Due to the ongoing pandemic the offices of ADAPT of Texas will remain closed indefinitely.  We are working from home and do occasionally come in to get mail, check phone messages, etc.  We are also holding ADAPT & PACT Big Meetings virtually via zoom.  If you would like to attend please let us know via email or phone.

If you are at risk for contracting CORONAVIRUS (and really, who isn’t) we strongly suggest you practice social distancing, wear a mask, and wash your hands frequently.  If you do not have a mask let us know, along with a way to get in touch, and we will send you one, as long as our supplies last.  

This video by the Texas advocates covers the essentials of how to keep safe.  Click here to see it.

Despite the state and city being on stay at home status because of the Coronavirus pandemic, a small band of ADAPT and PACT (Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas) members broke the directives from the state of Texas and city of Austin on April 28th . Wearing masks and gloves and staying at least 6 feet apart, we marched from the Capitol grounds, across the street to the Governor’s mansion. We had kept the numbers small to ensure our folks safety as much as possible.

The mansion itself is now surrounded by fortifications to keep the public out. However there is a small street on one side that only has stanchions to keep us off the street and of course a 10 ft. spiked metal fence walls for the mansion grounds themselves.  We formed up at one end of the street for our press conference for which one station turned out.  

We went to the Governor’s mansion to call attention to a problem he and everyone else has been ignoring for months now – many if not most – community attendants are not being supplied with gloves or masks or other PPE. to deliver to Gov Abbott a list of resource needs that Community Attendants require to do their job. 

Everyone is focused on nursing homes which, as most ADAPT folks could easily predict would happen, are turning into death traps.  They definitely do need attention – for prevention rather than counting the dead – but an equally important issue is those receiving services in the community.  Here in Texas approximately 300,000 Community Attendants provide Home and Community Based Services, HCBS, to approximately 200,000 people with disabilities and older Texans.  

They are the backbone of the state’s home and community-based services and yet they are not even being given sufficient masks, gloves and other basic equipment to provide for the safety of those they are assisting, let alone for themselves. .  There is no paid sick leave for these workers, so they can choose between going to work sick or not getting paid.  They get no health care coverage for these jobs yet they are expected to risk their health, if not their lives. 

After a month of writing, calling and emailing Governor Abbott and HHSC Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson, among others, ADAPT/PACT has gotten no response. 

The COVID-19 emergency has caused a shortage of Community Attendants, on top of the already existing short supply of these critical workers.  Those that are staying with the job are often having to work longer hours, yet they are not being paid over time.

“We respected all state and city COVID 19 rules by staying 6ft from each other, wearing masks and gloves” said Julie McConnell PACT member, “ If attendants like me are expected to go to work every day without any protection, this is the least the state of Texas can do.” 

“Gov Abbott and HHSC have ignored our multiple communications about the crisis in Recruiting and Retaining Community Attendants” said Cathy Cranston ADAPT/PACT Organizer.  “Hopefully he will pay attention now”.

In addition to these issues, we have heard of instances in other states where people were threatened with lose of their own ventilators if they went to the hospital, their personal ventilators being taken from them for other patients.  Also there have been stories of people with disabilities being deemed less worthy of being saved because of their disabilities.  

“This systemic ableism is completely unacceptable and we do not want practices like this in other states being followed here” said ADAPT member Nicky Boyte.  “This ableism is what is causing the crisis in nursing homes and we do not want to see it repeated in the community.”

Folks who drove by honked in support.

After the press conference the group marched through a hole in the stanchions and lined up in front of the Mansion. However, though a state trooper asked if we had a permit, no one would carry our message inside. 

Listed below are the Community Attendant needs ADAPT/PACT wants Gov Abbott to support.  He can use funding from the CARES Act and/or his Budget Execution authority to use the Rainy Day fund:

1. Outreach for more community attendants to fill in the increased shortage because of the COVID-19 emergency.
2. Classify community attendants as essential health care workers.
3. Make sure community attendants get adequate PPEs like gloves, masks and gowns.
4. Increase pay for Community Attendants including time and half for over time.
5. Pay for health care and sick leave.
6. Ensure you protect vent users, as well as all people with disabilities of any age, from any health care rationing based on their disability and/or age.
7. Suspend EVV, Electronic Visit Verification.
8. Meet with ADAPT/PACT.

