Families and advocates for disabled Texans pushing for caregiver pay raise
A state Medicaid program pays caregivers of intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals living in community-based homes. Families, advocates and providers want lawmakers to increase that hourly pay.
Texas families could lose at-home nursing under stricter Medicaid rule
Some children who receive private duty nursing, a more continuous type of medical care in their homes, could lose their ability to live at home if an HHSC rule change goes into effect.
A womanโs fight to escape the hospital shows Medicaidโs limits for disabled Texans
Staffing shortages and mismanaged care can delay when Texans on some Medicaid programs are discharged from hospitals. This can cost the state more and take a toll on patients and caregivers.
With Texas births rising post-Roe, disability advocates say child services need bolstering
Texasโ fertility rose after new abortion restrictions, raising concerns that special education and specialized health care will be stretched even thinner.
Disabled Texans face more barriers to accessing abortion
Few organizations track the number of disabled individuals trying to access abortion, but abortion providers and groups that help assist Texans obtain out-of-state abortions say they are falling through the cracks.
โPeople arenโt thinking about usโ: How new ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates impacts medically-vulnerable Texans
The ban applies to all private businesses, including health care facilities like hospitals, which can jeopardize the health of those with compromised immune systems or other underlying conditions.
Inaccessible private schools or underfunded public schools: Texasโ disabled students have few options with no change in sight
The few private schools that offer special education for disabled students have strict conditions and are clustered in metropolitan areas.
Disability advocates argue against school vouchers in Texas Senate hearing
The Senateโs main โschool choiceโ bill would prioritize vouchers for children with disabilities, among other underprivileged groups. But advocates and parents raised concerns that voucher recipients who choose private school would no longer be protected by federal law.
Laws have changed around parking for disabled Texans over the years. Hereโs how it looks today.
How have new laws changed accessible parking? How are violations enforced? Hereโs what you need to know about parking for people with disabilities.
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill that would give people with disabilities new option to vote by mail
The bipartisan legislation was long sought by advocates for disabled voters, including some of the governorโs own allies.
First Lady meets with Exceptional Family Member Program families at JBSA Lackland
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited JBSA Lackland today to have a roundtable discussion with military families who have children with disabilities. They wanted to talk about how to better support those families.
Texans with disabilities fear new restrictions on voting help could mean criminal charges at the polls
Disability rights advocates say the state has not provided enough guidance about the type of help people with disabilities can and cannot receive under new voting laws passed last year.
![Students with disabilities file federal lawsuit against Texas Gov. Abbott, TEA over mask mandate ban](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/kOA-2Fctk9mNtNdi8fBc2HsFRFw=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UFZUGNCHHFEBPI5VUTRRMMZRQM.jpg)
Students with disabilities file federal lawsuit against Texas Gov. Abbott, TEA over mask mandate ban
Disability Rights Texas filed the lawsuit on behalf of 14 child plaintiffs saying the ban violates federal anti-discrimination law under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
![Texans with disabilities fear voting will get harder for them as special session on GOP restrictions nears](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/jwOr8Yo5Jqpwkc9Bff4N5a4lquw=/800x536/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KUZKG6W26VHHVE7JCI5BWSCHWI.jpg)
Texans with disabilities fear voting will get harder for them as special session on GOP restrictions nears
The extent to which Republicansโ proposed voting restrictions might affect voters of color has received much attention, but Texans with disabilities also face the prospect of new barriers to the ballot box.
![Disability community sends message to Texas lawmakers over proposed voting restrictions](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/6k2l21OopgdjjmsXzLq8ujTCe5o=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-24-2021/t_31757c8b774d4601b93f42e65755c9ef_name_image.jpg)
Disability community sends message to Texas lawmakers over proposed voting restrictions
Proposed voting restrictions that could be resurrected during the upcoming special session starting July 8 led several disability organizations to send a statement to Texas lawmakers.
![โWe need to be at the tableโ: Texans with disabilities worry changes in legislative process during the pandemic could shut them out](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/D0zl1EhQviJle6pdXkJhSDD_NQ0=/1200x803/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6EKSIHTHCBE7BJSF3MQVZUF46A.jpg)
โWe need to be at the tableโ: Texans with disabilities worry changes in legislative process during the pandemic could shut them out
Because of the pandemic, access to the state Capitol could be limited this year: Many Texans with disabilities, including Broussard, do not want to risk testifying in person. With uncertain rules on virtual testimony, and at such an urgent and precarious time, many worry pandemic process changes could leave them out of an all-important session focused on managing a virus that has killed people with disabilities at uniquely high rates. Instead, advocates for those with disabilities and some lawmakers worry that high-profile lobbyists will have the ears of the policy makers if virtual testimony is limited and in-person visits remain the norm. โWe would have a lot more concerns if we had any clue what they were going to do,โ said Jeff Miller, a policy specialist at Disability Rights Texas. โWe always need to be at the table when you're making big decisions,โ Broussard said, directing his request toward lawmakers.
![โOur rights are at riskโ: Texas rule allowing social workers to turn away LGBTQ+ clients, people with disabilities draws criticism](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/mY5Wy3Vu8ujnrJhVF1MKdIHAnTw=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-16-2020/t_27ba1ef6b0c44926a68b4baee14dd709_name_image.jpg)
โOur rights are at riskโ: Texas rule allowing social workers to turn away LGBTQ+ clients, people with disabilities draws criticism
SAN ANTONIO โ A change in policies has led to criticism of the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners after it announced Monday that social workers will now be able to turn away LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. According to the stateโs current law, a social worker can face disciplinary action if they refuse services to clients based on religion, race or age. While these changes reflect the agencyโs duty to duly enacted statutes, the Board and Council recognize the importance of legal protection from discrimination. Brown also serves as a licensed social worker. Brown said she believes social work is about adapting to others' needs, and refusing to help is detrimental.
![Ways to improve homeschooling for kids with disabilities](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/mklGfp9j4lZvIRETLS3KFrlZnr4=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/07-13-2020/t_7b16d4d2c4bd40e4bb9a0e4dbe53ea20_name_image.jpg)
Ways to improve homeschooling for kids with disabilities
School from home has become commonplace since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but with many children it can be a real struggle. With roughly one in five kids in the U.S. having learning and attention issues, it can be very difficult to learn using a virtual platform. A study was done by researchers to better understand the online learning experience of students with disabilities and interviewed parents with children in third through eighth grade. Parents reported that online education requires a significant time commitment to help structure childrens time, to help implement learning activities, and to problem solve when issues arise. If you have any questions about remote learning for special education students, click here.
![New baseball league gives those with disabilities, autism a chance to play, learn life-lessons](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/NyTYp0Il3NENvNMfzeEQy93DjCs=/1280x850/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FS2SHQBHZZFY7DADTHPQX2QMVQ.jpg)
New baseball league gives those with disabilities, autism a chance to play, learn life-lessons
SAN ANTONIO Alternative baseball is a newer baseball league that gives teens and adults with disabilities and autism the opportunities to play the sport, and learn important life lessons. Growing up, I still faced a lot of social stigma, what one with autism can and cannot accomplish, Taylor Duncan said. Duncan started Alternative Baseball in 2016 to help those with disabilities and autism break the stereotype and become more included. This is a great opportunity to learn as much as possible about what we can do, not what we cant. We want to start something in San Antonio, if we could find the coach manager to do so.