2003 Annual Convention

The 25th Annual Convention of The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities was held in Houston from September 19-21, 2003. If you attended, thanks for helping make this an excellent convention. For those unable to attend, here are some highlights:

  • An advocacy kick-off! Sam Chandler, Linda Pickle, Dennis Borel and ADAPT’s Gene Rodgers issued a demand for all members of the Texas congressional delegation to co-sponsor MiCASSA while saluting the ADAPT March and rally. Linda, Gene and Dennis did a local TV interview immediately following.
  • Political speakers Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Congressperson Sheila Jackson Lee delivered dynamic speeches, focusing on issues of interest to the disability community. Stayhorn addressed state financing of services and Jackson Lee spoke to the fight for the preservation of the ADA and promised to sign on to MiCASSA.
  • “The best keynote speech ever” by National Council on Disability Chairman Lex Frieden, calling on all advocates to rededicate themselves.
  • AARP President Gus Cardenas announced a pilot initiative with CTD to push for livable communities in three sites in Texas. Cardenas described the collaboration with CTD as a national model for AARP.
  • Terrific workshops on Grass Roots Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Mental Health Advocacy and Accessible Sailing. “Erosion of the ADA” was a highlight with ILRU attorneys and Elaine King Miller, the plaintiff in the notorious Texas Tech ADA case currently before the 5th Circuit Court.
  • Annual awards were presented in eight categories to outstanding organizations and individuals. Larry Johnson, radio announcer and award winner, quoted Justin Dart in a stirring acceptance speech.
  • CTD’s advocacy agenda was established through spirited debate on proposed resolutions. A very special moment occurred when 9 year old Rasha Kawar, a person with cerebral palsy, used her speech synthesizer to present a resolution on accessible restrooms on airplanes. As over 100 adults loudly voiced their approval, there was not a dry eye in the house. Delegates also elected a new CTD Board of Directors with Linda Pickle of Houston elected President.
  • International mountaineer Gary Guller and several members of CTD’s Team Everest ’03 expedition told the inspirational story of their historic success on the world’s tallest mountain. Jaws dropped at video footage of the team moving along the rugged Himalayan trails, dealing with ice storms, swinging bridges over deep gorges, thin air and nearby avalanches. A rowdy cheer and long ovation was led by Congressperson Sheila Jackson Lee.
  • It looks like it should fall over. The ibot mobility device was on display, easily lifting a user to eye level with a standing person, climbing stairs and balancing on only two wheels.
  • Friends old and new. A nice perspective was added by several of the original CTD pioneers of 1978, rededicating themselves to disability advocacy.

Many thought this one of the best disability conferences in years.

We will continue to work hard for Texans with disabilities. There is much to do and let us all rededicate ourselves to advocacy.