Table of Contents
Welcome to the latest edition of TCDD Extra — a newsletter published every two months with a selection of recent disability news, resources, training, advocacy opportunities, and other information. This newsletter features TCDD-led initiatives as well as information from other disability organizations, government agencies, and news outlets.
In this edition:
- training sprints on legislative advocacy;
- back-to-school information for students with disabilities;
- plain language guide to new Medicaid rules;
- TCDD youth engagement coordinator job opportunity;
- and more.
Training Sprints on Legislative Process & Advocacy
The next TCDD Training Sprints session, titled “89th Legislative Session Lift-Off: Practice Makes Policy Change,” will offer insight and resources on navigating the Texas legislative process, tracking bills, and advocating at the State Capitol. The deadline to register is Oct. 18.
TCDD Training Sprints feature self-paced modules, live sessions, technical assistance, and networking opportunities. Sprints are perfect for self-advocates, family members, and community allies who want to advance their advocacy skills in a fast-paced environment. Find more information on the Training Sprints webpage.
School Resources for Students with Disabilities
Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) recently published a back-to-school newsletter with information for parents, guardians, and others to help children with disabilities succeed at school. The newsletter includes information on how to handle bullying, new rules for students with disabilities, a new DRTx report title “Segregating Schools and Shadow Campuses for Students with Disabilities in Texas,” and more. Visit the DRTx website to find more information and resources.
Plain Language Guide to Medicaid Access Rules
Green Mountain Self-Advocates, a disability rights organization in Vermont, has created a plain language introduction to Medicaid access rules (PDF, 27 pages, 1.5 KB). The guide is designed to help self-advocates and others understand recent federal changes related to accessing Medicaid services. The guide explains the recent changes as well as state-level government responsibilities and other important things to know for people with disabilities and others receiving Medicaid services.
TCDD Receives Texas Advocates Friendship Award
Texas Advocates presented TCDD with the 2024 Texas Advocates Friendship Award during the statewide self-advocacy organization’s recent annual conference in Round Rock. The award honors a partner or individual who has shown friendship to Texas Advocates over the past year.
In presenting the award, Brooke Hohfeld, co-executive director for Texas Advocates, noted TCDD’s support for Texas Advocates through grant awards and partnerships since the organization’s beginning in the 1980s.
“They have given us so much vital support and helped us grow to the organization we are today,” Hohfeld said.
Job Opportunity: Youth Engagement Coordinator
TCDD is seeking a part-time youth engagement coordinator to support its Youth Ambassadors program. This position will oversee the program, schedule meetings, coordinate events, gather input, and ensure program activities run smoothly. The coordinator will also mentor and guide youth participants with developmental disabilities (DD). The deadline to apply is Sept. 8.
The position requires about 15 hours per week for the six months of the project (September 2024 to March 2025). Work hours can be flexible, and the salary for this position is $25 per hour. Learn more and apply.
Supporting Families at Help Me Grow El Paso
Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center (PDN Children’s) coordinated a TCDD-funded project that helped build the capacity of an online intake center and early childhood resource directory for the El Paso area. In partnership with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Help Me Grow El Paso project assists families with young children with DD in navigating complex systems of resources and services. The project also increases public awareness of disability-related needs.
Since launching earlier this year, the project and its partners have made nearly 200 referrals or recommendations to community resources for families and have shared nearly 120 resources for early childhood development. PDN Children’s expanded on its work by launching a new workforce development project, funded by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, for future mental health care providers.
Quotable
"The Nation's proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency."
— Excerpt from the original text of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Disability advocates across the U.S. celebrated the 34th anniversary of the ADA on July 26. Along with affirming the inherent dignity of all people, the landmark civil rights law banned discrimination against people with disabilities by local and state governments; created accessibility standards for businesses and commercial facilities; protected people with disabilities from workplace bullying and harassment; and more.
