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, […]

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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 […]

June 26, 2024

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

February 15, 2024

A Call to Action: Advancing Tennessee’s Juvenile Justice System to Strengthen Families, Communities, and Oversight

About the Report: What would it look like if Tennessee’s juvenile justice system prioritized strengthening families, connecting youth to their home communities, and creating safe environments that promote healing, growth, and being held accountable for one’s actions? Instead, Tennessee’s youth continue to suffer, primarily Black youth with disabilities. Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) and Youth Law […]

January 23, 2024

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.

View More News