Texans With Disabilities: Share Your Story Now!

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Of the 31.7 million people who live in Texas, 3.5 million (or 12%) have either a physical or mental disability, according to the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS).  

Each person, family, and disability type has its own unique set of challenges and needs.  

But as an overlooked population, Texans with disabilities and their families continue to slip through healthcare cracks across the state.  

To better serve this population, Baylor University researchers have launched the Raising Texas Voices study to collect the stories of more than 4,000 Texans with disabilities, their families, and the professionals and providers who serve them. 

Learn about the study, what it entails, and how it will help individuals, families, caregivers, and providers better serve Texans with disabilities.  

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Raising Texas Voices 

Sometimes stories speak louder than numbers. 

Stories paint a vibrant picture of what someone is going through. 

They give us anecdotal context that numbers can’t quantify, they empower and uplift, and they inspire real world change.  

By collecting stories from over 4,000 Texans with disabilities, their families, and the professionals and providers who serve them, the study team hopes to “learn what matters most to people with disabilities and their families in the areas of language, advocacy, and learning pathways,” according to the study’s website.  

This research in lived experiences will help identify priorities, challenges, and opportunities that can inform stronger, more effective advocacy efforts in Texas, researchers say. 

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How to Share Your Story with Raising Texas Voices 

To share your story with the Raising Texas Voices study, you must live in Texas, be 18 or older, have a disability, or be a parent/caregiver or sibling of a person with a disability.  

As part of the study, you will be asked to complete a short survey. 

The survey questions differ depending on the participant’s relationship to the person with a disability or if the participant is an adult with a disability.  

For parents of someone with a disability or caregivers, the questions focus on “hopes for your child (of any age), your experiences and feelings related to advocacy, the ways you like to learn, and the ways you prefer to talk about disability,” according to the survey handout.  

The questions for siblings range from experiences to ways they’ve been impacted by their sibling.  

Adults with disabilities will be asked about the ways they talk about their disability, advocacy experiences, and the ways they prefer to learn as well as background information. 

The information gleaned from these surveys will be used to strengthen advocacy programs, improve resources for individuals and families, and support advocacy work across the state. 

For those looking to help promote the study, visit the study website for resources and printable flyers.  

Questions regarding the study or participation can be directed to Kari Maddox at kari_maddox1@baylor.edu or 254-710-6167. 

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About the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing  

The study is led by Baylor University’s Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, which conducts research to benefit individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. 

They look at disability on a theological, phycological, educational, and health-related level with research that seeks to improve these communities and create a stronger sense of belonging. Studies focus on impacts ranging from social to religious. 

The research is translated to community impact by creating resources and training that help build stronger communities.  

Learn more about the center and their work to improve and support the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers on the center’s website.  

What does health care look like where you live?  

What kind of health care inconsistencies are plaguing your community?   

Find out by downloading a Salud America! Health Report Card for your town!   

Enter your county name and get auto-generated local data with interactive maps and comparative gauges on several health indicators. This can help you visualize and explore local issues in education, housing, transportation, food, health, and more.   

See how your county stacks up compared to the rest of your state and nation.   

Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy changes in your community!  

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