Photo of Stephanie Duke

Stephanie Duke

  • Hosted by Disability Rights Texas
  • Sponsored by Disaster Resilience Program
  • Service location Houston, Texas
  • Law school Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
  • Issue area Disability Rights, Disaster Recovery, Disaster Response and Preparedness
  • Fellowship class year 2020
  • Program Disaster Resilience Program

The Project

Stephanie worked to remedy discriminatory practices, throughout the preparedness, response, and recovery phases of disasters and emergencies, which unlawfully deny or create unreasonable barriers for individuals with disabilities in accessing and providing an equitable opportunity of benefiting from disaster and emergency services.

Inequities experienced and seen during and after a disaster are a direct correlation to marginalized and vulnerable populations not accounted for in preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. All entities providing resources and services to prepare, respond and recover must ensure the needs of individuals with disabilities are accounted for, as well as accommodated to ensure an equitable opportunity to benefit from all programs and activities.

Fellowship Highlights

Stephanie provided direct services and resources to individuals with disabilities across the state who experienced discriminatory practices in disaster and emergency services. She educated the legal community about the legal issues specific to individuals with disabilities throughout all phases of disasters and emergencies. Stephanie also pursued impact litigation based on systemic issues the disability community faces in disaster and emergencies.

Stephanie previously served as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Disaster Recovery Legal Corps, where she provided direct legal services for two years and saw first-hand the inequities experienced by individuals with disabilities. Disparities which exist prior to a disaster and emergency, are exacerbated by our failure to ensure equitable opportunities to prepare, survive, and recover from any tragedy.  Stephanie believes equitable opportunities are possible and will work to safeguard nondiscriminatory processes and mechanisms for marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Media

Civil Rights and Protections During the Federal Response to Hurricanes Harvey and María

Disaster-Related Trauma: Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Resilience

Current and Emerging Issues in Disaster Response: Legal Strategies and Practices for Helping Survivors

Disability Rights: Equal Access After a Disaster

New law requires wellness checks during crises for the medically fragile who depend on power

Meet the 2021 Class of Disaster Resilience Program Student Fellows

Equal Justice Works Raises Visibility of Role of Legal Aid in Disaster Response and Preparedness

Disaster Legal Aid Trainings: What You Need to Know About Applying for Disaster Housing Assistance

Disaster Legal Aid Trainings: Disaster Services and Accessibility within the American Red Cross

Better Disaster Prep for Texans Most at Risk" w. Stephanie Duke, Dis. Rights TX

Disaster Legal Aid Trainings: After a Disaster: ID Theft, Scams, and Insurance

Equal Justice Works Fellows Testify Before Texas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Regarding Hurricane Harvey Response

Supporting Communities with Disaster Resilience Lawyering

Equal Justice Works Fellows to Host Disaster Legal Aid Trainings

Power Restoration Continues As Texas Grid Expects To Emerge From 'Emergency Conditions'

They have chronic illnesses. Then, the power went out in Texas. 'It's been emotionally exhausting.'

Texas blizzard, blackouts are ‘immeasurably significant issue’ for individuals with persistent diseases, handicaps

LMU Law Review to Host Virtual Symposium "Disaster Lawyering in the Age of COVID"

Governor Abbott Appoints Ten To Task Force On Disaster Issues Affecting Persons Who Are Elderly And Persons With Disabilities

Develop Your Legal Skills by Supporting Disaster Survivors

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