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 January 13, 2017 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director (512) 407-2739 esurtees@DRTx.org TYLER, TEXAS—Last October, Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), a nonprofit legal advocacy agency, and its pro bono co-counsel,… Continue reading “State Agency Broke Law by Ending Critical Children’s Therapy in East Texas”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2016 CONTACT: Nancy Nusser Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid Communications Director 512 374-2764 (o); 410 934 9588 (m) nnusser@trla.org SAN ANTONIO—Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid… Continue reading “State Health Officials Sued for Failing to Provide Medically Necessary Autism Treatment”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2016 CONTACT: Julia Longoria, Attorney 210-424-9652 JLongoria@DRTx.org TYLER, TEXAS—Two-year old Haylee is a loving little girl challenged by significant developmental disabilities. Thanks to a dedicated team… Continue reading “East Texas Parents Seek Restitution for Young Daughter Due to Lapse in Critical Early Childhood Therapy Services”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 2, 2016 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512.407.2739 (office) esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is disappointed by the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) defensive response filed with the… Continue reading “DRTx Statement on Texas Education Agency Response to U.S. Department of Education Demands Regarding 8.5 Percent Cap”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 28, 2016 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) filed Department of Labor (DOL) complaints earlier this week against Bluebonnet Homes in Jacksonville… Continue reading “Department of Labor complaints filed against Texas employers for violating federal fair labor law”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 20, 2016 CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director Disability Rights Texas 512.407.2739 esurtees@drtx.org www.drtx.org Timothy Elder Attorney TRE Legal Practice 410.415.3493 telder@trelegal.com www.trelegal.com AUSTIN — With Uber… Continue reading “Disability Discrimination Lawsuits Filed Against Rideshares in Austin”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2016 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@drtx.org www.drtx.org Each summer Disability Rights Texas has the privilege of hosting several talented law school and other students… Continue reading “Law School and Other Students Gain Valuable Public Interest Experience at Nonprofit Legal Advocacy Agency”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2016 MEDIA CONTACT: Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739 esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN – Some Texas workers are making as little as pennies per hour while their bosses are… Continue reading “Living on a Dime and Left Behind: How a Depression-Era Labor Law Cheats Texas Workers with Disabilities”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2016 CONTACT: Molly Broadway Voting Rights Training Specialist 512-407-2725, mbroadway@DRTx.org Edie Surtees Communications Director 512.407.2739, esurtees@DRTx.org AUSTIN—As the nation gets closer to the next presidential… Continue reading “Texas Group Works to Ensure Voter Turnout in Fall Election”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2015 CONTACT Edie Surtees Communications Director: 512.407.2739, esurtees@DRTx.org Jeff Miller Attorney/Policy Specialist 512.407.2762, jmilller@DRTx.org AUSTIN—Just last week, Disability Rights Texas and other members of the Texas… Continue reading “Toxic lead levels in drinking water at state-run centers”