Reusable plastic (or metal) straws are a thing, and those with disabilities can use them if needed, and so can everyone else if wanted. It only takes a handful of uses to be an overall reduction in plastic used and the stiffer harder plastic is safer for animals if it ends up near them.

And Starbucks claims the plastic used in their new lids is both safer for wildlife, and easier to recycle than the plastic used in straws.

I'm not saying that I think this is overall a good thing, I'm not in any kind of position to make that kind of conclusion, but you did leave those points out of your comment.