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: July 17, 2018 CONTACT: Molly Broadway, Voting Rights Training Specialist 512-407-2725, mbroadway@DRTx.org Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512.407.2739, esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN —Advocacy groups all across Texas are teaming up… Continue reading “Texas Advocacy Groups Partner to Increase Awareness and Voter Turnout of Disability Community”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2018 BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS—When a legal aid attorney learns of injustice, she responds by taking charge and working to remedy the harm. When a case is… Continue reading “Discrimination by Local Transit Systems Triggers Triple Legal Aid Collaboration”
On April 3-5, 2018, representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with… Continue reading “Public Forum Notice: We Want to Hear from You!”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 15, 2017 CONTACT Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) welcomes the following new members to its Protection and Advocacy for Individual with Mental… Continue reading “New Texas Mental Illness Advocacy Council Members Selected for 2018”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2017 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director Disability Rights Texas (512) 407-2739 or esurtees@DRTx.org Three weeks after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast, the storm’s impact… Continue reading “Group of School Children Faces Unique Obstacles After Hurricane Harvey”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2017 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director (512) 407-2739 esurtees@DRTx.org Notice to Medicaid Beneficiaries appealing reductions or denials of Medicaid-funded health services or Medicaid eligibility and who… Continue reading “Important Notice to Texas Medicaid Beneficiaries”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2017 CONTACT: Molly Broadway Voting Rights Training Specialist 512-407-2725, mbroadway@DRTx.org Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739, esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN— Robert Simmons is a 65-year-old, homeless veteran with… Continue reading “35 Million Voters Strong, People With Disabilities Have Something to Say”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2017 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director (512) 407-2739 esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN—Late yesterday the Texas Legislature sent a clear message that students with disabilities in Texas public schools… Continue reading “Texas House Passes Bill Removing Special Ed Cap”
PRESS CONFERENCE MEDIA ADVISORY – UPDATED 3/3/2017, 4:00 PM CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director esurtees@DRTx.org, 512-407-2739 WHEN: Monday, March 6, 2017 – 11:00 am WHERE: Room 2W.6 (House Press Room),… Continue reading “Advocates Announce Response from TEA Commissioner Regarding Demand to End 8.5 Percent Special Ed Cap in Texas”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2017 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) welcomes seven new members to its Protection and Advocacy for Individual with Mental Illness… Continue reading “Civil Rights Group Appoints New Advisory Council Members”