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GCPD released the 2022-2023 Policy Recommendations Report for the 87th Texas Legislature. The Committee is charged with releasing a report each biennium containing recommendations to the Governor and Legislature regarding state laws and policies related to people with disabilities. This report offers guidance on issues and challenges facing Texans with disabilities and GCPD's recommendations to best address those challenges. The recommendations cover ten targeted policy issue areas related to access, communications, education, emergency management, employment, health, housing, recreation, transportation, and veterans. Some of the important issues addressed include:
- Attracting and retaining personal care attendants covered by state Medicaid waiver programs;
- The need for sustained investments in our state's Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program to ensure our youngest Texans get the services they need in a critical developmental period;
- ECI services reduce children's need for future special education and rehabilitation services and ensure they can reach their fullest potential.
- A continued recommendation to establish and invest in a Support Service Provider/Co-Navigator (SSP/CN) program for DeafBlind Texans;
- The Helen Keller National Center estimates Texas is home to approximately 2500 DeafBlind individuals over the age of 18. A formalized SSP/CN program is critical to empowering a population with intense support needs.
- Supports and services provided to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), such as:
- modernizing the State Supported Living Center (SSLC) system as recommended in the SSLC Draft Long-range plan; and
- providing access to culturally-competent care for people with IDD experiencing a mental health crisis by including specialty services units in the state hospital system redesign.
GCPD believes one of the most important facets of our work is identifying and amplifying the voices of Texans with disabilities who may otherwise be overlooked. The policy recommendations were carefully considered and developed through input from public testimony at our quarterly meetings, listening sessions with disability stakeholder groups, staff research, and input from committee-directed interagency workgroups. In a year marked by intense challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, it is all the more vital we continue to fully support and serve Texans with disabilities. While state resources will be more limited than anticipated, this report identifies vital investments in programs and services that can make the most significant impact on the future of Texans with disabilities. GCPD encourages members of the Texas Legislature to support the many accessibility policy recommendations within this report that will help people with disabilities.
To echo Governor Greg Abbott's remarks on the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, all Texans are encouraged ". . .to reflect on our past achievements as well as remain focused on the work that remains before us to create a fully inclusive and accessible state for Texans with disabilities. Through continued commitment to fairness and equal opportunity, we can empower all Texans to rise above their circumstances and achieve their dreams."
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