CTD Advocacy
2005 Legislative Report
| SB 1 (budget bill) Funding for community services | |
| CTD'S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD testimonies, letter writing, direct visits with legislative offices, lead organizer of Capitol Day of advocacy, 10 presentations/workshops/press conferences Partners: all disability advocacy organizations, AARP |
WHAT THIS MEANS: Restoration of cuts to community services. Preserved attendant care hours for current clients. Restoration of eyeglasses, hearing aids, mental health counseling for adults on Medicaid. Preserved In-Home and Family Support funding, very at risk. Additional $54 M for demographic growth in community waivers. |
| SB 1 (budget bill) Reduce community services waiting list by 10% |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD among lead advocates. Testimonies, letter writing, direct visits with legislative offices, Capitol Day of advocacy, presentations/workshops/press conferences Partners: Advocacy Inc., ADAPT, TX Center for Disability Studies, AARP, other disability |
WHAT THIS MEANS: $300 M in total new funding to reduce the waiting lists. |
| SB1 (budget bill) Family-based alternatives |
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| CTD lead advocate. Direct to Governor Partner: TX Center for Disability Studies |
WHAT THIS MEANS: Funded and moved into base budget. |
| SB 1 (budget bill) End wait lists for Comprehensive Rehab Services and Independent Living Services | |
| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD and Brain Injury Assn. of TX as lead advocates Partner: Advocacy Inc., SILC |
WHAT THIS MEANS: $5.7 M in new funding to end the waiting list for CRS (intensive early rehab of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries) and Independent living services. |
| SB 1 (budget bill) Rider for pilot of money follows the persons to move kids from institutions |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in strong support with testimony, legislative office visits Partners: Texas Center for Disability Studies, Advocacy Inc. |
WHAT THIS MEANS: Will allow 50 kids in ICFs/MR to move out and have their services funding transferred to community based services. |
| SB 1128 Hinojosa ADA rights |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD originated and wrote bill and was primary advocate Partner: AARP |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: This bill would have held the State of Texas accountable for violations of the ADA. Opposition by Attorney General Abbott. CTD rejected a compromise bill as inadequate. CTD succeeded in publicizing this little-known issue and will continue to work on guaranteeing the right to be free from discrimination. |
| HB 2819 Rose/Madla Electronic accessibility |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD originated bill and was primary advocate |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Will improve accessibility for people with disabilities by aligning Texas standards for state websites, telecommunications and information technology with the federal 508 standards. |
| HB 1771 Delisi/Nelson Integrated Care Management |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD among the lead advocates, testimonies, negotiating bill language, direct visits with legislative offices, obtained legislative intent letter Partners: ADAPT, AARP, Advocacy Inc., Texas Center for Disability Studies, TCDD |
WHAT THIS MEANS: "The Battle of the Titans" on the expansion of Medicaid Managed Care to most urban areas. Advocates for aging and disability communities actively engaged both sides: the doctors and Hospitals v. the HMOs. Secured safeguards for consumer education and outreach. Worked with Sen. Zaffirini to record a statement of legislative intent in the Senate journal that managed care should end CBA wait lists. Next Steps: CTD and disability organizations are monitoring this monumental change in service delivery. Particular interest: CBA services, relocation, consumer education and outreach. |
| SB 187 Zaffirini/Rose Protection of Comprehensive Rehab Services funding stream |
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| CTD and Brain Injury Assn. of TX as lead advocates Partner: Advocacy Inc. |
WHAT THIS MEANS: PASSEDReversed a provision passed in 2003 that would have allowed the CRS (intensive early rehab of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries) funding stream, based on traffic fines, to be diverted. The CRS funds are now much more secure. |
| SB 566 Deuell/Delisi Medicaid Buy In |
CTD on design team, supporting advocate, testimony Partners: Texas Assn. of Goodwills, Advocacy Inc., Center for Disability Studies, Natl. Multiple Sclerosis Society, DD Council |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Important employment bill allows working people to retain Medicaid coverage despite exceeding income threshhold. Removes the huge disincentive to work for people with chronic illness and permanent disability. $6 M in budget to fund the program. |
| HB 1867 Naishtat/Zaffirni Money Follows the Person |
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| CTD supported with testimony, office visits Partners: Advocacy Inc., ADAPT, AARP, Center for Disability Studies, Natl. Multiple Sclerosis Society, DD Council |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Places into state law the expiring money follows the person riders for people moving from nursing facilities to community placements. |
| HB 1706 Denny Voter ID bill |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD strongly opposed, testimony Partners: Advocacy Inc., AARP |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Extra ID requirements and procedures would’ve made it more difficult to vote. |
| HB 768 Villarreal Vote by mail |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD Supported with testimony Partner: Advocacy Inc |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Authorizing county clerk to mail an application to vote by mail to all voters with disabilities or 65+. Would have would made voting system more easily accessible for voters unable to vote at polls. |
| HB 1994 Talton Offense of assisting voters |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD strongly opposed with testimony Partner: Advocacy Inc. |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Relating to the offense of assisting multiple voters who cast a ballot by mail. Would disproportionately affect voters with disabilities needing assistance. |
