FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2016
CONTACT:
Edie Surtees
Communications Director
512.407.2739
esurtees@DRTx.org
AUSTIN – In 2015, DRTx staff worked to protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities in numerous ways.
For instance, we helped to reinstate Medicaid benefits for children with disabilities who abruptly lost coverage. We assisted people in successfully transitioning from surviving in institutions to thriving in the community. We represented children with disabilities in foster care to ensure they received the range of services they vitally needed. We worked to end discrimination against veterans with disabilities who have service animals. And the list goes on.
In Fiscal Year 2015, our total reach included:
About 7,000 people who called to request services
More than 4,000 active client cases
Nearly 3,000 successfully closed client cases
Over 17,000 people educated about disability rights
Approximately 14,000 people received brochures about our programs
More than 54,000 visitors to our website
Upwards to 35,000 people who downloaded our self-advocacy resources or clicked on links to other important websites
More than 2,000 followers on Facebook and 650 on Twitter with 220 disability rights news information posts reaching 148,000 people
In whatever way we were able to assist you, we thank you for being a part of our vision to help create a world where all people are treated with dignity and worth and where people with disabilities are able to fully and equally participate in all aspects of life.
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Disability Rights Texas (previously named Advocacy Inc.) is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities in Texas. Its mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society.