This action was the first in a series of actions ADAPT/PACT will be doing to raise the issue out of the shadows and into the light.

For more information about PACT, click here.

To Our Austin-Travis County Community,

Austin Public Health has launched an online Enrollment Form for COVID-19 testing. The new public testing form will allow people to take an assessment to determine eligibility and schedule testing without a referral from a healthcare provider.

The enrollment form is available at AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

To access the form, click on the “Take Self-Assessment” button to create an account and complete a questionnaire listing your symptoms. If you meet the criteria you will be referred to testing. Completion of the online assessment will not guarantee referral to testing.

Austin Public Health will continue to prioritize healthcare workers, first responders and people at higher risk for developing severe symptoms. Testing continues to be by appointment-only and tests at the APH testing sites are FREE.

At first, the enrollment form will be available in English and Spanish with additional languages coming later.

 COVID-19 Information:

How the Online Form Works:

• Individuals must create an account at AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.
• The form asks several questions to determine the patient’s eligibility for a test. A person can fill out the form for someone who cannot do it themselves. This information is HIPAA-protected.
• If an individual is approved for a test, the portal will allow them to schedule the location, date and time for their drive-through testing appointment. Patients will only be seen in a vehicle.**
• The patient will receive a confirmation via phone, email or text with a QR code and instructions for the testing site within the same day. They will need to present an ID or the confirmation at testing.
• If the patient does not meet testing criteria, they will be able to complete the form at any time to try again (e.g. if their symptoms change the following days).
• Results will be available online in 3-4 days.

Those Who Have Difficulty Accessing or Completing the Form:

• Have another trusted person fill out the form.
• Those who do not have computer or internet access can call the nursing hotline at 512-972-5560 for assistance.

** Those Who Don’t Have Transportation:

• The public testing sites are set up for drive-through only. People without access to personal transportation should contact the nursing hotline at 512-972-5560 for assistance.

Additional Resources for Testing from Community Partners:

• CommUnityCare has additional testing resources in eastern Travis County. You can call their hotline at 512-978-8775. 9am to 12, 1pm to 4 pm Monday & Friday Barbara Jordan Elementary, Tuesday ACHOA 3801 Austin Colony Blvd. Wednesday Manor Senior High; Thursday Southeast Metro park. They will only test people with symptoms or if you’ve been in close contact with someone with the virus.  Testing is free for the uninsured, if you’re insured the company will be billed.  Walk up testing available.  

Please share with others. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

-Austin Public Health

The Coronavirus. Picture from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).This site has LOTS of local info, including a map you can look by zip code.  

• AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

The US Senate REALLY needs to hear from disability folks about including Sen Casey’s Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act. Here is the Facebook text and the email tool from Access Living:

SHARE!!! URGENT ACTION ALERT! The US Senate is working RIGHT NOW on the COVID-19 stimulus package. It is really, really important that YOU contact your US Senators to let them know that we need to have the items in Senator Bob Casey’s Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act, whether as part of the main bill or its own bill, either way. Please USE this action alert below and help get your friends and families to do it ASAP. A super huge thanks to the disability advocates who are working with the Senator and others (like Congresswoman Pressley) to fight for disability relief!

CLICK HERE TO SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR SENATORS

UPDATE: That bill just passed.  This didn’t get into that bill, but contact them anyway to get it in a future bill, cause this won’t be the last one.

HERE’s Some More Details about the Bill:

Why do we need the Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act?
More than 105 million Americans—or about 4 in 10 adults—are at heightened risk if infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including older adults, people with disabilities and those with underlying health conditions. The front-line workers and family caregivers who support these individuals also face increased risks, requiring additional resources and supports to protect their health and well-being.

What would the Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act do? The bill will address critical health and economic needs for older adults, people with disabilities, front-line workers and family caregivers. Specifically, the bill would:

