Our Policy Priorities for the 89th Texas Legislative Session

As we work to ensure a more inclusive and equitable Texas, we must address the significant challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). More than 500,000 Texans live with IDD and face unnecessary, unfair systemic barriers across all areas of life, from community services and education, to civil rights and employment. 

Over the last few months, The Arc of Texas Public Policy & Advocacy team hit the road for “Tour Across Texas,” conducting legislative advocacy trainings in 10 local chapter regions across the state and heard firsthand from disability rights advocates and allies about the most pressing issues impacting our community. Your voices deepened our understanding of systemic barriers Texans with IDD face, and we thank you. Continue reading for a summary of key challenges identified and our Policy Priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Our session-specific Policy Priorities align with our longstanding Policy Pillars.

Roadmap to a More Inclusive Texas: The Arc of Texas Public Policy Priorities for the 89th Legislative Session 

As we approach the 89th Texas Legislative Session, The Arc of Texas stands ready to advocate for transformative change. We envision a Texas where all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can live fully integrated into their communities, empowered by comprehensive access to the services and supports they need. 

This Session, our priorities reflect a commitment to building an inclusive Texas where every Texan can flourish. We are dedicated to addressing critical issues by working with policymakers and advocates across the state. These issues include expanding access to home and community-based services, restructuring special education funding methods, strengthening civil rights protections, and improving access to competitive, integrated employment opportunities. Our Policy Priorities serve as a roadmap for a future in which barriers to inclusion and accessibility are dismantled and Texans with disabilities are met with opportunity, respect, and support at every turn. 

Key Challenges: Community Services

Over 180,000 individuals with IDD are currently on waitlists for vital community-based services. These extended wait times leave families without the necessary supports to promote independence and community integration. Texas is also grappling with a direct care workforce crisis, where community attendants—who provide essential in-home assistance—are paid just $10.60 an hour. This insufficient wage results in high turnover, creating instability in care and further straining already limited resources.  

Related Policy Priorities: Quality of Life Pillar

• Increase Access to Home and Community-Based Services: Reduce wait times for essential home and community based services that prevent institutionalization. Improve how interest lists are managed and ensure timely access to care. 

• Address the Direct Care Workforce Crisis: Strengthen the care workforce by ensuring wage parity for direct care workers with those in institutional settings, starting at $18 per hour, to ensure stability and quality in essential support roles. 

• Expand Access to Mental Health Services: Increase outpatient capacity and availability of mental health services for individuals with IDD by expanding the use of the biopsychosocial model through local IDD authorities. 

Key Challenges: Education

Children with IDD continue to face significant barriers to accessing education and early intervention services. School districts are critically underfunded due to outdated special education funding formulas, which result in insufficient resources. Additionally, the limited availability of inclusive postsecondary education programs for students with IDD prevents many from pursuing higher education and expanding employment opportunities. 

Related Policy Priorities: Inclusive Education Pillar

• Equitable Funding for Special Education Services: Implement the Special Education Funding Commission’s recommendation to shift to an intensity-based funding model that addresses each child’s unique educational needs. 

• Promote Safe and Inclusive School Environments: Address the disproportionate physical restraints students with disabilities experience by enhancing training for educators on effective positive behavior strategies and de-escalation. Ensure students with disabilities are fully included in school safety and emergency planning efforts. 

• Expand Access to Inclusive Higher Education: Establish funding opportunities for colleges and universities to create inclusive postsecondary programs that support the academic and social needs of students with IDD. 

Key Challenges: Civil Rights & Justice

People with IDD face discrimination and inadequate legal protections, compounded by limited community supports. In the criminal justice system, up to 30% of incarcerated individuals have IDD—disproportionately high compared to the general population. This issue is even more acute for those with both IDD and mental health conditions, who often do not receive access to timely necessary care, leading to crisis situations. 

Related Policy Priorities: Civil Rights & Justice Pillar

• Define and Establish an Appropriate Process for Identifying People with IDD: Ensure an accurate and consistent definition of IDD, while creating a clear, standardized process for identifying individuals with IDD within the criminal legal system. This will prevent unwarranted executions, promote fairness, and bring Texas into compliance with federal law. 

• Ensure Self-Determination and Protect Rights of Texans with IDD: Promote policies that empower Texans with IDD to make informed choices and live independently, while safeguarding their rights from discrimination, exploitation, or abuse. 

• Uphold existing voting rights for Texans with IDD: Ensure the ability to vote privately and independently through access, accommodations, and support. 

Key Challenges: Employment

Texans with IDD face disproportionately high unemployment rates. The unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is twice that of their non-disabled peers. Barriers such as discriminatory attitudes, lack of accommodations, and limited access to job training and support services prevent many from securing and maintaining meaningful employment. 

These challenges are urgent and impact thousands of individuals across our state. By acknowledging these barriers, we can begin the work necessary to ensure that Texans with IDD have the same opportunities to succeed and thrive as anyone else. Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities of Texans with IDD. 

Related Policy Priorities: Comprehensive Integrated Employment Pillar

• Promote Competitive Integrated Employment for Texans with IDD: Advocate for policies that increase access to competitive, integrated employment opportunities, enabling individuals with IDD to earn competitive wages in inclusive workplaces. 

• Enhance Employment Support Services and Peer Support: Expand funding for job training, career counseling, on-the-job supports, and peer support programs to help individuals with IDD secure, retain, and succeed in meaningful employment. 

• Eliminate Barriers to Employment for Texans with IDD: Address barriers to employment by advocating for workplace accommodations, inclusive hiring practices, and equal opportunities for career advancement. 

Real change requires all of us. As we advocate together, we call on our state leaders to act boldly, recognizing the urgent need for policies that uplift and include Texans with disabilities. Join us in this pursuit of a Texas that values the inherent dignity and potential of every person. 

“Your voices deepened our understanding of systemic barriers Texans with IDD face, and we thank you.” — Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, The Arc of Texas

 

---