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: 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”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2012 CONTACT: Dustin Rynders Supervising Attorney 832-681-8205 drynders@DRTx.org AUSTIN — Disability Rights Texas has filed a Texas Education Agency complaint against the New Caney Independent… Continue reading “Complaint Filed Against New Caney ISD on Behalf of Student Denied Use of Walker”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012 CONTACT: Beth Mitchell Supervising Attorney 512-407-2715 AUSTIN – Disability Rights Texas attorneys won a significant victory this week on behalf of pretrial detainees with… Continue reading “Court Rules Pretrial Detainees With Mental Illness Cannot Be Held in Jails Indefinitely”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2012 CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@drtx.org HOUSTON — A recent settlement reached requiring the Houston Housing Authority (HHA) to re-instate housing assistance and… Continue reading “Disability Rights Texas Success in Case Leads to Housing Authority Changes”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 12, 2011 CONTACT: Jessica Gómez Voting Rights Policy Specialist 512.454.2732 jgomez@disabilityrightstx.org AUSTIN — Numerous Texas civil rights organizations are expected to call upon U.S. Attorney General… Continue reading “Texas Civil Rights Organizations Call Attorney General to Step Up Voting Rights Protections”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 1, 2011 CONTACT: Patty Anderson Deputy Director panderson@disabilityrightstx.org 512.454.4816 AUSTIN — Disability Rights Texas has created four free online videos for parents and guardians of children… Continue reading “Free Special Education Videos for Parents and Guardians of Children With Disabilites”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2011 CONTACT: Anne Marie Becka Communications Manager abecka@disabilityrightstx.org 512-407-2767 AUSTIN – Disability Rights Texas, the legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in… Continue reading “Disability Rights Texas Appoints Five New Board Members”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 15, 2011 CONTACT: Anne Marie Becka Communications Manager abecka@disabilityrightstx.org 512-407-2767 AUSTIN — Disability Rights Texas will host eight free special education workshops for parents of children with… Continue reading “Free Special Education Workshops for Parents of Children With Disabilities Planned in Rural Communities”