News
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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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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 […]
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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 […]
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December 11, 2024
2024 Expect Employment Report
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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, […]
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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 […]