Disability Consulting Services and Advocacy
Through governmental advocacy, public awareness activities, and professional disability consulting, CTD ensures that persons with disabilities may work, live, learn, play and participate fully in the community of their choice.
CTD Staff
CTD Staff
Top Row (left to right): Rachel Griffin, William Greer, Bryson McCall Smith, Dennis Borel, Tanya Barrow, and Erica Ysla
Bottom Row (left to right): Sarah Watkins, Susie Angel, and Chase Bearden
Dennis Borel, Executive Director
Dennis Borel is frequently called on for research, policy analysis and recommendations to the Texas Legislature and state agencies on issues surrounding disabilities. His service on advisory groups includes an appointment by Gov. Rick Perry to the State Independent Living Council. He has successfully advocated for positive change in government policy and practice in employment, transportation, housing, health care and architectural barriers to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in community life. Dennis has twenty-seven years' experience as a senior manager of nonprofit organizations, during which time his programs have received numerous state recognitions and national awards from HUD, the Points of Light Foundation, the New York Interactive Film Festival, the Barbara Jordan Media Awards and the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management. In 2006, the University of Michigan awarded him the national James Neubacher Award for promoting rights and increasing opportunities for people with disabilities and in 2009, he won the National Advocacy Award from the National Council on Independent Living. He is a former high school teacher and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco.
Rachel Griffin, Consumer Directed Services Coordinator
Rachel started with CTD in August of 2009. Rachel handles Consumer Directed Services' client payroll operations. Consumer Directed Services enables people with disabilities who need help with daily living activities to hire and manage their own attendants. Clients submit timesheets to CDS, and CDS administers payroll checks and reporting. CDS is a cost-effective way to enable people with disabilities to live in and participate in their home communities, and Rachel's hard work and dedication helps to make CDS a success. Rachel is a native Texan, born in San Antonio. She has extensive bookkeeping experience and in her free time is an accomplished amateur photographer and graphic artist.
William Greer Information Technology Specialist
William Greer joined the staff of the Coalition after working as a volunteer for CTD for a year. He wishes to improve civil rights for Texans with disabilities, especially regarding inclusive employment, education, Internet accessibility and voter participation. William was recognized as the volunteer of the Year in central Texas by the Austin American statesman in 2004. William also created and organized the annual Cinema Touching Disability film festival to raise awareness of disability issues.
Chase Bearden
As Director of Advocacy for the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Chase Bearden is frequently called on for research, policy analysis and recommendations to the Texas Legislature and state agencies on issues surrounding disabilities. His service on advisory groups and boards includes appointments by Gov. Rick Perry to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas and the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. He has successfully advocated for positive change in government policy and practice in employment, transportation, voting, housing, health care and architectural barriers to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in community life. Chase has received the Legislative award from the Texas Rehabilitation Association, the President’s award from the Texas Physical Therapy Association and the Advocates award from the Down Syndrome Association. He has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and worked for the St. David’s Medical Center running community programs focused on empowering youths and adults with disabilities through sports and recreation.
Bryson McCall Smith
Bryson McCall Smith has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently works in CTD’s Consumer Directed Services Division. He also serves in a community outreach & advocacy capacity working with such groups as the Austin Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, the League of Women Voters-Austin Area, Community Now, & ADAPT of Texas. He is also an organizer of White Cane Day & Disability Mentoring Day.
VISTA PROJECT: E3 Engage, Elevate, Emerge
Laura Perna Marketing and Outreach VISTA
2011 marks the beginning of Laura's second VISTA term with CTD. She is excited to resume working in communications and continuing the Pen 2 Paper creative writing contest, which she founded in 2010. A Dallas native, Laura received her BA from the University of Texas at Austin and her MA from New York University. She joined Austin's non-profit community in 2009 as an administrative assistant and project coordinator at the Central Texas Library System. When she's not working, Laura can be found reading and writing about comics, enjoying Austin's live music wonderland, and doting on her dog.
Susie Angel, Research & Editing Specialist
Susie has an Associates in Communications from ACC and a Bachelors from UT at Austin. She has worked as a secretary/office manager for several years. She has experience as a job developer/job coach for people with disabilities. Susie was born in New Port, RI; but was raised in Boston and California before moving to Austin 23 years ago. Her hobbies include writing, performing, dancing, and watching baseball with her other half.
Tanya Barrow
Tanya collaborates with CTD staff to get the latest CTD news, events and advocacy information out to press and social media. She designs Public Relation materials for CTD, including t shirts, sponsor packets, social media pictures and brochures.
Board |
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| Executive Committee | |
| President Crystal Lyons Corpus Christi |
Vice-President Rodney Hanneman San Antonio |
| Secretary Susan Merrick Austin |
Treasurer Frank Santos Santos Alliances Austin |
At Large Members |
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| Region 1 Eric Reed VOLAR El Paso |
Region 5 Judy Telge Corpus Christi |
| Region 2 Aaron Mann Abilene |
Region 6 Ken Carden Dallas |
| Region 3 Mike Halligan Texas Mental Health Consumers Austin |
Region 7 Gene Whitten-Lege In-Home Attendant Services Houston |
| Region 4 John R. Banik Center Point |
Region 8 Jet Schuler Touch of CLASS Tyler, TX |
History
In 1978 a diverse group of disability advocates met in Houston with the goal of forming a statewide consumer-run disability advocacy organization. These visionary Texans recognized that it was important for people with disabilities to have their own cross disability organization, a coalition that would work to break down the barriers to full inclusion in all aspects of society.
Over the years, The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) has established a proven track record of success and continues to positively influence policy and practice for the benefit of Texans with disabilities. Thirty-two years after its inception, CTD continues to work hard to ensure that people with disabilities may live, work, learn, play, vote and participate fully in the community of their choice.