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Protecting and Advocating for
the Rights of People with Disabilities in Texas
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As immigrant children are separated from their parents and taken to detention facilities, DRTx will use its P&A authority to monitor centers in Texas
to ensure the safety of those with disabilities.
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In this edition:
- For the Children: DRTx Monitors Immigration Centers
- A Thousand Words: Check Out Our New Instagram Page
- The Heat is On: Disability Voter Registration Week Events
- Because of the ADA: Americans Share Law's Impact on Lives
- Know Your Rights, Use Your Voice
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For the Sake of the Children:
DRTx Monitors Immigration Detention Centers
Migrant children with disabilities separated from their families at the border may be particularly vulnerable in detention facilities without their parents or caretakers.
DRTx advocates are in the process of monitoring several Texas immigration detention facilities to ensure that children with disabilities are protected from abuse and neglect.
We would like to thank all of the people that have raised and/or given money on Facebook on their own initiative to help us with this effort and our other important protection and advocacy work. In last 6 weeks our supporters donated nearly $13,000 to this cause! We are overwhelmed by your generosity and extremely grateful.
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A Picture Paints a Thousand Words:
DRTx Now On Instagram
On the new
Disability Rights Texas Instagram page we won't be posting selfies (we know you're disappointed) but we will be posting stories about our clients and other important news and information that you need to know. So if you're not a Facebooker or Tweeter, or even if you are, you can now show us some love by following us on
Instagram and liking and commenting on our posts.
And since July 26 is the 28th anniversary of the ADA, we have a goal to get to to 280 followers by the end of July - can you help us get there? #ADA28 #disabilityrights
@disabilityrightstex
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The Heat is On:
Disability Voter Registration Week Events
It's mid-summer, and the weather is scorching in Texas. But that's not the only thing that's heating up. The week of July 16-20 is National Disability Voter Registration Week, and DRTx is hosting a full line-up of events along with our other REV UP partners:
July 17 - Statewide Voting Rights Webinar
July 18 - Press Conference and Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training
July 19 - Voter Registration Event at Amy's Ice Cream/Phil's Ice House
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Because of the ADA:
People Share Stories of a Law That Changed Lives
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will turn 28 in just a few days on July 26, 2018. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Our friends at
www.ADAlegacy.com asked people how the law has impacted their lives, here are some of the responses they received.
Because of the ADA...
"I am able to use public transportation with my best friend, who uses a wheelchair to get around." (
Elizabeth -
Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
"My job accommodates me and I can continue to work and be of service to others." (
Wendy -
Claxton, California)
"I am able to hold a job, travel throughout the country, and lead a full, independent, and happy life." (
Peter -
Novato, California)
"My 55-year-old disabled brother has worked for 35 years and lives on his own!" (
Marguerite Simon -
Springfield, Illinois)
Read what other people had to say, or share your thoughts at:
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Know Your Rights, Use Your Voice
Want to learn about your rights in a particular area so you can advocate for yourself? Check out our resources for the following issues:
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Did a friend forward this newsletter to you? Click the box below to subscribe now and receive it directly to your Inbox:
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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:
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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.
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