CTD Staff
Bryson Smith, Dennis Borel, William Greer, Chase Bearden, and Jodi Park
Dennis Borel, Executive Director
As Executive Director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, 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 Texas Health & Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins to the Promoting Independence Advisory Council and 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-four 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. He is a former high school teacher and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco.
Jodi Park, Director of Projects & Communications
As CTD's Director of Projects & Communications since 2000, Jodi coordinates all statewide advocacy, legislative and voter education, and CTD projects and special events. Jodi also serves as an in-house policy analyst and legislative advocate, providing analyses of consumer issues, helping to develop alternatives to existing policies, and educating consumer networks across Texas. At the state level, Jodi has worked through five legislative sessions, serves as an appointee to the Secretary of State's Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Advisory Committee, and serves on a number of legislatively mandated disability-related task forces. At a local level, Jodi is a graduate of the 2006 Leadership Austin class, serves as Mayoral appointee to a city commission, and for many years has actively volunteered, focusing her efforts on issues of equity and civil rights for women, children, companion animals, and persons with disabilities.
Kelly Bremer, Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Coordinator
Kelly Bremer works with clients in seven Central Texas counties who wish to have more choice and control over their community care budget. This service delivery model allows consumers to hire, manage and terminate their attendants. As the employer of record, consumers can offer their attendants a higher wage and benefits, such as bonuses or vacation days. Kelly brings to CTD a wealth of experience in customer relations, account management, bookkeeping, and has personal daily experience with persons with disabilities. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas State University and worked previously for the ARC of Texas and the Austin American Statesman. Kelly is an active community volunteer, most recently with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, SafePlace, and HEB's annual Feast of Sharing.
VISTA PROJECT: FOCAL POINT
William Greer, Administrative and Technology Assistant
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 best volunteer of the Year in central Texas by the Austin American statesman for the work he has done as the administrative and technology assistant in 2003-04. William also created and organized the annual Cinema Touching Disability film festival to raise awareness of disability issues.
Chase Bearden
Chase has joined CTD to promote long-term sustainability through grant research/writing and private sector event fundraising. Other projects will include identifying and outreach to organizations through trainings and creating public awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities. Chase serves as a gubernatorial appointee for the Rehabilitation Council of Texas, has sat on the board of Austin Adaptive Sports and was acting president for two out of the four years that he served. Chase has volunteered many hours to local groups hoping to better the lives of kids and adults with disabilities by helping to make sure that each of their voices are heard.
Brittany Williams
Brittany joined CTD in an information specialist role with a goal of capacity building and promoting CTD’s long-term sustainability through grant research and writing. In this role, Brittany works to increase membership services and awareness through CTD special events and fundraisers. Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of Texas and is a certified teacher, having taught general and special education at the secondary level. She has volunteered many hours in her commitment to support, enhance and expand the delivery of medical care and public services, both domestically and abroad. Brittany’s extensive writing, research and editing experience provides CTD the opportunity to expand awareness of disability and civil rights issues in Texas.
Board |
|
| Executive Committee | |
| President Ken Carden Dallas |
Vice-President Rodney Hanneman SAADA San Antonio |
| Secretary |
Treasurer Frank Santos Santos Alliances Austin |
At Large Members |
|
| Region 1 Eric Reed VOLAR El Paso |
Region 5 Crystal Lyons Corpus Christi |
| Region 2 open |
Region 6 Open |
| 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. Twenty nine 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.
