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DRTx in the News

Revised Pandemic Rationing Plan Protects Disabled Texans From Being Sent To Back Of Line For Ventilators

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As COVID-19 cases surge, North Texas hospitals could soon be faced with a shortage of life-saving equipment, such a ICU beds and ventilators. People with disabilities fear if that happens, they may be pushed to the back of the line and even denied care. On Thursday, Jan. 14, civil rights groups, along with the North… Continue reading Revised Pandemic Rationing Plan Protects Disabled Texans From Being Sent To Back Of Line For Ventilators

Report: Texas Schools Still Forcibly Restrain Students Too Often

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The advocacy group Disability Rights Texas examined statewide data and found that students with disabilities and Black students are physically restrained by educators at disproportionately high rates. In Texas, when a student is deemed a threat to themselves or others at school, a teacher or staff member has to intervene and forcibly restrain them —… Continue reading Report: Texas Schools Still Forcibly Restrain Students Too Often

Feds ‘cannot determine’ whether Texas has made progress fixing special ed violations

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The Texas Education Agency has failed to show it sufficiently addressed any of the U.S. Department of Education’s requirements for improving special education across the state, federal officials said in a letter to the agency last month. The Oct. 19 missive said the agency was unable to provide federal officials with enough documentation and data to… Continue reading Feds ‘cannot determine’ whether Texas has made progress fixing special ed violations

Deaf voters in Bexar County only given access to interpreter assistance at two voting sites

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Deaf voters in Bexar County can only get interpreter assistance at two polling locations, despite disability advocates saying voters should have the ability to get help at the location of their choice. Deaf people who rely on American Sign Language may need an interpreter’s help at the polls since English is, for them, a second… Continue reading Deaf voters in Bexar County only given access to interpreter assistance at two voting sites

Special Ed. Students Could Get $1,500 In COVID-19 Relief Funds But Parents Say That Fails To Make Up For Student ‘Regression’

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To help students with disabilities, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a new program that would give eligible families $1,500. The money can be used to pay for tutoring, therapy and technology needs. It is not supposed to replace the special education services and resources schools are required to provide. Texas secured $30 million for the program…. Continue reading Special Ed. Students Could Get $1,500 In COVID-19 Relief Funds But Parents Say That Fails To Make Up For Student ‘Regression’

Texas’ Juvenile Justice System Is Still Broken, Complaint Says

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Children housed at Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or TJJD, facilities routinely suffer sexual assault, physical abuse and other forms of mistreatment, according to a complaint sent to the U.S. Department of Justice by two Texas justice groups last week. The groups – Texas Appleseed and Disability Rights Texas – culled data from open records requests and spoke to youth housed at… Continue reading Texas’ Juvenile Justice System Is Still Broken, Complaint Says

Disability in the Time of COVID-19: Unheard Voices, Unseen Struggles—and Unknown Rights

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American Muslim Today asked DRTx attorney Afnan Akram if she would write an article for them on Disability related housing issues during COVID. The goal was to talk about protections for people with disabilities so that anyone reading the article (not just disability rights advocates) would understand and identify situations in their own lives. “The… Continue reading Disability in the Time of COVID-19: Unheard Voices, Unseen Struggles—and Unknown Rights