COVID-19
Disability Rights Texas created this page to provide you with resources for people with disabilities impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It contains information from us as well as links to resources from trusted organizations.
We also want you to know that during this time we are still here to help. Though our physical offices are closed to the public, we are still taking applications for our legal services, working on cases, providing online resources on our website and social media, and offering as many of our other services as possible using telephone and video conferencing technology.
If you are having issues in any of the areas described in our resources below, or with other disability rights issues, please go to our Contact Us page for information on how to submit a request for our services.
Featured Resources
COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created: 4/22/2020 Updated: 09/02/2020 Publication Code: HA29 COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. Disability Rights Texas has created this handout to help clarify answers to questions about voting arising during the COVID-19 pandemic. November General Election Dates Dates… Continue reading COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting
Read more about COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting.
Handouts
COVID-19, Disabilities, and Store Mask Policies
During the pandemic, many businesses require people to wear masks. A lot of people with disabilities have a higher risk for serious illness if they get COVID-19. For them, requiring masks is very important. For others, wearing a mask may be hard because of a disability. Continue reading COVID-19, Disabilities, and Store Mask Policies
Read more about COVID-19, Disabilities, and Store Mask Policies.
COVID-19 and Mask Policies at Work
During the pandemic, employers have different policies about wearing masks. A lot of people with disabilities have a higher risk for serious illness if they get COVID-19. For them, requiring masks may be very important. For others, wearing a mask may be hard because of a disability. Continue reading COVID-19 and Mask Policies at Work
Accessing Texas Vocational Rehab Services During the Pandemic
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created 8/25/2020 Publication Code: EM14 This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. Accessing Texas Vocational Rehab Services During the Pandemic Our Client Assistance Program at DRTx assists people in accessing or obtaining services from the following agencies: Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS)… Continue reading Accessing Texas Vocational Rehab Services During the Pandemic
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Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language
Neighbors, Homeowners Associations (HOA), Landlords, and Realtors often target people with disabilities for things they ignore when anyone else does them. We consistently see people with disabilities targeted because of their disability and their race, national origin, or the language they speak. Continue reading Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language
Read more about Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language.
On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19
If you are experiencing any of the following issues, you can ask your landlord to change their policy to accommodate your needs to allow you out of your lease early without paying penalties, fines, or fees. Continue reading On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19
Read more about On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19.
Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created 7/23/2020 Publication Code: HS09 Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. Do you have questions about people coming into your home or ending your lease? Are you having a hard time doing normal things like sleeping, eating, or focusing?… Continue reading Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Read more about Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Housing Rights as Texas Returns to School
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created 7/14/2020 Publication Code: HS08 Housing Rights as Texas Returns to School This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. Do any of the following apply to you: Do you have kids that are attending school or college in-person? Do you work at a school or… Continue reading Housing Rights as Texas Returns to School
ASL Videos by the CDC on Coronavirus
COVID-19 Prevention Tips What is my Risk for COVID-19 What Older Adults Need to Know about COVID-19 Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Social Distancing (added 4/1/2020) Do Your Part to Slow the Spread (added 4/1/2020) Managing Stress and Anxiety (added 4/1/2020) Parents Supporting Children (added 4/1/2020) Caring for Someone at Home Who May Have COVID-19 (added 4/1/2020) When to Get… Continue reading ASL Videos by the CDC on Coronavirus
Medical Professional’s Guide to Housing Issues During COVID-19 Pandemic
We have seen instances of medical professionals discriminated against because of what they do and where they work. The discrimination stems from being associated with people with disabilities, being thought to have a disability, or having a disability. In this handout we address several scenarios we know are playing out or that we anticipate could occur. Continue reading Medical Professional’s Guide to Housing Issues During COVID-19 Pandemic
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Evictions in Texas During COVID-19 Pandemic
Disability Rights Texas Handout Date Created: March 24, 2020 Updated: September 23, 2020 Publication Code: HS4 Evictions in Texas During COVID-19 Pandemic This handout is available in Braille and/or by audio file upon request. A new order by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has paused some evictions for non-payment of rent until… Continue reading Evictions in Texas During COVID-19 Pandemic
Read more about Evictions in Texas During COVID-19 Pandemic.
Disability Discrimination at Work Now That COVID-19 is Here
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created 3/20/2020 Publication Code: EM12 Disability Discrimination at Work Now That COVID-19 is Here This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. Which employers are covered by the laws against disability discrimination? The laws cover private employers with 15 or more employees. The laws also cover most… Continue reading Disability Discrimination at Work Now That COVID-19 is Here
Read more about Disability Discrimination at Work Now That COVID-19 is Here.
COVID-19 and Students with Disabilities in College
Disability Rights Texas addresses four situations that college students with disabilities may experience because of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. Continue reading COVID-19 and Students with Disabilities in College
Read more about COVID-19 and Students with Disabilities in College.
