FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2011
CONTACT:
Anne Marie Becka
Communications Manager
512.407.2767
abecka@disabilityrightstx.org
AUSTIN — Texas’ legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities across the state officially changed its name today from Advocacy Inc. to Disability Rights Texas.
The agency changed its name to more clearly identify itself as the federally designated P&A for Texans with intellectual, developmental, sensory, physical and other disabilities, as well as mental illness. A similar name change is being made by other state P&As across the country in order to better align themselves with the larger National Disability Rights Network, the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated P&A systems and client assistance programs. Collectively, the network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
Although the agency’s name has changed, its mission remains the same as when it was first established in 1977 — to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society.
“We protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities in a variety of ways,” said Mary S. Faithfull, executive director of Disability Rights Texas. “We advocate on their behalf through the legal system, champion important laws and policies that secure their rights in the community, and support the day-to-day service issues that affect the quality of their lives.”
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Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in Texas. Its mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society.