx issued a statement about how Texas is failing some people with disabilities who have a right to live safely and receive quality care in the community. Continue reading “DRTx Statement: Texans with disabilities have the right to live safely and receive quality care in the community”
A new report exposes the broken guardianship system in Texas that prevents people with disabilities from having their rights restored Continue reading “Texas Guardianship System Leads to Civil Death for Many”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 29, 2022 CONTACT: Willis Jacobson, National Center for Youth Law: wjacobson@youthlaw.org Edie Surtees, Disability Rights Texas: esurtees@DRTx.org Protecting Trans Youth: National Center for Youth Law, Disability… Continue reading “DRTx joins in filing of amicus brief calling for end to Gov. Abbott directive on gender-affirming care”