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  • A man in a suit speaks to another person across a table. Text reads: One story, big impact: Mental health advocacy in jail. The background is green with yellow and white accent lines.
    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 […]

  • A woman with Down syndrome in a red shirt speaks during a meeting. Text reads, SUPPORT THAT WORKS: CALLIES STORY, and a quote from her mom thanks care coordinators for helping her live a normal, active life.
    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 […]

  • Two hands gripping prison bars. The image contains a text box with a headline about a settlement in a Tennessee deaf prisoner case. The Tennessee Department of Correction commits to providing necessary technology and services for equal access.
    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 […]

  • A person signs a document at a wooden table with a gavel. The text reads: UPDATE: DRT and Partners File Lawsuit Against Tennessee. Disability Rights TN logo is in the corner.
    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 […]

  • Illustration of an airplane interior with a Breaking News banner. A red Update stamp overlays it. Below, text reads, DOT issues new airline rule focused on protections for airline passengers with disabilities.
    December 18, 2024

    New Protections Announced for Airline Passengers with Disabilities

    Visit the site with the press release here. Newly released final rule is the biggest expansion of rights for passengers with disabilities in a generation  Earlier this year, DOT issued a record-breaking penalty against American Airlines for unsafe and undignified treatment of passengers with disabilities  WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today announced that the U.S. Department […]

  • A collage with three people smiling at the top, the text DEAL 2024 RECAP in the middle, and a large group of diverse individuals posing together at the bottom in a conference setting.
    December 12, 2024

    DEAL 2024 Recap: The Best Bits

    On October 11, Disability Rights Tennessee gathered once again with friends, advocates, colleagues, and new faces at the Music City Center in Nashville to celebrate a significant milestone: 10 years of the Disability Employment Awareness Luncheon (DEAL). This annual event is a way for the community to come together and hear personal stories and best […]

  • December 11, 2024

    2024 Expect Employment Report

  • October 16, 2024

    Disability Rights Tennessee Announces New Executive Director, Anna Bass

    View Press Release in PDF – English NASHVILLE, TN. – Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) is thrilled to announce that Anna Bass will move into the position of Executive Director in March 2025. Earlier this year, James DiMarco, DRT Board of Directors President, announced that after 12 years of bold leadership, Disability Rights Tennessee’s Executive Director, […]

  • 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 […]