Project Description:
The DD Partners joined other leaders of state agencies and organizations to develop the Disability Vaccination Accessibility Network (DVAN). DVAN is a coalition of disability rights advocates; stakeholders; along with public and private partnerships for the purpose of making vaccinations accessible to persons with disabilities. The intent was to create a network where information and data about COVID and the vaccine would be shared and collected. Four sub-committees were formed, which include: (1) Data to discuss existing data, track referrals, create a needs assessment survey to be sent through partner networks, and to review national survey data and possible questions for Texas; (2) Communications to identify a graphic to represent DVAN, create a one-page flyer on how to find help and more information to access the vaccine, and to explore a webpage; (3) Local Outreach to identify community groups who can partner at the local level, have peers talk with individuals and families about vaccines as well as gather data and identify barriers, and to explore DSP volunteer groups; and (4) Intake and Case Management to discuss process for referral from DSHS to BCFS, DRTX, ADRC, and AAA, and to discuss role of ADRC in informational and referral vs. case management.
Two needs assessment surveys were developed that will be disseminated via the DVAN:
Caregiver version of the survey: https://utexas.box.com/s/3cy99gnvxmhlah9k7w823r8ejhkbttge
PWD to complete themselves: https://utexas.box.com/s/ka2jh2s1ji9d0xlf14va0ed6hs10kni5
Members of the Steering Committee are:
Communications and outreach
Beth Stalvey, TCDD Acting Chair
Edie Surtees, DRTx
Kerri Carr, DRTx
Stacey Kaleh, TCDD
Data and reporting
Sandy Magana, UT Acting Chair
Weiwen Zeng, UT
Meagan Sumbera, Texas A&M
Dan Zhang, Texas A&M
Intake and referral
Sean Jackson, DRTx Acting Chair
Edwin Marino, DRTx
Kerri Carr, DRTx
Stephanie Duke, DRTx
Steering Committee (TBD)
Sean Jackson, DRTx
Beth Stalvey, TCDD
Sandy Magna, UT
Ron Lucey, Governors Commission on PWDs
Richard Flores ADRC
Sandra Brietengross Bitter, Texas CILs
Dave Gruber DSHS
The following have submitted letters of commitment to DVAN:
Texas Governors Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD)
House the Homeless, Inc.
CBCIL
Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Capital Area
LRGVDC Rio-Net ADRC
Project Amistad - Rio Grande ADRC
Dallas ADRC
FEMA
Texas State Independent Living Council
National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Texas Technology Access Program (State AT program)
Providers Alliance for Community Services of Texas (PACSTX)
Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living
The Arc of Texas
Texas Center for Disability Studies
Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