• Promote home and community-based services and protect home health workers: Through Medicaid grants to States, the bill would provide funding to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities who need care at home can receive it. States need these additional, new dollars to minimize waiting lists for home and community-based services and to provide wage increases as well as overtime pay and paid sick, medical and family leave to home health workers. [Right now in Texas home care workers/attendants are paid about $8.11 per hour, and are often not even given GLOVES, let alone masks — which keep everyone safer.]
• Increase funding for nursing home surveys to promote infection control: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has deployed its armament of state inspectors to assess nursing facilities’ infection control practices as COVID-19 continues to spread. Well before COVID-19, these essential activities were already operating at a deficit, as the Trump Administration requested a $44.8 million increase for health facility surveys and inspections in FY2021. Emergency funds are needed to support CMS and States as they work to save lives and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
• Cover the cost of treatment for low-income seniors and boost the economy: The bill would leverage existing low-income assistance programs for people with Medicare to ensure seniors and people with disabilities living on low, fixed incomes can afford the treatment they need if diagnosed with COVID-19. Individuals living on incomes at or below roughly $19,000 who have limited savings would be auto-enrolled in assistance to cover the cost of their Medicare Part B premiums and cost-sharing.
• The bill would also enhance economic stimulus by putting Medicare premium dollars back in beneficiaries’ pockets. Seniors and people with disabilities would keep about $145 per month, allowing them to buy needed essentials, like food and medicine.
• Make sure seniors and people with disabilities have healthy food and other services at home: The bill would provide increased, emergency funding for programs that allow seniors and people with disabilities to remain healthy and safe at home—where the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urges they remain during the COVID19 outbreak. Funding would allow States and community-based providers to offer 3 meals a day, 7 days a week during the emergency; provide shelf-stable food to more seniors through the Senior Food Box program; provide respite care and other supports to family caregivers; support ombudsman programs that must transition to virtual services while nursing homes are locked down to limit the spread of COVID-19; and more.

https://www.facebook.com/Austin.TX.ADAPT/photos/pcb.1380370475480996/1380369972147713/?type=3&__tn__=HH-R&eid=ARCRr48IXboNltCHzKxO75zQcxfuLnpJRoVHTvo6OB7TVyo-EBwyGRj6x4F-Jm6dxVNgEOS-HPZqNn9Z&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA7suRj2UL5jjnh4QMWdpg92o8l82Mwh8FrOuUuMgMGWLX2uwv9CWzB7SkcpulwpfMOXkjV1nKGH_hi952Dx6yVUl-RrJ2wonhV66IZWlGjp3oBfTsYeU3i6TRZSbVSRCNQ0TcnNQivjaZZ93yVd5EJLW0eHQIG0Q1F_9Cgj92ikroeaZLmLvDsH2ou5iOC3r3CtDKgpTRd3pYcWZCfeaaor_4PBx5DXQuIffuxZwIF5CVZHgZP6JPLXWz37AITMoPwfaXFa6PYFoiyEvkTBIpDCF1kSr0dkA1Kj6ACezgpoAGT6G8FJK2RYzIU2v1RJ7mkBrQNn8UWLKooYb90-mKXBg

The day Coronavirus shutdown SXSW, ADAPT of Texas shutdown Uber in Austin!

In the last several months, since ADAPT of Texas settled their lawsuit against Uber, the WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) service has gone down the toilet.  People wait for hours while non-wheelchair using passengers are picked up within minutes.  Sometimes no one EVER comes to pick our folks up.  The App is giving folks issues too. Basically a pretty good service has been trashed. 

Austin ADAPT folks were sick and tired of this treatment.  So last Friday a delegation of our peeps went down to their offices to ask them what was up and let them know their lousy service was not OK with us.  

We rolled in to a very modern, lobby with video screen telling who was being picked up where (at least non-disabled folks) and exposed pipes in the ceiling and folks on laptops perched on barstool seats and helping callers.  But for all their support and monitoring they were clueless as to the problems our folks had been trying to report for weeks.  So we hung out while some mid-level manager took our demands and tried to get us an answer from above.  But Uber is apparently as unresponsive to their local management as they are to their customers who use wheelchairs. The powers that be remained hidden in their corporate cloud, apparently too afraid to face the situation.  No phone numbers, no names, no contact was given.  As 5 pm eastern time approached, we starting chanting and blowing our wheelchair horns — which sounded oddly appropriate in this loft type setting.  All the support staff left (no loss there, since they gave us no support) and the security guard began trying to control us.  No luck with that.  So eventually, while they couldn’t get through to the powers that be in Uber universe, they could get through to the police.  After a while two policemen showed up and we were escorted from the building.

But we are not done yet…  

 ADAPT of Texas and Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas (PACT) gathered at the Texas State Capitol on March 10^th in solidarity with other state ADAPT chapters that were doing similar actions in their states.  ADAPT of Texas/PACT were sending a message to Governor Abbott, Texas Legislators and HHSC Executive Commissioner Phillips that

“Block Grants Don’t Stack Up!”

