The Disability Rights Texas offices are closed until Thursday, January 2, 2025.
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.
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”
Voters with disabilities in Texas are now no longer limited by a restrictive law in what assistance they can receive to ensure they are able to vote. Continue reading “Court Strikes Down Texas Law Restricting Voter Assistance”
The Emergency Ready Sheet helps people with disabilities have important information collected in one place so they can be prepared and react quickly when a disaster or emergency strikes. Continue reading “New Online Tool Helps People with Disabilities to Be Emergency Ready”
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”