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 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”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2017 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,… Continue reading “Disability Advocacy Agency Selects New Board Members from Austin, Fort Hood, Garland, and Lubbock”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2017 CONTACT: Edie Surtees, Disability Rights Texas 512-407-2739, esurtees@DRTx.org Emily McGee, WorldatWork 202-315-5514, emily.mcgee@worldatwork.org AUSTIN— WorldatWork, a nonprofit HR association and compensation authority, is proud… Continue reading “Texas Nonprofit Agency Receives National Award”
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”