Learn About Becoming a TCDD Council Member
TCDD supports Texans with developmental disabilities (DD) in making choices and achieving their goals for independent living, productivity, and community participation. We’re led by a 27-member Council that includes people with DD, family members of people with DD, and agency representatives. Council members serve staggered six-year terms, which means we regularly have open spots to be filled. If you’re a person with DD or a family member of a person with DD, this is where we need you.
Our Council members are experts in their own experience. That experience is vital to educating decision-makers and to effectively supporting self-advocates and families in becoming community leaders and influential policy advocates. Creating changes that last cannot happen without the representation and active participation of people who know exactly what it’s like to live with a disability in Texas.
Council members are advocates for people with DD and leaders of new ideas. Joining our Council is an opportunity to work with passionate people who strive to improve the lives of Texans with DD through innovative programs, partnerships, and collaborations. We need your ideas and your experiences to help us achieve our mission of creating change so all people with disabilities are fully included in their communities and exercise control over their own lives.
The Council meets every three months to:
- make decisions on grant programs and policy work;
- discuss emerging disability issues;
- share personal and professional connections; and
- talk about their own experiences and the experiences of people with DD in their communities.
The goal is to identify gaps in the system and fund projects that address them so people with disabilities are included in all aspects of daily life — such as making friends, attending college, going to work, and staying healthy.
If you’re interested in applying, fill out the interest form to get started. If you need assistance or have questions, email Koren Vogel or call her at 512-948-2035. You can also visit our website for more information about what Council members do and how to apply to join the Council. We’re happy to answer questions, explain the process, and support you in any way we can.
