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DRTx in the News

Texas Education Agency May Tighten Oversight For Off-Campus Special Ed Programs

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“It wasn’t clear what specific actions the districts had to take in their oversight and now we have a baseline,” said Shiloh Carter, an attorney with Disability Rights Texas. Carter said that in the last year, she’s represented 13 students with disabilities who’ve been sent by their school districts to alternative programs  — only for their parents… Continue reading Texas Education Agency May Tighten Oversight For Off-Campus Special Ed Programs

Groups Work To Close Gap In Voter Turnout Between Texans With Disabilities And Those Without

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“Advocates say they’re hoping to register more Texans with disabilities ahead of the constitutional amendment election in November and the presidential primaries next year. Across the country, voter turnout among people with disabilities is lower than those without disabilities. During an event in Austin on Tuesday, activists began training to become deputy voter registrars who will reach… Continue reading Groups Work To Close Gap In Voter Turnout Between Texans With Disabilities And Those Without

For fourth straight year, Texas special education “needs assistance,” feds say

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For the fourth year in a row, Texas “needs assistance” complying with federal law to provide special education services to children with disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Texas has earned the same rating every summer since 2016 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) despite a push to improve student access… Continue reading For fourth straight year, Texas special education “needs assistance,” feds say

Parents calling on lawmakers to deal with $223 million special education shortfall

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Parents and advocates say it’s a dire situation in Texas education, as the state faces a $223 million shortfall in federal special education over the next several fiscal years. The state got to this point after a federal judge found they violated their conditions for receiving federal disability funding from the Individuals with Disabilities Act…. Continue reading Parents calling on lawmakers to deal with $223 million special education shortfall

Harris County, DOJ reach settlement over poll access for voters with disabilities

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“The U.S. Department of Justice will monitor Harris County elections, at county expense, for up to four years under the settlement of a federal lawsuit over inadequate access to polling places for voters with disabilities…Under the agreement, Harris County will have to make minor accessibility improvements to as many as 300 of its 750 regular voting… Continue reading Harris County, DOJ reach settlement over poll access for voters with disabilities

Report: Texas foster kids left in state psychiatric hospitals for weeks or months

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“Hundreds of Texas foster children are languishing for weeks or months in psychiatric hospitals because they have nowhere else to go, hurting them psychologically, endangering them physically and costing the state millions of dollars. Nearly 600 foster kids in fiscal year 2017 spent a total of almost 14,000 days in psychiatric hospitals after doctors said they… Continue reading Report: Texas foster kids left in state psychiatric hospitals for weeks or months

Lawsuit: Shortening school days to deal with behavioral issues leads to the segregation of students with disabilities

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“A first of its kind lawsuit charging that the state of Oregon has failed to provide full school days to students with mental, emotional and behavioral disabilities could create a model for other states to stop the practice of shortening school days… “The problem is not limited to Oregon. Advocates and attorneys in other states, including… Continue reading Lawsuit: Shortening school days to deal with behavioral issues leads to the segregation of students with disabilities

Walmart is getting rid of greeters. Here’s why the disabled community is outraged

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“One of the country’s most recognizable retail jobs might soon be no more, and the disabled community is reacting. Walmart, the biggest employer in the United States, is phasing out its store greeter position…[Elizabeth] De La Cruz started working as a greeter at Sam’s Club in 2015 and had been in the position for two and… Continue reading Walmart is getting rid of greeters. Here’s why the disabled community is outraged

DRTx partnership with Juvenile Probation Helps Students Succeed in School, Prevents Return to Justice System

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“Estimates for the percentage of disabled youth in juvenile justice systems nationally ranges from 9 percent to 77 percent, with most studies putting the number closer to about 33 percent…A partnership between Disability Rights Texas and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department helps students succeed in school and keep from returning to the system.” Read… Continue reading DRTx partnership with Juvenile Probation Helps Students Succeed in School, Prevents Return to Justice System

UT Health Professor Lex Frieden Worked Closely with President George H. W. Bush to Pass the ADA

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Fox News 26 Houston: The man who worked closely with President George H.W. Bush to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act is still doing amazing work here in Houston. The professor became good friends with the president. “I had the opportunity to know him very well,” says UTHealth BioMedical Informatics Professor Lex Frieden. He not only got… Continue reading UT Health Professor Lex Frieden Worked Closely with President George H. W. Bush to Pass the ADA