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January 14, 2022
Five plaintiffs with counsel from Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) and Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC allege that the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DIDD), and Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS) discriminate against service recipients who are Deaf and use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate.
January 14, 2022
Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) has been monitoring Wilder Youth Development Center (Wilder), a Department of Children's Services (DCS) facility in Fayette County, Tennessee, for eighteen months. Media has been reporting on escape attempts and other disturbances at Wilder since September of 2019, but no one has stopped to ask, "Why?" Our investigations reveal abuses of youth in custody at Wilder to be at the root of these issues.
December 7, 2021
Information and resources about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Vaccine for people with disabilities.
December 3, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has adjusted the context of DRT’s work but not our core mission. Throughout 2021 our commitment to protecting the rights of Tennesseans has not wavered. Read about how DRT’s programs worked to advance our vision to keep Tennesseans free from harm, free to participate in the community, and free from discrimination in 2021.
November 30, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard for children with disabilities. COVID-19 has put them at higher risk for mental, physical, and academic harm. How can students who cannot wear masks in school remain safe through accomidations? Learn more.
November 30, 2021
Disability Rights Tennessee’s much beloved staff member Andrea (Cookie) Johnson is retiring in December 2021. Though the DRT staff are all sad to see her go, we are also thrilled for her next chapter.
October 26, 2021
When schools don’t follow IEPs and BIPs and/or inappropriately restrain, isolate, or suspend a student following a behavioral incident, students may be pulled from school and placed in juvenile facilities. This can spark a series of additional barriers to success in adulthood. DRT explores how the use of appropriate supports and services in schools can disrupt this school-to-prison pipeline.
October 14, 2021
A national report, Desperation without Dignity, was released today revealing widespread abuse and neglect at for-profit youth residential facilities. This report by the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) provides a broad review of investigations by several Protection & Advocacy agencies, including Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT).
September 24, 2021
Tennesseans with disabilities over the age of 18 can now get a FREE COVID-19 vaccine in their own home! Call DRT at 800-342-1660 to register today.