Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living

Connecting people to the power of independence

News / Press Release

Rev Up! – Vote

I VOTE EARLY

Send questions to revuptx@gmail.com or visit www.revuptexas.org.

The November 3 election will have a dramatic effect on disability rights and services at the local, state, and national levels for the next decade. 

The DISABILITY VOTE can influence the outcome of this election.  It is in our interest to support candidates – regardless of which party they represent – that support policies and funding that promote our ability to be included in our communities like every other Texan!

The COVID 19 pandemic poses unique challenges to the DISABILITY COMMUNITY.  Do we go to the polls and possibly confront long lines? Or do we use the mail-in ballot process (for the first time for many of us)?  The controversy about mail-in ballots adds another level of confusion.

REV UP Texas’ I VOTE EARLY campaign encourages eligible voters to use the mail-in ballot. But if you want to go to the polls, vote during the EARLY VOTING period. (See In-Person Voting below.)

>>REGISTER TO VOTE

If you have not already registered to vote, you MUST register by October 5 to be able to vote on November 3. Click here to register.

>>VOTING BY MAIL

  • To request a mail-in ballot, click here.
  • To be sure that your mail-in ballot WILL BE COUNTED, you must fill it out and mail it the day you get it – or the next day at the very latest. If you can hand-deliver your ballot, that’s even better. But you MUST deliver it by October 12.

>>IN-PERSON VOTING

Early Voting Dates: October 13 – October 30

General Election: November 3

  • Because of COVID-19, many counties are having a hard time finding poll workers.  This may cause counties to consolidate or eliminate polling locations.
  • If you find long lines when you go to vote in person, there are laws that may allow you to get preference.
  • Contact your county for voting locations. Click here to find contact information for your county election official.

>>LINKS TO FIND MORE INFORMATION

Secretary of State General Information on Disability – Voting  

Disability Rights Texas – Voting

Updates on BVCIL Response to COVID-19

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As of 4/30/2020 – BVCIL staff will continue working remotely through May 15th. As of this time, the plan is for staff to return to working in the offices again on May 18th. With the end of the shelter-in-place order, we will also begin opening our transportation program back up to include all who need above and beyond transportation, not just those with medical appointments and supply trip needs. We hope everyone is in good health and continuing to stay safe during this time.

As of 4/6/2020 – BVCIL closure has been extended to align with the shelter in place order for Texas. All staff are continuing to work remotely and we are still providing essential transportation trips.

Notice sent on 3/23/2020 – This has been an interesting month as our nation handles COVID-19. We’ve continued to monitor the news by health officials and kept at the forefront of our minds the needs of those we work with. These needs also include the health and safety of those we serve, our community partners, and our staff. These things include closing our doors to the public and asking staff to continue to work remotely.

As you may be aware, the mayors of Bryan and College Station announced the afternoon of March 23rd that a new shelter in place policy would be going into effect. This policy starts on March 24th at 9:00 p.m. and requires citizens to stay at home when not needing to leave for essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and medical appointments.

What does this look like for BVCIL?
The staff at BVCIL have put into place a few measures to allow them to work from home and provide assistance to those we work with. Staff are monitoring our main phone lines as well as transportation phone line during regular business hours. While we are limited in this time of social distancing, there are resources we can provide depending on your needs. Our transportation program is still running and will continue to provide trips to those going to and from medical appointments only. Our drivers are taking great care in disinfecting or vehicles after every trip to ensure our rider’s protection.

While we are not currently able to provide our usual face-to-face services, there may be other ways our staff may assist you. Please feel free to call us and see what we can do for you.

How long will BVCIL be closed?
BVCIL is now on the same timeline as the Brazos County shelter in place policies which are currently set to end on April 7th. If these orders are extended, BVCIL will continue to follow the timeline of closures required.

What about classes?
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our community during this difficult and confusing time. To ensure the continued safety and health of those we work with as well as our staff, BVCIL will be suspending all classes, group events, and activities until further notice. You can check for any updates or changes to this by calling, emailing, checking our website or social media.

We will continue monitoring guidance from health officials and any new updates about the Center will be sent out as updates occur. For now, we hope that you will continue to contact us for any needs, questions, concerns, or information.

Our current business hours are Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. You may contact us through our main phone line at (979) 776-5505, through our email at info@bvcil.org, through Facebook at www.facebook.com/bvcil, or you can watch for updates on our website at www.bvcil.org/updates-on-bvcil-response-to-covide-19.

Please stay safe and wash your hands!

As of 3/23/2020 – BVCIL is following the shelter in place rules and will continue to be closed through April 7th. Staff are able to work remotely to assist anyone looking for resources or information. Our transportation is now providing trips for people going to medical appointments only.

As of 3/20/2020 – BVCIL has extended the closure date through April 3rd. Transportation services will still be provided for medical appointments, grocery store visits, and getting to/from work.

Notice sent on 3/15/2020 – As we continue to monitor the information provided by health officials regarding COVID-19, we have discussed what ways we can maintain a safe work environment and public space to those who walk through our front door. Our goal is to protect the health and well-being of all visiting individuals, our staff, and our community. With this in mind, we have decided to close down our offices to the public until March 31st. This will allow for proper sanitation efforts as well as for our staff to help our community in other ways. While our doors will remain open, our goal is to limit the amount of people entering our facilities. If you need information or assistance, please choose to call us at our main line, (979) 776-5505, or email, info@bvcil.org, and we will work with you in making sure your needs are met.

