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Can we be honest? The year didn’t go as planned for Disability Rights Texas. That’s probably true for many of you as well.
We saw budget cuts leading to staff reductions and making it harder for us to keep up with the record demand for our services.
You faced (and are still facing) cost of living increases and maybe loss of benefits like Medicaid and SNAP.
We think the following recap of the top disability rights news stories over the past year tells a story of both the triumph and trials we all experienced in 2025.
Fifteen-year-long class action lawsuit ends in favorable ruling for our clients
According to a judge's ruling in June, Texas has been violating federal law for decades by sequestering individuals with severe disabilities in poorly run nursing homes without offering them legally required alternative living options and services in the community.
While ADA turns 35, agencies like DRTx face slashed federal funding
This AP news story from July reports on the administration’s budget proposal that would zero out funds earmarked for three of our major funding streams. DRTx Executive Director Sean Jackson is quoted in the article.
Lawsuit dropped after city revises disaster plan
In November, after two years of collaborative efforts between DRTx plaintiffs and the City of San Antonio, our plaintiffs dismissed the lawsuit we filed on their behalf after Winter Storm Uri. That's because the City has significantly revised its Emergency Operation Plan to consider the needs of residents with disabilities.
Blind worker receives justice after job discrimination
In April, we secured a successful resolution in a disability discrimination case we filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a Texas woman who is blind. Our client received financial compensation, and the company agreed to provide internal training and develop a plan to ensure future accommodation requests are handled appropriately and respectfully.
DRTx celebrates these and other victories, and we will keep pushing through the setbacks as long as we have YOU to stand with us!
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