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 more. This newsletter highlights TCDD activities and initiatives but may also share information from other organizations.
Table of Contents
Drive Change with Texas Partners in Policymaking
Texas Partners in Policymaking is accepting applications for its 2026-2027 class. The TCDD-led program offers leadership and advocacy training to people with developmental disabilities (DD) and family members of people with DD. In virtual sessions over six weekends, participants learn skills to become effective advocates for policy change. Graduates often go on to serve on boards, councils, task forces, and advisory committees. Some even run for elected office. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Central Time (CT) on March 20. Learn more and apply.
Addressing Caregivers’ Financial & Work Challenges
The National Caregiver Support Collaborative (NCSC) will host a webinar from 1-2 p.m. CT on Feb. 4 to highlight innovative practices to support family caregivers in maintaining financial stability and workplace security. The webinar will cover strategies and tools for addressing the unique workplace and financial challenges faced by family caregivers. NCSC, an initiative led by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, offers resources and technical assistance to organizations that support older and aging adults. Learn more about the webinar and register to attend.
Navigating College for Students with Autism
The Autism Society of Texas will host a Facebook Live event at noon-1 p.m. CT on Feb. 11 about navigating college for students with autism. The event will include a discussion of common challenges, available supports, and practical tips for student success. The event is part of the Seminars Across the Spectrum series. You can find additional information and resources by visiting the Autism Society of Texas website.
Understanding Texas Education Freedom Accounts
The application period for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program for the 2026-2027 school year opens Feb. 4 and closes March 17. TEFA, which was previously called the Education Savings Accounts program and is also referred to as a school voucher program, allows families to use public funding for education options outside of the public school system, including for private schools or homeschooling.
TCDD created an informational one-pager (PDF) on the TEFA program that covers eligibility and funding for students with disabilities, special education evaluations and timelines, and more. Additional information is available on the TEFA program’s website.
The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will also host a webinar about the TEFA program at 11 a.m. CT on Feb. 3. The webinar will include a program overview as well as funding opportunities designed to support students with disabilities.
Quotable
“I believe the foundations of direct action are universal and timeless.”
— Bob Kafka, in a 2007 article from New Mobility. Kafka, a longtime organizer with the ADAPT of Texas organization, died Dec. 26 at the age of 79. He was a prominent force in the disability advocacy world for more than four decades, particularly in efforts to increase access for people with disabilities to public transportation, voting, and Medicaid funding.
ADAPT of Texas will host a memorial event to celebrate Kafka’s life from 1-4 p.m. CT on Jan. 31. The event will take place at the ADAPT of Texas headquarters in Austin. Portions of the event will also be available on Facebook and Zoom. For details, visit the ADAPT of Texas website.
Building Confidence with Money Basics Training
Project Amistad’s Money Basics program supports people with DD in learning important money management skills to build their confidence in saving for the future, staying out of debt, and ultimately having more control over their lives. Since launching in 2021, nearly 350 people with DD and family members have completed Money Basics classes. The TCDD-funded program focuses on financial literacy topics that range from creating monthly budgets and opening bank accounts to applying for student loans and understanding repayment options.
Self-Advocates in Participatory Action Research
disABILITYsa is developing a comprehensive training program to engage with people with disabilities while building awareness of how important it is to involve self-advocates in research projects on disability issues. Along with a similar initiative led by Strategic Education Solutions, these TCDD-funded projects promote equal relationships between coordinators and participants in disability-related research. The projects create training opportunities and resources so people with disabilities are actively involved and have a voice in research about disability issues. Projects also strengthen the connection between researchers and the disability community.
In the Community: Lead On Transit Amenity Center
In December, TCDD joined the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, family members of Justin Dart Jr., and other disability advocates to honor Dart’s legacy by naming an accessible transit station west of the State Capitol as the “Lead On Transit Amenity Center.” Dart, an iconic figure in the disability rights movement up until his death in 2002, is often considered the “father” of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He used the phrase “lead on” to conclude many of his speeches and letters to disability advocates.
11 Lawmakers Named TCDD Legislative Champions
TCDD has recognized 11 state lawmakers as Legislative Champions for their work during 89th Texas legislative session to improve inclusion, remove barriers, and promote a better quality of life for Texans with DD. The lawmakers included:
- Rep. Alma Allen
- Rep. John Bucy III
- Rep. Mary González
- Rep. Ana Hernandez
- Rep. Suleman Lalani
- Rep. Christian Manuel
- Rep. Claudia Ordaz
- Rep. Toni Rose
- Sen. José Menéndez
- Sen. Tan Parker
- Sen. Judith Zaffirini
Following each Texas legislative session, TCDD recognizes lawmakers who went above and beyond in supporting legislation to benefit the lives of people with DD.