Effective Monday, March 16th:

  • All classes, group events, and activities are cancelled through the end of March.
  • Let us know if you need assistance with supplies, appointments, or other services that may become harder to receive.
  • While we are closed to the public, our staff will still be working to provide services – so please contact through phone or email for any information or service needs.

We will continue to monitor guidance from health officials over the next few weeks. Any new updates regarding our Center will be sent out. You can also keep an eye on our website (http://bvcil.org/updates-on-bvcil-response-to-covid-19/) or our Facebook (www.facebook.com/bvcil) for updates on our classes, programs, and events.

If you have any questions about the BVCIL responses to COVID-19 and/or services we may be able to provide, please contact our office at (979) 776-5505 or by email at info@bvcil.org.

As of 3/15/2020 – BVCIL facilities will be closed to the public until March 31st. All classes, activities, group events, and other events are cancelled until further notice. Please call or email for service or information requests.

Governor Greg Abbott Proclaims October Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month

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Governor Greg Abbott Proclaims October Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month

 

Throughout our state’s history, Texans with disabilities have played an outsized role in making Texas the greatest state in our nation to live, work and raise a family. Demonstrating the remarkable qualities of the Texas spirit – courage, independence and ingenuity – Texans have filled some of our highest offices, fought in historic battles and contributed to the art and culture of our state.

Each October is designated Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month in Texas. The state’s observance was enacted by the 82nd Texas Legislature with the passage of HB 3616. This law encourages public schools and state agencies to celebrate the accomplishments of people with disabilities. The intent is to increase public awareness of the many achievements of people with disabilities, to encourage public understanding of the disability rights movement, and to reaffirm the local, state, and federal commitment to providing equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.

In Governor Abbott’s 2016 Proclamation, he encourages all Texans to learn more about the achievements of Texans with disabilities who have contributed so much to our society and about the disability rights movement as it takes its rightful place as part of the story of Texas. There is no better place to learn about the story of Texas and Texans with disabilities role in our state’s rich history than the University of Texas at Arlington.

 

The Story of Texas Told Through the Lives of Texans with Disabilities

By Dr. Sarah F. Rose, Director, and Trevor Engel, Disability Studies Minor, University of Texas at Arlington

People with disabilities make up about twenty percent of the population of the United States and worldwide: one of the largest minorities. Yet their history—and their fight for full civil rights and equal opportunity—is just beginning to be told.

As is often the case, Texans have played a prominent role, especially in the disability rights movement that led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. “Godfather of the ADA” Justin Dart, Jr. crisscrossed the country during the 1980s, talking with ordinary Americans with disabilities about the barriers they faced. As executive director of the National Council on Disability, “Architect of the ADA” Lex Frieden guided the drafting of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bob Kafka of ADAPT of Texas, in turn, organized grassroots protests crucial to raising legislators’ awareness about longstanding, systemic barriers.

For those seeking to learn—or teach—more, one could hardly do better than explore the thousands of virtual artifacts and teaching tools available at the online Disability History Museum (http://www.disabilitymuseum.org).

Closer to home, University of Texas at Arlington’s new Texas Disability History Collection website http://library.uta.edu/txdisabilityhistory/ showcases Texas’s central role in the disability rights movement, especially adapted sports and access to higher education, among many other topics. Students in UT Arlington’s Disability Studies Minor http://disabilitystudies.uta.edu —the first such program in the South—can also study the history of disability. Established in 2013 and sponsored by UTA’s Department of History, the Minor explores the experiences of people with disabilities, as well as how conceptions and representations of disability have shaped human experience.

 

Editor’s note: During National Disability Employment Awareness Month the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities invited partner agencies and organizations to contribute to our state’s conversation on disability history and employment of people with disabilities. Our leading partner for Texas Disability History Awareness is the University of Texas at Arlington.

 

The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (Committee) provides GovDelivery updates for informational purposes on a variety of disability related issues for a diverse audience. Updates may include information provided by external sources. The inclusion of this external information does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the Committee or the Office of the Governor of any information, policy, product, or service offered by an external source.

City of Bryan Accepting Applications for Bryan Leadership Academy

City of Bryan Accepting Applications for Bryan Leadership Academy

Have you ever wondered how potholes are repaired or how the fire department is able to respond so quickly to emergencies? Are you curious how the City of Bryan prepares its budget or decides where a park should be located?

Now’s your chance to learn more about your local government!

The City of Bryan is now accepting applications for the 2016 Bryan Leadership Academy. BLA is a 10-week class that meets each Monday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from February 8-April 18 (off March 14 for Spring Break) and includes a graduation ceremony. BLA gives its participants an inside look at the operations of the City of Bryan to help improve citizens’ understanding of city government and the role they can play in the government system.

At each class a light meal will be provided and participants will hear presentations from representatives of more than 20 city departments. BLA is free, but space is limited to the first 25 eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited seating.

In order to be eligible for BLA you cannot be running for or currently serving in a political office. Participants must also be able to attend each class, and participants who miss more than one session will be dropped from the program. Eligible applicants must be a senior in high school or older.

The deadline to apply for the academy is January 22, 2016, or until the class is filled. Applicants can apply online at: www.bryantx.gov, or they can mail, fax, or walk-in completed applications to Sally Jurica at the Bryan Municipal Office Building. Applicants will receive a notification of acceptance by January 29.
For more information:

Sally Jurica

Bryan Leadership Academy Coordinator

979-209-5100

www.bryantx.gov/bla

For Media Inquiries:

Gina Florence

Communications and Marketing Supervisor

979-209-5140