Comprehensive needs assessment of Texans with disabilities.

Comprehensive Needs Assessment of Texans With DisabilitiesIn partnership with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), researchers at the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing conducted a comprehensive needs assessment for Texans with disabilities in 2014. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended calls for periodic comprehensive statewide needs assessments that will result in recommendations to the goals, priorities, and strategies of the state plan that DARS is required to produce annually.

This report details results from the needs assessment. Throughout the various data sources used in the report, several common issues arose. These include common underserved populations, barriers, and areas for improvement. The study identified individuals with mental illness, veterans, youth, and students transitioning from school to employment as underserved populations. Individuals who are undocumented were also identified in the surveys as a group whose needs are not met. While the findings highlight undocumented individuals with a disability as a group not receiving services, it should be noted that vocational rehabilitation services are provided only to those who can legally work.

The study also identified barriers and areas for improvements, including housing, transportation, availability of appropriate jobs, and loss of benefits.

Read the report:

Comprehensive Needs Assessment of Texans with Disabilities

Suggested Citation: Schwab, J., Faulkner, M., Scott, J., Gerlach, B. & Eisenbaum, E. (2014). Comprehensive Needs Assessment of Texans with Disabilities. Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin