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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2014 CONTACT: Tom Hargis ACLU of Texas 832.291.4776 media@aclutx.org Deborah Fowler Texas Appleseed 512.757.1458 dfowler@texasappleseed.net AUSTIN – A coalition of civil rights and social justice… Continue reading “Civil Rights Groups Call on TEA to End Taser and Pepper Spray Use in Schools”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 19, 2013 CONTACT: Garth Corbett, Disability Rights Texas, 512-407-2719 Colby Walton, Cooksey Communications, 972-580-0662 x23 Edie Surtees, Disability Rights Texas, 512-407-2739 AUSTIN—The state of Texas and… Continue reading “Interim Agreement is Victory for Texans with Disabilities Unlawfully Confined to Nursing Homes”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2013 CONTACT: Janis Monger Texas Appleseed 512.296.8043 AUSTIN – Students in Dallas County truancy courts are being denied their constitutional rights, handcuffed and arrested for… Continue reading “Students’ Constitutional Rights Violated by Dallas County Schools and Truancy Courts”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2013 Contact: Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@drtx.org Austin — Disability Rights Texas Attorney Chris McGreal has been named as a 2013 recipient of the State… Continue reading “Disability Rights Texas Attorney Earns State Bar Impact Award”
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: February 19, 2013 CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director Disability Rights Texas esurtees@drtx.org (512) 407-2739 AUSTIN — Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), a legal protection and advocacy agency mandated… Continue reading “New Report Reveals Faulty State Hospital Hiring Practices Likely Contributed to Repeat Patient Abuse”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2012 Contact: Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@drtx.org HARKER HEIGHTS, TX – Some military members return from war with wounds that aren’t easily seen, such… Continue reading “Wild Country Night Club Refuses Entry to Veteran with Service Animal”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2012 CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@drtx.org SAN ANTONIO – Some military members return from war with wounds that aren’t easily seen, such as… Continue reading “Legal Advocacy Group Files Case on Behalf of Iraqi War Hero”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2012 CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@drtx.org AUSTIN – Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), the legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in… Continue reading “Disability Rights Texas Selects Five New Board Members”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2012 CONTACT: Dustin Rynders, Supervising Attorney drynders@DRTx.org 832-681-8205 AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is leading a coalition to demand that the 30 Texas school districts that… Continue reading “DRTx Leads Coalition to Reduce Suspension of Special Education Students in 30 Districts”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2012 CONTACT: Michael F. Heagerty, attorney mheagerty@DRTx.org, 512-454-4816 or Meredith Shytles, attorney mshytles@DRTx.org, 512-454-4816 AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas recently won a due process hearing against Celina… Continue reading “DRTx Wins Judgement Against Celina ISD For Refusal to Transport Student with Disabilities”