Texas faces a critical crisis when it comes to supporting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Despite being a state with immense economic resources, Texas routinely ranks as one of the absolute worst states in the nation for funding IDD services and supports.

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For decades, the state’s underfunding has manifested in devastating ways:

• Staggering Interest Lists: Over
  140,000 Texans wait on massive Medicaid waiver "interest lists" for home and community-based services, often languishing for well over a decade before receiving care.

• Severe Workforce Shortages: Chronically low state reimbursement rates have left direct support professionals (DSPs) with unsustainable wages, causing severe staffing shortages and forcing the closure of group homes.

 

Because of this harsh reality, educating Texas legislators is not just an act of civic engagement—it is a lifeline for the IDD community.

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State lawmakers are responsible for drafting the state budget, setting DSP wage baselines, and allocating Medicaid funds. However, many legislators do not fully understand the complex realities of navigating the IDD system or the human cost of underfunding. They need to hear directly from self-advocates, family members, and service providers.

 

Constituent advocacy works. Direct education cuts through abstract political numbers. When lawmakers hear personal stories about a family waiting 15 years for assistance, or a local provider unable to hire staff, the data becomes real.

 

By actively reaching out, scheduling office visits, and sharing testimonies during legislative sessions, advocates can shift the needle. Lawmakers must understand that investing in community-based IDD infrastructure prevents costlier crises down the line, such as unnecessary institutionalization or emergency room dependency. Educating our Texas leaders is the ultimate catalyst to demand accountability and secure the funding that Texans with IDD fundamentally deserve.

 

Now is the time to contact your legislator,  By working together we can make a positive impact on our current system.