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: April 28, 2022 CONTACT: Chris Danielsen, Director of Public Relations, National Federation of the Blind, 410-262-1281 Lia Sifuentes Davis, Senior Litigation Attorney, Disability Rights Texas, 512-407-2763 Edie… Continue reading “Lawsuit Filed Against Bexar County for Accessible Mail-in Ballots”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2022 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512-407-2739 esurtees@DRTx.org Sean A. Jackson, J.D., named new Executive Director of Disability Rights Texas AUSTIN ─ Disability Rights Texas… Continue reading “Disability Rights Texas Announces New Executive Director”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022 Agency Cites Importance of Gender Affirming Care for Transgender Youth with Disabilities AUSTIN─On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to the Commissioner… Continue reading “Disability Rights Texas Responds to Governor Directive Regarding Transgender Youth”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2022 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Disability Rights Texas, 512-407-2739 Jolene Sanders, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, 512-478-3366 x 312 Increase in Arrest of School Staff for… Continue reading “Increased Arrests of School Staff for Violent Restraint of Texas Students”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2021 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512-407-2739 esurtees@drtx.org Judge Rules Complaint Against Austin ISD Has Standing, Will Proceed Lawsuit Says District Has History of Delayed… Continue reading “Federal judge says AISD’s alleged systematic violations of IDEA act not cured”
Today, a federal judge ruled that Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order – GA-38 – violates and is pre-emptive of federal law. The court permanently enjoins the Texas Attorney General from enforcing the provisions of GA-38 prohibiting schools from requiring masks. Continue reading “Federal Judge Rules Governor Order Banning Mask Mandates Violates Federal Law”
A year ago, in October 2020, Texas Appleseed and Disability Rights Texas, two nonprofit justice and legal organizations, filed a complaint with the DOJ asking the Department to open an investigation based on unconstitutional conditions and grievous violations of children’s constitutional rights. Continue reading “DOJ Opens Investigation into Abuse at Texas Juvenile Justice Facilities”
A collective of Texas-based organizations is calling for legislators to address funding for community attendants and direct care workers during the third special session. Continue reading “Workforce Crisis Puts Essential Services for Texans with Disabilities in Jeopardy”
This assault on voting rights and democracy in Texas cannot go unchallenged. We urge the court to strike down the barriers to voting that these new illegal restrictions impose. Continue reading “New Texas Voting Law Brings On Federal Lawsuit Asserting Violation of ADA and More”
The complaint states that the Governor’s Executive Order GA-38 prohibiting school districts and charter schools from implementing mask mandates is putting students with disabilities at significant risk, is discriminatory, and violates the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act. Continue reading “First Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Texas Governor on Mask Mandate Ban Says It Violates ADA, Section 504”