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 more. This newsletter may include TCDD-led initiatives as well as information from other organizations.
In this edition:
- recognizing disability employment in Texas and nationwide;
- webinars on disaster recovery and disability advocacy strategies;
- transition and employment guide for young adults with DD;
- and more.
Celebrating & Recognizing Workers with Disabilities
October is the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This annual event recognizes the important contributions people with disabilities make in workplaces across the country. This year’s NDEAM theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” NDEAM is also an opportunity to reaffirm a year-round commitment to ensuring workers with disabilities have access to meaningful jobs and the support they need to stay employed and advance their careers. Visit the NDEAM website to find additional information, including strategies to advance disability employment, job training resources for workers with disabilities, ideas to make your workplace more accessible, and more.
Honoring Texas Leaders in Disability Employment
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) have announced the 2025 winners of the Lex Frieden Employment Awards, which honors Texas employers that lead the way in disability employment and recognizes local organizations and people for their service to Texans with disabilities. The awards are named for disability rights champion Lex Frieden, a prominent leader of the independent living movement and one of the chief architects of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
TWC and GCPD will recognize the 2025 winners and host the Texas HireAbility Employer Forum from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time (CT) on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio. The forum brings together employers, business leaders, human resource professionals, and disability advocates to explore strategies for building accessible and inclusive workplaces. To find more information and purchase tickets to attend in person, visit the HireAbility forum’s registration webpage.
Navigating Texas Disaster Recovery Resources
Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) will host a webinar from noon to 1:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 30, featuring disaster recovery experts who will share strategies and resources for people with disabilities to find help during disasters. The webinar will include information for people who want to plan ahead for a potential future disaster as well as for people who are currently recovering from a disaster. Learn more and register to attend on the DRTx website.
Advocacy Strategies in Local Schools & Elections
The Texas Partners in Policymaking Alumni program will host a webinar from 6-7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Oct. 14, that will share ways for disability advocates to engage with their local school districts and with candidates in the upcoming election season. As part of the program’s continuing education webinar series, the event will cover strategies on how to start or support a special education parent advisory council and how to turn candidates on the campaign trail into disability champions. Register online to attend.
Updated Employment Guide for Young Adults
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently made updates to its Texas Transition and Employment Guide. The online resource, which includes a written guide and animated videos, provides information on statewide services and programs to help young adults with DD in the transition to life outside the public school system. The guide’s information is useful for students enrolled in special education programs as well as their parents, guardians, and family members.
Guidance on Providing Mental Health Support
TCDD’s disability community coordinators hosted a recent webinar series that offered guidance for family members, caregivers, and professionals as they support the mental health of people with disabilities. Led by licensed professional counselor Charles Gee, founder of the Cardinal Collective, the webinars shared practical tools, emotional insight, and community connection. Visit the TCDD YouTube channel to find webinar recordings on self-care and mental wellness for caregivers and direct support professionals and supporting your loved one’s mental health.
Created through a partnership with TCDD and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the disability community coordinators provide support, information, and expert resources to communities across Texas. Learn more on the TCDD website.
Quotable
"I think what we all need to understand is that advocacy is a journey. There's different points in it; there's points of frustration, there's points of joy, there's points of sadness. And just like life, there's eras. ... Take it step at a time, and if you need the help, if you need the support, reach out."
— Brianna TenBrink, TCDD leadership training program manager, in a recent interview for the podcast “Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism.” TenBrink spoke about her role leading Texas Partners in Policymaking and other TCDD advocacy programs as well as her experience as an older sibling to two sisters on the autism spectrum.
Project Spotlight: Strengthening Sexual Assault Prevention
Strategic Education Solutions and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School coordinated a TCDD-funded project to increase the number of Texans with DD who can understand and identify instances of sexual assault. The project developed training materials and educational resources for self-advocates, family members, service providers, and others involved in sexual assault response and prevention. Additionally, the project created a video series featuring self-advocates who shared insight and advice on relationships, romance, and sexuality for people with DD.
