Benito

worked with DRTx staff to obtain safety disclaimers needed for a wheelchair lift

Benito had been traveling to and from work in the same van for many years before it started to break down, and he realized he needed to invest in a new vehicle. Because of disabilities resulting from having polio as a child, Benito uses a wheelchair and needed assistance paying for a wheelchair lift for the new van he purchased. He applied for financial support from the Texas Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) for the lift. Based on an outdated document DARS obtained from Ford stating that a wheelchair lift was unsafe for Benito’ new van model, DARS denied his request for services. Benito contacted Disability Rights Texas, and his case was assigned to a staff advocate. The advocate found an updated safety disclaimer from Ford saying that it was, in fact, safe to install a wheelchair lift in his new van. After receiving the new safety disclaimer, DARS reversed its denial of services and Benito expects to receive his wheelchair lift soon so that he continue living and working independently.