Filing a Case Denial Appeal

Appeals may be submitted orally or in writing.  Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) staff will assist a client in making his or her appeal if the client needs an accommodation to file the appeal. If the appeal is an emergency such as when a legal deadline needs to be met, the client should inform DRTx staff and note on the letter or email requesting an appeal that the appeal is an emergency.

Step 1: A person who is dissatisfied with a DRTx denial or termination of client services may appeal the decision to the Legal Director within twenty (20) calendar days of the action or decision. The appeal may be made by calling (512) 454-4816 or  in writing by emailing Appeals@DisabilityRightsTx.org or mailing it to:

Legal Director
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane
Austin, Texas 78758-1014

Step 2: Upon receiving the appeal, the Legal Director will investigate the action or decision and examine any additional information submitted with the appeal. An appeal received after twenty (20) calendar days will be denied unless the person requests an extension of the deadline as an accommodation. The Legal Director will issue a written decision in response to the appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the appeal.

Step 3: A person who is dissatisfied with the Legal Director’s decision may seek review by the Executive Director within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of the Legal Director’s decision. The request for review may be made by calling (512) 454-4816 or in writing by emailing Appeals@DisabilityRightsTx.org or mailing it to:

Executive Director
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane
Austin, Texas 78758

Step 4: Upon receipt of a request for review, the Executive Director will investigate the decision and examine any additional information submitted with the request for review. An appeal of the Legal Director’s decision received after fourteen (14) calendar days will be denied unless the person requests an extension of the deadline as an accommodation. The Executive Director will issue a written decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of the request for review.

Step 5: A person who is dissatisfied with the Executive Director’s decision may seek review by the Board of Directors’ Client Grievance Committee within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of the Executive Director’s decision. The Client Grievance Committee cannot have access to confidential information unless the client waives the attorney-client privilege. The request for review may be made in writing by emailing Appeals@DisabilityRightsTx.org or mailing it to:

Client Grievance Committee of the Board of Directors
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane
Austin, Texas 78758

Step 6: The Client Grievance Committee will investigate the decision and examine any additional information submitted with the request for review. An appeal of the Executive Director’s decision received after fourteen (14) calendar days will be denied unless the person requests an extension of the deadline as an accommodation. The Committee will issue a written decision within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the request for review. The decision of the Committee is final.

If you have any questions about this procedure, please do not hesitate to call a Disability Rights Texas staff person.

Filing a Case Complaint

Filing a Case Complaint with DRTx

If you are not satisfied with the manner or quality of our representation (as opposed to the denial of our services), you should be directed to your case handler’s supervising attorney. To find out the name of your case handler’s supervising attorney, you can call DRTx via phone (1-512-454-4816) or Sign Language Video Phone (1-866-362-2851). If, after discussion with the supervising attorney, you still aren’t satisfied, the supervising attorney will direct you to DRTx’s Legal Director.

Filing a Case Complaint with the State Bar of Texas

Additionally, the State Bar of Texas investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by Texas attorneys. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a lawyer involves professional misconduct, the State Bar’s Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. For more information, call the State Bar of Texas at 1-800-932-1900 or visit CDC.Texasbar.com.

Filing a Complaint Against DRTx

Step 1: A person who expresses dissatisfaction with DRTx’s compliance with its federal mandates as the protection and advocacy system for Texas may file a complaint with the Legal Director. The complaint may be emailed to Appeals@DisabilityRightsTx.org or sent by regular mail to:

Legal Director
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane
Austin, Texas 78758

Step 2: Upon receiving the appeal, the Legal Director will investigate the complaint and examine any additional information submitted with the complaint. The Legal Director will issue a written decision in response to the complaint within fourteen (14) calendar days after completing his or her investigation.

Step 3: A person who is dissatisfied with the Legal Director’s decision may seek review by the Executive Director within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of the Legal Director’s decision. The request for review may be emailed to Appeals@DisabilityRightsTx.org or sent by regular mail to:

Executive Director
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane
Austin, Texas 78758

Step 4: Upon receipt of a request for review, the Executive Director will investigate the decision and examine any additional information submitted with the request for review. The Executive Director will issue a written decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of the request for review.

Step 5: A person who is dissatisfied with the Executive Director’s decision may seek review by the Board of Directors within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of the Legal Director’s decision. The request for review may be emailed to Appeals@DisabilityRightsTx.org or sent by regular mail to:

Board Greivance Committee
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane
Austin, Texas 78758

Step 6: The Grievance Committee will investigate the decision and examine any additional information submitted with the request for review. The Committee will issue a written decision within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the request for review. The decision of the Committee is final.