For those of us that use personal attendant services, we all know that getting our services set up takes a bit of time.  It may take around 2 to 3 months at the most. However, for someone that is a vent user, 3 months can make a difference between staying in the community and becoming institutionalized.  Fortunately, Ms. L had her family to help her while she waited for her services to begin.

Ms. L contacted ADAPT of Texas/PACT for help in getting her attendant services set up due to an excessive amount of time the state and home care agency were taking. Below is a history (in her words) of the length of time it took while she worked alone.

 2013-Applied in Dallas area

January 2015-moved to San Antonio and had to reapply

November 2016-notified slot was available but was temporarily out of state and could not accept. Asked to be put at back of waiting list, but was not clear if that happened. Turns out I WAS NOT put back on waitlist

December 30, 2019-asked to be placed back on waitlist

August 2020-inquired about waitlist status to find out I was booted off the waitlist with no notice. With some advocating, I was put back on the waitlist. As of August 30, 2020, there are 40 people ahead of me on waitlist in Region 8, but I desperately need services now.

PACT started pushing the state and home care agency in August. Movement to obtain Ms. L’s attendant services began to happen quickly. Happily, Ms. L started receiving her personal attendant services in November 2020.  Thank you PACT and ADAPT of Texas!

Certainly, Ms. L’s experience shows how red tape can get in the way of a person with a disability getting what they need to live independently.  During the whole experience, the agency and the state were pointing their finger at each other. Yes, we are human, and errors happen, but for people with disabilities human error can cost someone their freedom or even their life.

Do not work alone. Advocacy works best working with others.  We are so grateful this story has a successful conclusion.

If you or someone you know need assistance, be part of the solution!

Contact PACT at ADAPT of Texas at 512.442.0252.

by Cathy Cranston 

Austin, TX, Earlier this summer organizers from ADAPT of Texas joined a workgroup with the Governors Committee on Persons with Disabilities to address a lack of equitable service being provided to persons using fixed-framed wheelchairs (Electric chairs and scooters) in TNC rides (UBER-type service).

TNCs claim to be a platform that connects people to ride services and not a transportation provider. As early as 2015 WAVs (wheelchair accessible vehicles) were available on these platforms in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. Outside of these cities, TNCs refer people with disabilities who request a WAV ride to alternate providers such as taxicabs or paratransit services, if available. Paratransit service is not a viable alternative to TNC service for most passengers with disabilities. Passengers with disabilities must go through a complex and lengthy eligibility process to potentially receive paratransit services in their community. Service areas, destinations and operating times are limited compared to TNC service. Paratransit is not a demand-response service and rides must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Texans who use fixed-framed wheelchairs have found on-demand ride services are unreliable.

Hopefully the report of this workgroup will be available to the public soon, and improvements to existing service can be made during this legislative session.

By Nancy Crowther

.In Oct., 2020 the Texas Behavioral Health Council, which oversees the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, at the suggestion of the Governor of Texas changed its CODE OF CONDUCT to no longer prohibit social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

ADAPT of Texas sent out the following press release:

ADAPT of Texas Calls for Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners to Resign

ADAPT of Texas is disgusted by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners (TSBSWE) total capitulation to Governor Abbott’s demand that the Board change its code of conduct to allow social workers to discriminate by refusing to serve people based on disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.  ADAPT calls on the Board to resign.

“What the hell is good is a social worker if they can just say ‘I don’t serve your kind’?” asked Heiwa Salovitz.

Social workers help people with disabilities with many aspects of their lives, especially when people first become disabled or experience some transition in their lives related to their disabilities.  They help people apply for benefits and services, they help with hospitalizations and discharges from institutions, with finding housing, with protective services, with behavioral health (such as addiction rehabilitation, counseling), with obtaining food assistance, with re-entry after an injury related to military service, and so much more.  In many instances they serve as gatekeepers to and from these vital services.

“The fact that the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers is against this move, shows the absurdity of this maneuver” said Nancy Crowther, ADAPT Organizer and social work degree holder.  “They might as well stick a knife in the heart of the profession” she added.

“If this is the caliber of people examining and licensing social workers in Texas, they should all resign” said ADAPT member Stephanie Thomas.   

While people with differing gender identities and sexual orientation are not necessarily people with disabilities, ADAPT of Texas thinks their inclusion in this license to discriminate is equally appalling.  When you need a social worker in your life you are almost always at a vulnerable point in your life and to have Social Workers licensed to ban you based on labels is terrible policy. Has Texas really sunk this low?  I hope not” said Jennifer McPhail.  “This Board needs to go.”

~ ~ ~

Epilogue: The State Board of Social Work Examiners met on Monday, October 19^th in response to the outrage brought on when they voted to accept the Governor’s request to exclude protections of persons with disabilities and the LGMBQ community. Social workers themselves were outraged and spoke out against the change. The fury and outrage filled the public participation capacity (500) of the ZOOM aired public meeting. After a closed-door session, the verdict was revised to reverse the position and decline the recommendation of the governor.  ONWARD IN POWER!

by Nancy Crowther