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New local group Human Rights Dallas seeks partnerships on disability rights and public education
Summary
Co-founders of Human Rights Dallas introduced the nonprofit’s mission, described planned public programming this fall, and said they will partner with the Commission on Disabilities on an ADA-focused event.
Dr. Rick Halperin and Hadi Jawad, co-founders of the recently launched nonprofit Human Rights Dallas, spoke at the Dallas Commission on Disabilities meeting and described plans for public programming this fall focused on disability rights and public education.
Halperin, who identified himself as visually impaired, said the group formed in July 2024 to "build a culture of human rights in Dallas using education and the arts." He described two current concerns—reports of assaults of passengers with disabilities on DART-contracted vehicles and a recent court ruling about placement of people with severe disabilities in nursing homes—and said Human Rights Dallas will hold a panel event in the fall to raise public awareness about disability rights and the historical context of the Americans with Disabilities Act. "We are going to have an event later this fall, a panel discussion to help people stop saying I didn't know," Halperin said, and said the program would be free and open to the public, likely hosted at Southern Methodist University or a Dallas Public Library location.
Hadi Jawad described the group's mission and early activity, saying Human Rights Dallas launched last July and has organized about 15 public events in its first year. "Dignity for all, y'all is our tagline," Jawad said. He said the group plans to convene panels including members of disability communities and a disability-rights lawyer to discuss legal protections and history.
Commission leadership thanked the speakers and expressed interest in collaborating. Chair Call Connolly (Mayor appointee) and other commissioners said the Commission on Disabilities looks forward to partnering on the ADA-focused panel and other community engagement.
Human Rights Dallas told commissioners they have been coordinating with the city's Human Rights Office and with Christopher Graves, the city’s new human-rights officer. The presenters asked staff to circulate event details when they are finalized; they did not provide a final date or venue during the meeting.
