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 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”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2020 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 Texas, has… Continue reading “DRTx Appoints New Board Members”
Texas Appleseed and Disability Rights Texas, two nonprofit justice and legal organizations, are filing the complaint citing unconstitutional conditions and grievous violations of children’s constitutional rights. Continue reading “DOJ Complaint Urges Investigation into Abuse, Constitutional Violations of Youth in Texas Juvenile Facilities”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2020 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Disability Rights Texas, 512-407-2739, esurtees@drtx.org Armand Viscarri, ACLU of Texas, 346-299-6803, media@aclutx.org John Gerstein, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, 415-533-3741,… Continue reading “Disability Rights Groups File Court Brief Supporting Lawsuit to Fight Ballot Drop Off Location Limit”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2020 CONTACT: Armand Viscarri, ACLU of Texas, 346-299-6803, media@aclutx.org Lia S. Davis, Disability Rights Texas, 512-454-4816, ldavis@drtx.org John Gerstein, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP,… Continue reading “Court Brief Supports Challenge to Governor Order Regarding Ballot Drop Off”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2020 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Disability Rights Texas Communications Director 512-407-2739 esurtees@drtx.org Fall Election Amid Pandemic Leaves Some Voters in the Dark DOJ Complaint Alleges Texas… Continue reading “More than 80 Texas Counties Named in DOJ Complaint for Inaccessible Election Websites”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2020 CONTACT: Lia Davis, Senior Attorney, Disability Rights Texas, 512-407-2763 Laurel Goodroe, Communications Specialist, 832-681-8215 Chris Danielsen, Director of Public Relations, National Federation of the… Continue reading “Paper Vote-By-Mail Ballots Keep Blind Texans from Voting, Lawsuit Alleges”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2020 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director, 512-407-2739, esurtees@drtx.org Laurel Goodroe, Communications Specialist, 832-681-8215, lgoodroe@drtx.org Advocacy Groups and Five Individuals File Discrimination Complaint Over… Continue reading “Federal Complaint Says North Texas Rationing of Care Guidelines Leave People with Disabilties at Grave Risk”