Protecting and advocating for the rights of Texans with disabilities - because all people have dignity and worth. 
diverse people with disabilities
The Rights Times
Spring 2017 Newsletter
In this edition:
  • What matters to you? Let us know...and you might win a prize!
  • Months after the storm, Harvey victims still need assistance
  • March is a great time to take a side by side selfie
  • Public input requested by federal government on our PAIMI program
  • Check out our newest website resources
what s important to you note pinned on the bulletin board

What Matters to You? Take Our Survey and Let Us Know
Every four years, Disability Rights Texas asks people with disabilities, their families and friends, disability advocates, and others to tell us about things that are most important to people with disabilities in their everyday lives. You can help by taking a few minutes to complete this brief survey by March 31.

And once you complete the survey, you can enter a drawing to win a free gift card! There will be a winner each month while the survey is active.

Go to www.DRTx.org/survey for more info.
Helping Hurricane Victims Long After the Storm
Hurricane Harvey left behind catastrophic destruction last year, tying with Katrina as the costliest storm in modern U.S. history.

Many people with disabilities were left vulnerable as they faced c omplex and urgent legal issues and questions.

In the days and weeks after the storm, Disability Rights Texas' team of dedicated pro bono volunteer attorneys were quick to offer help in partnership with Lone Star Legal Aid by providing information and short-term assistance and advice to people with disabilities in the Houston area.

The effort succeeded in reachi ng hundreds of people with disabilities in shelters across Houston immediately after the storm by informing them of their rights and legal options for obtaining accessible temporary housing and FEMA assistance to replace lost wheelchairs, motorized scoo ters, and other critical medical devices and equipment.

More recently, DRTx volunteer lawyers partnered with Houston Volunteer Lawyers and the State Bar of Texas to offer free legal resources to people with disabilities across Texas that remain displaced and continue to seek legal help in the aftermath of storm.

If you or someone you know in Texas needs disability legal assistance due to Hurricane Harvey, please call us at 1-800-252-9108.

photos of people together with hashtag sidebysideTX

Take a Side By Side Selfie
March is Developmental Disability (DD) Awareness Month. Take a look around and you will see that people with developmental disabilities are your  co-workers, neighbors, classmates, and more, 

Join our DD awareness month social media campaign by using the hashtag #SideBySideTX and posting a photo of you doing life side by side on your favorite social media site.
Federal Funders Request Input on DRTx PAIMI Program
On April 3-5, 2018, representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program will visit Disability Rights Texas, the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System for the State of Texas, in Austin.
 
SAMHSA/CMHS invites you to send written comments about the PAIMI Program services and activities conducted by Disability Rights Texas. 
 
Please email your comments to: PAIMI@samhsa.hhs.gov

New DRTx Online Self-Advocacy Resources

Did a friend forward this newsletter to you? Click the box below to subscribe now and receive it directly to your Inbox:

Subscribe
 to our newsletter
Need Help?
If you are a Texan with a disability who believes your rights have been violated, please call our Intake Line at 1.800.252.9108 or our Sign Language Video Intake Line at 1.888.362.2851. Intake hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Online Intake Available 24/7
Can't call during our regular intake hours or can't get through due to high call volume? Click here  
to complete our online intake form available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

DRTX Quick Links:
Our Website: 
Disability Rights Texas (previously named Advocacy Inc.) is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) 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. Visit www.DRTx.org for more information.
GET SOCIAL WITH US!

  Like me on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View our videos on YouTube   View on Instagram