New Rule Allows Texas Social Workers to Turn Away People With Disabilities

What happened: Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners unanimously voted on Monday to change a section of its code of conduct that protected disabled people from being turned away for services by social workers. This change also allows social workers to turn away clients on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Texas Tribune reported that Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office recommended the change because “the code’s nondiscrimination protections went beyond protections laid out in the state law that governs how and when the state may discipline social workers.” Social workers in the state like Steven Parks have criticized the change.

New Texas rule lets social workers refuse clients who are LGBTQ or have a disability #NOH8 https://t.co/VI0ivWXKCu

— NOH8 Campaign (@NOH8Campaign) October 16, 2020

The Frontlines: Many disabled people have to go through hoops in order to get adequate services, and social workers can often help their disabled clients find housing, make lifestyle adjustments and get proper health treatment along with provide mental health services.

• According to the National Association of Social Workers, there are around 16 types of social workers. Social workers that specialize in helping people with developmental disabilities help clients and families learn their legal rights and find services to help them become independent.
• The Health Resources & Services Administration identified more than 100 Texas counties that already have a social worker shortage.
• The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council will revisit complaints about this decision at its Oct. 27 meeting.

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A Mighty Voice: Even when there are laws to protect people with disabilities, discrimination still happens. Mighty contributor Grace Robinson wrote about why people are still dehumanized even 30 years after the American with Disabilities Act was passed.

“I have learned that being disabled in America often makes you a second-class citizen. We are told to be grateful and to stop complaining when scraps are thrown our way. The programs we rely on are constantly on the chopping block, putting our lives at risk. The threat of our insurance being taken away is something we have to take seriously, because without insurance, we will die! We are constantly called ‘lazy,’ ‘free-loaders’ and ‘parasites,’ when we are just doing the best we can.” You can submit your first-person story, too.

From Our Community:

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Other Things to Know: Over the past several years, both federal and local governments have made decisions that make it difficult for people with disabilities to get access to care and the help that they need. Read these stories below to stay up to date on decisions that have harmed the disability community:

• U.S. Government Wants to Use Social Media to Decide Who Is ‘Disabled Enough’ for Disability Benefits
• Here’s How People With Disabilities Could Still Feel the Effects of the Government Shutdown

How to Take Action: You can sign a petition on Change.org to support the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers who oppose the executive board’s decision to permit discrimination against disabled and queer people.