In addition, there is a crisis in recruiting and retaining Community Attendants because of the low wages and no health insurance or other benefits.  Texas starts Medicaid and general revenue funded community attendants at $8.11 per hour.

Thousands of Texans with disabilities, (children, young adults, seniors) rely on Medicaid funded services and supports to be able to live/age in place in the community in the most integrated setting.

Texas has long waiting lists for HCBS, as well the largest number of state institutions in the country.

Once ADAPT of Texas/PACT finished chanting and flyering outside we then proceeded into the Capitol to the Governor’s office.  We all managed to get to the second floor.  As we were rounding the corner, the state trooper was closing the Governor’s office.  Nicky Boyte rolled fast to the door, but it was locked, she kept turning the knob.  Her persistence paid off.  It got the attention of the family that was still inside the office so they opened the door. Needless to say, the state trooper was not too happy. We were able to meet with his executive staff.  After a 15 minute meeting we then marched out and onto the next fortunate legislator.

We will update you once we have follow-up meetings with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and their staff.   

PACT Logo

Lyft has a policy to provide free rides to the polls for voters.  One problem: they had no wheelchair accessible rides.  So as soon as ADAPT of Texas found out about it, they sprang into action and won y’all in Austin a victory!

From: Lyft Austin <lyftaustin@lyft.com 

Sent: Monday, March 2, 2020, 5:48:02 PM CST

Subject: Super Tuesday (3/3/20) WAV Rides in Austin

Thank you [ADAPT] for connecting with our team. 

In partnership with Lone Star Transportation, Lyft is providing free Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) rides to the polls in Austin, Texas on Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020, from 7am to 7pm CST.

Please call Lone Star Transportation (512-323-0160) to schedule or request a free WAV ride to a polling location in Austin, Texas on March 3, 2020 between 7am and 7pm CST. Passengers with wheelchairs must identify to the dispatcher that they are requesting a WAV ride with Lyft. The dispatcher will provide all necessary information to the passenger and dispatch a Dodge Caravan with Lone Star branding.

Passengers requesting a WAV ride may schedule a ride (for pick up between 7am – 7pm CST) in advance for shorter wait periods (recommended), or call for on-demand service via a Lone Star dispatcher. Dispatchers are available 24/7 to schedule rides. Service wait periods will depend on demand and traffic patterns, so we recommend scheduling a pick up time in advance.

Valid only for WAV rides to polling locations within a 20-mile radius of downtown Austin on Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 7am – 7pm CST. Rides must end within 20 miles of the original pick up location. Offered rides are in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Offer is not intended to induce, nor is it conditioned on, the act of voting, or voting for or against any particular person or measure.

Thank you, Lyft

AND we say thank you to Lyft for correcting this wrong. Free rides to the polls is a right on thing to do!  Now, it’s time to make these wheelchair accessible rides a permanent option!.

“Vote as if your life depends on it—because it does!” Justin Dart, Jr., Texan, patriot, father of the ADA

Early voting ran through Feb. 28th and Election Day is March 3rd.  Your vote is needed! Aside from the Presidential primaries, all the members of the US House of Representatives, Senator Cornyn, State Representatives, State Senators, Judges, Sheriffs and more are all up for re-election.  REV UP Texas has information on voting and getting involved. Local elections can have more impact on your life, so don’t forget to go down the whole ballot.  

Want to know the presidential candidates’ positions on disability issues?  You can download that information from this REV UP site.  For more general information and other races, the League of Women voters puts out a voters guide, as do many local papers and community groups.  Vote 411 has info on your personal ballot, so you can plan your voting and get a head start, just click here.  The Texas Secretary of State’s office can help you find your polling place, or your County Clerk’s office can help.

The National ADAPT collective came to a decision last night to put out this statement. (ADAPT of Texas, Desert ADAPT and Gulf Coast ADAPT support this statement.) The attachment reads:

         National ADAPT

a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists… to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom

February 17, 2020

It is clear that, for some time now, Bruce Darling has not been acting in the best interests of ADAPT. 

Bruce Darling no longer represents, or speaks for, National ADAPT.

 Bruce Darling no longer is an organizer or leader for National ADAPT

 The ADAPT Collective