Dear Friend of DRI,       

Several years ago, DRI investigated and exposed the horrendous conditions of thousands of poor and disabled children living in institutions in Serbia. So egregious were the abuses, that we called what we had uncovered torture. The United Nations’ top experts agreed with us and DRI led an international campaign to end torture in Serbian orphanages. As a result, Serbia banned new placements in orphanages, supporting families instead.

DRI President Laurie Ahern is the winner of the $100,000 Encore Purpose Prize in recognition of her pioneering work to protect the human rights of children with disabilities detained in institutions. Laurie has been with DRI for over a decade, and has served as DRI's President since 2009. 

Each year, Encore.org awards the Purpose Prize to six outstanding individuals who are using their encore years - the time of traditional retirement - to undertake significant social impact projects. 

Mexico City – July 22, 2015 – Today, Disability Rights International (DRI) released a report No Justice: Torture, Trafficking, and Segregation in Mexico. The report reveals the existence of a “blacklist” of institutions for children and adults with disabilities known to be abusive by Mexico City authorities – who nevertheless allow these facilities to continue operating without interference.

DRI's Founder and Executive Director Eric Rosenthal is the 2015 recipient of the John Phillips Award from Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. Each year, the John Phillips Award recognizes an Exeter alum whose life demonstrates the school's ideal of goodness and knowledge united in noble character and usefulness to mankind. 

Disability Rights International will be profiled on The Visionaries, the award-winning public television series, hosted by acclaimed actor Sam Waterston, formerly of Law & Order. 

Priscila Rodriguez, director of the Women's Rights Institute of the Americas in DRI's Mexico office, was interviewed by Univision's Sunday morning public affairs show Al Punto. 

Watch the segment (in Spanish) on Univision's website.