| HB 1391 Leibowitz Accessible floor plans |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in strong support, testimony Partner: TX Paralyzed Veterans |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: This bill would have required that any large builder in the Veterans Housing Assistance program have at least one accessible floor plan available. Next Steps: CTD and the TX Paralyzed Veterans will work in the interim with the state agency. |
| SB 1586 Carona CBA wait list |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in strong opposition Partners: ADAPT, TX Center for Disability Studies, Advocacy Inc., AARP |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: This bill would have allowed residents of certain assisted living centers to move to the top of the CBA wait list ahead of those staying in their own homes. |
| HB 481 Hochberg/Zaffirini Unemployment benefits |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in support, testimony |
PASSED Allows a person with a disability to collect unemployment benefits based on past employment, while looking for part-time work. |
| SB 626 Zaffirini/Davis Eliminate cost caps |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in support Partners: ADAPT, Advocacy Inc., TX Center for Disability Studies |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Allows a person with high needs to remain in the community even if more costly than an institutional placement. |
| HB 315 Olivo State school admissions |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: Opposed by CTD by testimony, legislative office visits Partners: ARC of Texas, ADAPT, Advocacy Inc., TX Ctr for Disability Studies |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: This bill would have promoted the institutional bias by easing admission standards and requiring that only state school information be provided to families. |
| HB 385 Naishtat State Court judicial review |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: Supported by CTD, legislative office contacts Partner: Texas Legal Services Center |
NOT PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: This bill would have streamlined dispute resolution between Medicaid recipients and the State, saving money and time for both. |
| SB 40 Zaffirini/Dukes Permanency planning |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in support Partners: Advocacy Inc., TX Center for Disability Studies |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Allows for independent planners to work with kids “aging out” of children’s programs. |
| SB 325 Zaffirini/Naishtat | |
| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in support, testimony Partners: Advocacy Inc., TX Center for Disability Studies, ADAPT |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Prohibits asphyxiating choke holds and face-down physical restraints for people in institutions. |
| HB 2579 Rodriguez/Zaffirini Parental involvement |
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| CTD’S ROLE/ PARTNERS: CTD in support Partners: Advocacy Inc., TX Center for Disability Studies |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Strengthens parental involvement of minor children in institutions. |
| HB 765 Menendez/Van de Putte | |
| CTD in support Partner: Natl Multiple Sclerosis Society CTD in support |
PASSED WHAT THIS MEANS: Requires disclosure of benefits under employer health plans. |
Historical Achievements
350 Miles...7 Days... By Hand!
Capitol Ride ’05, held from March 1-8, 2005, was an incredible demonstration of endurance, strength, and will by CTD member Mikail Davenport who hand cycled from South Padre Island to the steps of the State Capitol, a distance of 350 miles. CTD and Davenport teamed up to raise awareness of the capability of cancer survivors and people with disabilities.
Mikail personifies the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities' mission statement of ensuring that people with all disabilities have the right and opportunity to live, learn, work, play and participate fully in the community of their choice.
Mikail is a native Texan who contracted polio at age two. In 2000, he began competing in 5Ks and 10Ks in his wheelchair. In 2002, after doctors removed 1/3 of his lung, Mikail went on to successfully complete the 2003 Motorola Marathon. Capitol Ride ’05 is the longest marathon Mikail has ever done.
Working with only limited resources, CTD has consistently accomplished goals that directly benefit persons with disabilities by organizing people within the community and developing win-win partnerships. CTD made history twice by developing and coordinating Team Everest '03, an awareness and consciousness raising project of epic proportion. CTD first made history when the largest cross-disability group of individuals (four in wheelchairs) made it to Mt. Everest Base Camp at 19,500'. A few weeks later, Trek Leader Gary Guller became the first person with one arm to summit Mt. Everest.
We are proud that CTD has accomplished many historical achievements. Since 1978, we have:
- Expanded the number of facilities that are in compliance with architectural barriers building codes.
- Wrote and secured adoption of a state plan for critical personal assistance services.
- Secured the adoption of the Telecommunications Relay System (TRS) and Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP).
- Input incorporated into the new operating rules for the Texas Department on Housing and Community Affairs to promote more accessible units in subsidized housing.
- Secured a mandate for the transportation-disadvantaged to have a seat on all Texas transit authorities' boards.
- Secured a franchise tax credit that provided an incentive to employers to hire a person with a disability. CTD collaborated with state agencies and advocates to develop a Medicaid Buy-In pilot program, which provided alternatives and removed the disincentive of hiring people with disabilities.
- In the spirit of "fair shake", to be free from unreasonable, sometimes ridiculous, practices and regulations, CTD worked to remove motorized wheelchairs from the Motor Vehicle Code; to give personal assistants more latitude; and to eliminate the cumbersome annual reporting requirement for a retired educator with a permanent disability.
- Have three times won the Barbara Jordan Award for Excellence in the Communication of the Reality of Disabled People.
- During the 78th legislative session (2001), CTD successfully advocated for rededication of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to community services for Texans with disabilities.
