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
New Optional Driver’s License Indicator for Texans with Disabilities
Texas drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing can now choose to have a special indicator on their driver’s licenses to let law enforcement know about disabilities or health conditions that might impact communication. Previously, people who qualified for the program could choose to have a “communication impediment” indicator displayed on their Texas-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards. The latest expansion adds a new “deaf or hard of hearing” option. The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities announced the change earlier this month as part of the Texas Driving with Disability Program. State officials also held a webinar to share more information and provide guidance on how Texans with disabilities can participate in the program.Survey Seeks Input on Disaster Resilience Needs
There’s still time to complete Disability Rights Texas’ (DRTx) 2026 Disaster Resilience Survey, which asks people with disabilities about the information and services they need to prepare for the next disaster or emergency situation they might face. DRTx will use survey responses to create new resources, develop community trainings, and educate emergency managers about the disability community’s needs. You can complete the survey online until May 31.One-Pager: Recognizing and Embracing Autism Acceptance
During Autism Acceptance Month in April, TCDD created an autism acceptance one-pager (PDF) that shares information about autism screening, medical diagnosis, and educational determination as well as tips and resources to provide neurodivergent support. Along with the one-pager, TCDD shared additional resources and suggestions on how to get involved in advocating for changes to improve the lives of autistic people everywhere. Autism Acceptance Month recognizes that true impact comes not from just an awareness of autism but from understanding and valuing neurodiversity while ensuring meaningful inclusion.Family Support Guide: Self-Advocates in Research Projects
Strategic Education Solutions recently published a participatory action research family support guide with information and resources for families, caregivers, and others who support people with disabilities working on research projects. The guide includes helpful tips and answers common questions about interacting with researchers, getting paid for research work, using technology, and more. Strategic Education Solutions developed the guide as part of a TCDD-funded project to promote equal relationships between coordinators and participants in disability-related research. Additional tools and resources are available on the Self-Advocate Network website.Submissions Needed for NDEAM Poster Contest
The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) is accepting submissions for its 2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) poster competition. Every October during NDEAM, GCPD features the work of a Texas artist with a disability in its annual NDEAM poster. The poster is distributed across Texas to promote awareness of disability employment and celebrate the value of people with disabilities in the workforce. Submissions for this year’s NDEAM poster are due by June 30. For more information and submission instructions, visit the GCPD website.Quotable
“We believe in taking action. We believe in seeing people with IDD live their best lives, and we try to take action to make that happen.”
Project Spotlight: Leadership & Advocacy Training By Self-Advocates
The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities is coordinating a TCDD-funded project that offers advocacy and leadership skills training to Texans with DD. Called the Advocacy Corps, or A-Corps, the project offers training, workshops, and advocacy events for participants interested in becoming effective candidates for future advocacy and policy-related jobs, including public policy fellowships.
In 2025, A-Corps participants joined the American Association of People with Disabilities Power on the Hill team in Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators and legislative staff to discuss issues affecting people with disabilities. One participant said: “It was empowering to speak with an elected representative about the issues affecting this community in such a way that not everyone thinks about.”
