Equality. Inclusion. Justice.

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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September 11, 2024

Federal Court Rules Case Seeking Access to State Services for Deaf People in Tennessee Can Proceed

For Immediate Release Press Contacts:Meredith Weaver, MWeaver@DRALegal.org, 510-426-6834Lee Sherwood, LeeS@DisabilityRightsTN.org, 615-490-3844 September 11, 2024—Nashville, Tennessee—A federal judge in the Middle District of Tennessee has substantially denied the State of Tennessee’s attempt to dismiss claims by multiple plaintiffs against the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) (formerly the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) and […]

September 6, 2024

Governor Bill Lee Proclaims September 9-13, 2024 as Disability Voting Rights Awareness Week in Tennessee

View PDF of Press Release. NASHVILLE, TN Sept. 6, 2024 – Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed September 9-13, 2024, as Disability Voting Rights Awareness Week in Tennessee in recognition of National Disability Voting Rights Week. There are over 1.6 million Tennesseans living with disabilities and nearly 1 million are eligible voters. Disability Voting Rights Week […]

August 27, 2024

Disability Rights Tennessee Announces Retirement of Executive Director, Lisa Primm

View Press Release in PDF – English FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NASHVILLE, TN. – James DiMarco, Board of Directors President, announces that after 12 years of bold leadership, Disability Rights Tennessee’s (DRT’s) Executive Director, Lisa Primm, plans to retire in March 2025. The DRT Board of Directors has started the process to replace Primm by assembling […]

July 11, 2024

Federal Judge Finds Tennessee Department of Correction in Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for Failing to Provide Sign Language Interpreters and Videophones to Deaf Prisoners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts:Madeleine Reichman, Disability Rights Advocates, MReichman@DRALegal.org, 332-217-2318Lee Sherwood, Disability Rights Tennessee, LeeS@DisabilityRightsTN.org, 615-490-3488Al Elia, Disability Law United, AElia@DLUnited.org, 303-757-7901 FEDERAL JUDGE FINDS TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION IN VIOLATION OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND VIDEOPHONES TO DEAF PRISONERS NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 11, 2024 […]

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