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
Texas Partners for Inclusive Access (TPIA), the Texas response to health equity. The pandemic has amplified what we already know, and research shows that people with disabilities are more likely to get COVID-19 and to experience poorer outcomes. Therefore, the presentation will discuss how Disability Rights Texas helped spearhead the formation of a state-wide coalition of organizations branded the Texas Partners for Inclusive Access that came together for the purpose of helping Texans with disabilities overcome barriers to getting the COVID-19 vaccination. To that end, we have facilitated the vaccinations of over 1000 vaccinations for persons with disabilities and their care givers. Furthermore, an assessment was conducted to learn more about the experiences of Texans with disabilities with COVID-19 vaccines, the barriers to getting the COVID- 19 vaccination and how to best close the accessibility gap.
The Texas Partners for Inclusive Access took steps to ensure that when serving individuals with disabilities in Texas, we were serving the whole person, and providing the best opportunities possible for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this project, the coming together of different state agencies, organizations, medical experts, health, and community leaders ensured that the practices and policies created would improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, caregivers, and communities. Furthermore, an assessment was conducted to learn more about the experiences of Texans with disabilities with COVID-19 vaccines. This was done to better understand the needs of individuals with disabilities in Texas, to ensure equitable access to supports and services that reflect the preferences and values of diverse communities and that lead to self-determination, independence, productivity, and a healthy and satisfying quality of life. Thus, through research, education, health, and service activities, we wanted to make sure that all Texans with disabilities feel safe and supported in learning about and getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
we conducted a vaccination study, where we collected voluntary data from 2,134 adult Texans with disabilities and their caregivers across the State. Participants were asked to provide general and disability-specific demographic information, information regarding their COVID-19 vaccination status, and respond to questions regarding barriers and ease of access to the vaccine.
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
