Disability-Related Speaker Stipends

TCDD has funding available to support presentations on disability-related issues at conferences in Texas. Funding for these stipends is made available through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.

Stipend Intent

TCDD stipend support is available for conference speaker presentations on disability-related topics at established in-state professional or informational conferences, workshops, seminars, or legislative advocacy skills training events. Stipend support for conference speaker presentations is limited to events conducted in Texas.

Speakers knowledgeable about disability issues can provide event participants with information about best practices in providing services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) and can directly promote self-advocacy and self-determination. Such presentations are intended to enhance opportunities for individuals with DD to exercise choice and control in their lives and can promote independence, productivity, and community inclusion for people with DD.  

Eligibility

TCDD stipends are available to community organizations, for-profit businesses, nonprofits, municipal entities, colleges, and universities. Individuals are not eligible to receive stipends.

An applicant must also:

• be an organization that has a valid or pending approval in SAM.gov for its Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and its account is active; and
• be registered and in good standing as a Texas state vendor.  

Stipend Requirements

Stipend applications must be submitted least 60 days before your event date. Applications must demonstrate:

• the proposed presentation topic(s) focus on best practices for providing services and supports to individuals with DD or directly promote self-advocacy and self-determination;
• the proposed presentation will be consistent with the mission, philosophy, goals, and positions of the Council; and
• the mission of the sponsoring organization is consistent with the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of the Council.

Limitations

TCDD stipends are intended to provide support to individuals and family members who would otherwise be unable to participate. Stipend awards should prioritize Texas residents who have not previously attended the event.

Activity Report

Stipend recipients must submit a final activity report summarizing the conference activities, event attendance, and the individuals supported to attend the conference. Stipend recipients are asked to share any speaker evaluation feedback or stories from those who attended the speaker’s session.

Terms

Organizations that receive funding will be responsible for complying with all rules and procedures of TCDD.

Requests for Reimbursement (RARs) and activity reports must be submitted within 30 days after the event is completed. Payments are made based on reimbursement after the event is conducted.  Documentation and receipts are required for all expenditures.

Funding is limited to one $7,500 conference presentation grant per organization per year for one in-state meeting, conference, or workshop. Multiple speakers may be supported until this maximum is reached.

A minimum of 10% in matching funding is required as a share of the direct costs. For example, if the applicant requests $7,500 from TCDD, the organization must contribute $750 in matching funding for a total budget of $8,250.

All match, both cash and in-kind, can only come from non-federal sources and must be for direct and allowable costs as defined in 45 CFR, Part 75. Applicants may submit more than 10% match if available. For more information on sources for allowable match, please visit our Grantee Resource Center or review our video on meeting match requirements.

Application and Submission Process

Stipend applications must be submitted least 60 days before your event date. Applications will be reviewed and selected by TCDD based on allowable costs, availability of funding, and whether the event is consistent with the TCDD mission and federal funding requirements. Any requested revisions to an application made by TCDD must be returned within five (5) days of the request to avoid dismissal of the application.

Applications must be emailed to apply@tcdd.texas.gov. If you have any questions about this stipend application, please email your questions to apply@tcdd.texas.gov.

How to Apply

To apply for this stipend, please complete the stipend application form (PDF). Then, email your completed form to apply@tcdd.texas.gov.Stipend recipients must submit a final activity report summarizing the conference activities, event attendance, and the individuals supported to attend the conference.  Organizations are expected to gather information and report the number of self-advocates and number of family members supported to attend with TCDD funds including names, email addresses, gender, race/ethnicity, geographic region of residence. Conference sponsors should also gather personal stories from participants about their conference experience and how they plan to use the information.  For speaker stipends, organizations must report overall conference attendance, as well as speaker name and email, presentation topic, speaker ratings (survey or zoom poll), and any stories about the conference experience. The report must be submitted with the Request for Reimbursement within 30 days after the conclusion of the event. A report template will be provided.