Protecting the rights of Tennesseans living with disabilities and/or mental illness.

Disability Rights Tennessee, Sanford Heisler Sharp, and the Youth Law Center File Lawsuit Against Tennessee for Illegal and Unconstitutional Neglect and Mistreatment of Vulnerable Youth

PDF Version of Press Release PDF Version of Complaint NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 26, 2024 — Attorneys from Disability Rights Tennessee, Sanford Heisler Sharp, and the Youth Law Center filed a class action complaint today challenging illegal and unconstitutional conditions in Tennessee’s juvenile justice facilities. The complaint alleges that the State of Tennessee, among other Defendants, […]

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Client Story – Joan Kite, TBI Survivor

Joan Kite, a two time Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivor shared her story with DRT’s Lee Sherwood and discussed her recovery journey and what it means to be an advocate.

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May 30, 2025

One Story, Big Impact: Mental Health Advocacy in Jail

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing SB’s story—a man with both a mental illness and disability who was incarcerated without the supports he needed. With help from Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT), SB received the care he deserved, and the jail adopted new policies to better serve all inmates. As we mark the 39th anniversary […]

May 28, 2025

Support That Works: Callie’s Story

Since 2018, Callie has been receiving TennCare/BlueCare ECF Choices services. Callie is a vibrant, 28-year-old with an ability to connect with others. Throughout school, Callie was quick to make friends and constantly impressed and inspired her teachers. Callie was such a light at school that when she graduated, several peers from her kindergarten class showed […]

March 5, 2025

Settlement Reached in Tennessee Deaf Prisoner Case

Settlement Reached in Tennessee Deaf Prisoner Case: Tennessee Department of Correction commits to provide necessary technology and services to ensure equal access. View press release in PDF – ENGLISH Media Contacts: Disability Rights Tennessee: Lee Sherwood, 615-490-3844, LeeS@DisabilityRightsTN.org Fox & Robertson: Amy Robertson, 303-917-1870, arob@foxrob.com Disability Rights Advocates: Madeleine J. Reichman, 332-217-2318, mreichman@dralegal.org Disability Law […]

December 18, 2024

Update on Class Action Lawsuit Against the State of Tennessee

As we close out the year, we wanted to bring you up to date on recent activity in the Disability Rights Tennessee lawsuit which is pending in Federal Court in the Middle District of Tennessee against the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”), the Tennessee Dept. of Education (“TDOE”) and others. The […]

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