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.
Students with disabilities need in-person schooling even more than any other student group, but they must be able to receive instruction and services safely. Continue reading “Brief Filed Today in Mask Mandate Ban Case Urges Court to Protect Vulnerable Students”
DRTx’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline aims to help individuals with disabilities by increasing access to the vaccine and by providing information about it. Continue reading “DRTx Launches Vaccine Hotline to Increase Access for Texans with Disabilities”
Today, Disability Rights Texas released a report summarizing findings from a survey answered by nearly 600 people asking Texans with disabilities how Winter Storm Uri impacted them. Continue reading “Survey Results Reveal Alarming Danger Faced by People with Disabilities During Winter Storm”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2021 CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director 512-407-2739 (office) esurtees@drtx.org Governor Abbott Urged to Endorse Activation and Application of Statewide Critical Care Guidelines AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas… Continue reading “Governor Abbott Urged to Endorse Activation and Application of Statewide Critical Care Guidelines”
A lawsuit filed in federal court today alleges that Austin ISD is failing thousands of students with disabilities due to its refusal to address longstanding, systemic issues impacting its evaluation system. The failure has resulted in delayed evaluations of more than 2,000 students in the district. Continue reading “Lawsuit Says Austin ISD Violates Federal Law, Fails to Evaluate More Than 2,000 Students”
Disability Rights Texas is grateful to the North Texas Mass Critical Care Guidelines Task Force and the Southwest Texas RAC for their leadership to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities and older adults are protected and to OCR for continuing to recognize the rights of vulnerable populations during this pandemic. Continue reading “New Crisis Care Guidelines Protect Older Adults, Disabled”
Many people with disabilities, including older adults, are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing life-threatening complications from the virus, while many need hospitalization for other reasons. It is critical that such persons, regardless of their COVID-19 status, have access to support persons who can help to effectively communicate with medical personnel and have access to necessary care while in the hospital. Continue reading “No Visitor Policy Denies Rights of Hospitalized Patients with Disabilities to Have Support Person”
DRTx asks the state of Texas to ensure that no one is left behind by being deprived of potentially lifesaving information and take the necessary steps to lead and guide all entities in providing accessible and effective communication to the public about the COVID-19 vaccine. Continue reading “Critical COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Must Reach All Texans”
A new report released today by Disability Rights Texas provides alarming evidence that despite years of federal guidance, training, and advocacy, the use of restraints in public schools as a behavioral intervention measure is still overused, harmful, and must be stopped. Continue reading “Students with Disabilities, of Color Harmfully Restrained at Alarming Rates”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2020 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director esurtees@drtx.org 512-407-2739 AUSTIN—As our nation continues to mourn the death of Texas-native George Floyd and others who have lost… Continue reading “How People with Disabilities, Especially Those of Color, are Harmed by Over-Policing”