Initiative Description
TTAP partnered with the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilties and other stakeholders on a Task Force to develop policy recommendations, information, and training on the critical need of power back up for dedicated medical equipment and assistive technology in emergencies. Three relevant outcomes occurred as a result: 1.) conducted and archived virtual training of solutions for DME/AT during power failures, 2.) participated in a Public Utility Commission Hearing on responses and concerns to power loss for individuals with disabilties during Winter Storm Uri to guide future policy chances, and 3.) provided feedback to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on the funding of generators for people with disabilties and our input expanded the types of generators supported. The task force continues to tackle this challenge and would eventually like to see high capacity back up batteries also funded by a variety of state sources.
Lessons Learned/Replication
Recorded training can be found here: https://gov.texas.gov/organization/disabilities/webinar-archive-emergency-management. The Texas PUC has taken the task force considerations under advisement but has indicated there will be no action at this time. The task force continues to meet and will maintain the dialog. Guidance provided by HHSC regarding the provision of any type of generator a consumer might need (not just gasoline powered).