Coronavirus Pandemic and Rights of Students with Disabilities
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created: March 12, 2020 Publication Code: ED24 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Protecting the Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Schools This handout can be made available in Braille and/or by audio file upon request. The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation in Texas. State and local officials,… Continue reading Coronavirus Pandemic and Rights of Students with Disabilities
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic and Rights of Students with Disabilities.
Publications
Providing Students with Disabilities Accessible Educational Services During COVID-19 Emergency Circumstances
During this time of national emergency due to COVID-19, Disability Rights Texas understands that our state’s educators are working diligently to adapt to the fluid circumstances to continue to provide quality education to their students while also working together to slow the rate of infection. As an organization, DRTx reaches out to offer support while educational institutions… Continue reading Providing Students with Disabilities Accessible Educational Services During COVID-19 Emergency Circumstances
COVID-19 Disability Hospital Form
Date Created: May 21, 2020 Publication Code: HC12 Please answer the questions on this form to help physicians provide you with proper medical treatment in case you need to go to the hospital for COVID-19 related symptoms. Complete as many of the questions as possible. This form can be completed online and printed out, or… Continue reading COVID-19 Disability Hospital Form
Texas Medicaid Changes Because of COVID 19
Since mid-March, numerous changes to the Texas Medicaid program have been implemented in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Many of these changes are temporary and may evolve as this public health crisis continues. The information below is accurate as of the time it was written, but may change on short notice. Contact Disability Rights Texas… Continue reading Texas Medicaid Changes Because of COVID 19
Nursing Homes and COVID 19
This Q&A guide discusses the many changes that impact nursing facility residents and their care and treatment during the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Texas has temporarily modified some of the rights of nursing facility (NF) residents. Please be aware that these changes are being updated daily as the COVID-19… Continue reading Nursing Homes and COVID 19
Employment Rights for Everyone During COVID-19
Leave and unemployment options available for all people, including those with disabilities, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading Employment Rights for Everyone During COVID-19
Videos
COVID-19 and Special Education Rights of Students
Parents of students with disabilities whose special education services are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic should know that their children still have rights and protections despite any disruptions caused by the outbreak…. Continue reading COVID-19 and Special Education Rights of Students
Know Your Housing Rights During COVID-19
Know your housing rights during the Coronavirus pandemic! Whether you’re a renter or homeowner, you have rights and options that offer additional support. Check out this informative message from Rachel Cohen-Miller, Supervising Attorney of the Housing, Transportation & Disaster Team at Disability Rights Texas. Also refer to our handouts on your housing rights and other… Continue reading Know Your Housing Rights During COVID-19
College Disability Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic
– Hi, my name is Angelica Sander and I’m an attorney for Disability Rights Texas. In this video, you will learn what to do if your education is disrupted by the coronavirus also known as COVID-19. We note that this is a difficult time, and unpredictable time for students, in college, graduate, professional, vocational or… Continue reading College Disability Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic
External Links
- CDC Says Landlords Can't Evict Yet - Declaration Letter Templates from Lone Star Legal Aid
- CDC COVID-19 Toolkit for People with Disabilities and Service Providers
- Your Healthcare Rights When Receiving Treatement for COVID-19
- Video from Disability Rights NY: What is COVID-19 Video in Easy to Understand Language
- Video from Autistic Self Advocacy Network: What You Need to Know About COVID-19
- ASL Coronavirus Prevention Tips from the CDC
- ASL Resources on Coronavirus from Disability Rights California
- State of Texas Coronavirus Website
- Precautions and Health Information for Elderly and Others at Higher Risk
- Symptoms of COVID-19
- Testing for COVID-19
- Protecting Yourself and Your Family
- Texas Medicaid and CHIP Services COVID-19 Information
- Social Security and Coronavirus
Things are changing daily regarding social security beneficiaries so please subscribe to this SSA page for regular updates.
- Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities COVID-19 Page
- Coalition of Texans with Disabilities COVID-19 Page
- National Disability Rights Network COVID-19 Updates
- Texas Department of Emergency Management
- Tesas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Texas Department of Health and Human Services
- Texas Education Agency COVID-19 and Special Education Support
- Texas Workforce Commission
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
- List of County Public Health Entities in Texas
- TexasLawHelp.org - legal services for low income Texans during COVID-19
- Coronavirus and Down Syndrome Health Information
- COVID-19, e-learning, and Down Syndrome
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- Lack of State Guidance Puts People with Disabilites at Risk During COVID-19 Outbreak
- Federal Civil Rights Resolution Makes Clear Hospital Visitor Policies Must Accommodate Patients with Disabilities During COVID-19 Pandemic