COVID Resources

Disability Rights Texas created this page to provide you with resources for people with disabilities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains information from DRTx 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

Stop Debt Collector Harrassment with Accommodation Request Letter

Please answer the questions below to generate a letter to your landlord. After you answer the questions and click submit, you will be redirected to a new webpage where you can download the letter. Please download the letter. Then send the letter to your landlord. This accommodation generator will NOT send the request to your… Continue reading Stop Debt Collector Harrassment with Accommodation Request Letter

Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Letter

If you have unpaid rent, past due rent, or late rent, you can use our interactive Unpaid Rent Accommodation Request Generator below to ask for more time to pay rent, delay an eviction, or even forgive past rent if you or someone in the house has lost a job because of COVID-19, lost income because of COVID-19 or if losing a job or income is making someone in the household’s mental health worse. This tool lets people use the protections of federal civil rights laws to ask for more time. Continue reading Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Letter

Letter to Landlord to Request Early Lease Termination

Do you need to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act to terminate your lease early? Use our form to generate a letter that you can give to your landlord. Continue reading Letter to Landlord to Request Early Lease Termination

Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This handout covers many housing-related issues that could arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the issues include ending a lease early, how to deal with people entering your home, what to do if you can’t make rent, and more. Continue reading Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Evictions in Texas During COVID-19 Pandemic

This handout covers how to qualify for protections under a new CDC order that pauses some evictions for non-payment of rent until December 31, 2020. Continue reading Evictions in Texas During COVID-19 Pandemic

Handouts

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Disability Rights Texas provides answers to frequently asked questions for people with disabiliites in Texas about the covid-19 vaccine: who can get it, where to get it, and more. Continue reading COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Links to Information for Keeping Updated on Texas Medicaid Changes Due to COVID

As COVID-19 continues to impact services in Texas, the resources featured in this handout can help you stay up-to-date with the Texas Medicaid waiver programs. Continue reading Links to Information for Keeping Updated on Texas Medicaid Changes Due to COVID

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

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

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some agencies have temporarily adjusted the way they provide Vocational Rehabilitation services. Learn more about how TWS-VR, OIB, and ILCs are providing VR services. Continue reading Accessing Texas Vocational Rehab Services During the Pandemic

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

On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19

If you are experiencing any of the issues described in this handout, 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

Housing Rights as Texas Returns to School

In Texas, some students and school staff are returning to school. This handout has information about what you can do if your landlord, neighbors, or HOA have treated you differently because you work in a school or have kids that attend school. Continue reading Housing Rights as Texas Returns to School

Providing Students with Disabilities Accessible Educational Services During COVID-19 Emergency Circumstances

This handout includes resources and information postsecondary educational institutions can use to ensure students with disabilities aren’t left behind as teaching methods change to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Continue reading Providing Students with Disabilities Accessible Educational Services During COVID-19 Emergency Circumstances

Texas Medicaid Changes Because of COVID-19

Numerous changes to the Texas Medicaid program have been implemented in response to COVID-19. Many of these changes are temporary and may evolve as this public health crisis continues. Learn about how programs and services have been affected. Continue reading Texas Medicaid Changes Because of COVID-19

Nursing Facilities and COVID-19

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Texas has temporarily modified some of the rights of nursing facility residents. This Q&A guide discusses many of the changes, including the care and treatment of residents. Continue reading Nursing Facilities and COVID-19

ASL Videos by the CDC on Coronavirus

The CDC published ASL videos with information about the Coronavirus. Topics covered include prevention tips, social distancing, and how to care for yourself and others. Continue reading ASL Videos by the CDC on Coronavirus

COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting

This handout attempts to answer questions people with disabilities might have related to voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific topics covered include election dates, voting by mail, and early voting. Continue reading COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting

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

Disability Discrimination at Work Now That COVID-19 is Here

This handout answers questions designed to prevent people with disabilities from experiencing workplace discrimination during the pandemic. Topics covered include how employers are changing operations, how to handle possible COVID-19 cases, and getting accommodations. Continue reading 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

Coronavirus Pandemic and Rights of Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities whose special education services are affected by COVID-19 still have rights and protections despite any disruptions caused by the pandemic. This resource highlights information that could help you ensure that your child continues to receive a free and appropriate public education. Continue reading Coronavirus Pandemic and Rights of Students with Disabilities

Publications

COVID-19 Disability Hospital Form

If you need to go to the hospital for COVID-19 related symptoms, this form can help physicians provide you with proper medical treatment. The form can be completed online and printed out, or you can print it out and write in your answers. Continue reading COVID-19 Disability Hospital Form

Download "COVID-19 Disability Hospital Information Form" (Adobe Portable Document Format, 68.37 KB)

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 Changes for Texas Medicaid Waivers

This video covers changes to Texas Medicaid waivers and CHIP that are a result of COVID-19. The video addresses Medicaid eligibility, plan extensions, visits with service coordinators, and more. Continue reading COVID-19 Changes for Texas Medicaid Waivers

Watch COVID-19 Changes for Texas Medicaid Waivers.

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. Continue reading COVID-19 and Special Education Rights of Students

Watch 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. Continue reading Know Your Housing Rights During COVID-19

Watch Know Your Housing Rights During COVID-19.

Disability Rights at College During COVID-19 Pandemic

This video covers what to do if your college education is disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Four scenarios are addressed, including what to do if your school transitions to online instruction and what to do if you get sick. Continue reading Disability Rights at College During COVID-19 Pandemic

Watch Disability Rights at College During COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19