FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For More Information Contact: Josue Rodriguez, 915.449.3834,josue.adapt@yahoo.com
Cathy Cranston, 512.650.6543, flacacata@aol.com
TIRED OF WAITING! CRISIS IN TEXAS!
ADAPT/PACT MEMBERS BEGIN VIGIL AT GOV’S MANSION
Since 2016 Texas ADAPT/ PACT have been requesting a meeting with Governor Abbott to resolve
the issues that continue to be barriers for community living for thousands of Texans with disabilities.
Time and time again, our civil and human rights have been brushed under the rug.
Today, May 14, 2024, at 1PM Texas ADAPT and Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas (PACT)
will meet at 1010 Lavaca Street, across from the west side of the governor’s mansion. We are here to
call out Governor Abbott’s neglect and lack of making people with disabilities and their workforce a priority. Governor Abbott meet with Texas ADAPT Chapters and PACT.
Our lives are imperiled without attention to the growing deficit in the pay of the attendant workforce. Additionally, beyond the human suffering and death caused by his apathy, the governor has allowed
greater costs by requiring consumers and attendants to use emergency room visits and nursing home admissions to survive because of these inadequate wages to bolster recruitment and retention of the community workers. His bully pulpit has gone silent to the disaster that has developed over decades.
Abbott must meet with Texas ADAPT/ PACT and solve the problems affecting people with disabilities. Problems such as:
• A depleted home and community-based system.
• Low wages and benefits for community attendants.
• The inadequate system put in place to fix or obtain new Durable Medical Equipment.
As a person with a disability himself, one would assume that Governor Abbott would be responsive to the struggles that people with disabilities go through. However, we know this is not the case with the Governor.
the heat was pounding as Ron got sprayed down with a misting bottle. Photo and sort by Jay Janner, Austin American Statesman
“Finding an attendant is nearly impossible,” said Ron Cranston, a consumer-directed services participant of a state-funded attendant program. “My attendant is overworked, underpaid and has no respite at this time. We need to meet with Governor Abbott without delay!” #WhereIsAbbott
Story in the Statesman click here. Lots of great pictures and more
DAY 2 by Cathy Cranston
25 members of ADAPT OF TX, DESERT ADAPT and PACT continued the wait to meet with ABBOTT outside the Gov. Mansion. They started yesterday kicking off a vigil in their plight to meet with ABBOTT. Gov. ABBOTT of all people should understand the urgency and necessity of home and community based attendant services, the need for a Livable Wage, $20/hr., and the need to have a reliable, well maintained wheelchair and other durable medical equipment.
Presently there are approximately 300,000 Community Attendants who work for Texas’
aging and disabled community.
Up to this point, ADAPT/PACT has yet to meet face to face with the Governor.
If you care about this issue call Gov. Abbott’s office at 512.463.200, 512.463.1828 and tell him to meet with ADAPT/PACT.