COVID-19
This page provides resources for people with disabilities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains information from DRTx and links to resources from other trusted organizations.
Please note: Resources and links on this page may have been updated since the date posted. Please visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date COVID-19 guidance.
Having trouble getting the vaccine?
Call our vaccine hotline at 1-800-880-8401 or email vaccine@drtx.org.
Experiencing COVID-19 related issues with healthcare, housing, work, etc?
Visit our How to Apply for Services page.
Featured Resources
Asking Your Landlord to Stay In Housing Until Rent Relief Is Received
If you’re behind on your rent and you’ve applied—or are planning to apply—for rent relief, our accommodation request letter may help you avoid eviction and stay in your housing until rent relief is received. Continue reading “Asking Your Landlord to Stay In Housing Until Rent Relief Is Received”
Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Request Letter
If you have unpaid rent, past due rent, or late rent after losing a job because of COVID-19, this easy-to-use tool will create a letter to send to your landlord to help you avoid eviction. Continue reading “Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Request Letter”
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”
Handouts
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources in Plain Language
Various plain language resources are available to help you learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine. Continue reading “COVID-19 Vaccine Resources in Plain Language”
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for People with Disabilities in Texas
Resources to help people with disabilities in Texas learn more about the vaccine and how to get it. Continue reading “COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for People with Disabilities in Texas”
How to Stop Your Landlord From Entering Your Home During COVID-19
Learn what you can do to stop your landlord from entering your home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “How to Stop Your Landlord From Entering Your Home During COVID-19”
Sample TEA Complaint Letter About Compensatory Services
If your child lost progress due to the pandemic and the school did not respond to your request for compensatory services, you should send a complaint letter to TEA. Continue reading “Sample TEA Complaint Letter About Compensatory Services”
Sample Letter to School Requesting Compensatory Education Services
Because there is a one-year deadline to file complaints with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to get compensatory services, if you believe your child needs these services due to school closures last year because of the pandemic, you should first send a request letter immediately to your child’s school. Continue reading “Sample Letter to School Requesting Compensatory Education Services”
COVID-19 Vaccines and Employment
This handout answers 25 questions related to issues surrounding COVID-19 vaccines and employment for people with disabilities. Continue reading “COVID-19 Vaccines and Employment”
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”
Stop Debt Collector Harassment with Accommodation Request Letter
This easy-to-use tool will make a letter to send to your landlord to stop debt collector harassment. Continue reading “Stop Debt Collector Harassment with Accommodation Request Letter”
Letter to Landlord to Request Early Lease Termination
Do you need to request a reasonable accommodation to terminate your lease early? This easy-to-use tool will make a letter to send to your landlord requesting to end your lease early without any fines or penalties. Continue reading “Letter to Landlord to Request Early Lease Termination”
Mask Policies in Stores and Other Private Businesses
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 “Mask Policies in Stores and Other Private Businesses”
Mask Policies at Work During COVID-19
During the pandemic, employers have different policies about wearing masks. This handout answers key questions about how disability laws apply to mask policies in the workplace. Continue reading “Mask Policies at Work During COVID-19”
Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language
Learn what you can do if you have been targeted by your neighbors, landlords, or others because of your disability and your race, national origin, or language. Continue reading “Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language”
On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19
Learn how to ask your landlord 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”
Evictions in Texas
People with disabilities in Texas may face eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about the options available to help you stay in your home. Continue reading “Evictions in Texas”
Disability Discrimination at Work During COVID-19
This handout answers many questions related to discrimination people with disabilities may face at work during the COVID-19 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 During COVID-19”
Videos
You Have a Right to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
It’s your right to have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. In most cases, if you want to get the vaccine, you can. No one can keep you from getting it just because you have a disability or need extra help. Watch the video “You Have a Right to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine”
External Links
- CDC COVID-19 Guidance
- FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Financial Assistance
- Vaccine Access Initiative
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information from the Texas Department of Health Services
- Different Vaccines and What They Do
- From the CDC: People with Disabilities and the COVID-19 Vaccine
- CDC COVID-19 Videos in ASL
- Video from Autistic Self Advocacy Network: What You Need to Know About COVID-19
- Lone Star Legal Aid COVID-19 Resources
- TEA COVID-19 Support for Students in Special Education
- From Texas Health and Human Services: Texas Medicaid and CHIP Services Information
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Resources for Foster Youth and Families
- Texas County COVID-19 Local Health Entities
Related Items
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- Statement on 5th Circuit Court decision on stay in mask mandate ban lawsuit
- First Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Texas Governor on Mask Mandate Ban Says It Violates ADA, Section 504
- Disability Rights Texas files federal lawsuit against Gov. Abbott over school mask mandate ban
- EEOC Hearing: Workplace Civil Rights Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Governor Abbott Urged to Endorse Activation and Application of Statewide Critical Care Guidelines