CTD Staff

The CTD Staff:
Back: (left to right) Laura Perna, Rachel Griffin, William Greer, Dennis Borel, Kathleen Scanlon, Dyana Limon-Mercado
Front: (left to right) Chase Bearden, Ted Poynter, Sarah Watkins

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.

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 best 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

Chase Bearden has spent the last 14 years advocating for people with disabilities. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas and the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. He is often called upon to give testimony on disability issues facing Texans to Legislators and state agencies. Chase is an ongoing guest lecturer at Texas State University Therapeutic Recreation Department. He spends his free time training and playing wheelchair rugby “Quadrugby” for the two time National Champions Texas Stampede, as seen on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights.”

VISTA PROJECT: E3 Engage, Elevate, Emerge

Dyana Limon-Mercado, Communications and Development Specialist

Dyana Limon-Mercado came to CTD in August of 2009 as an Americorps*VISTA to to promote long-term sustainability through public relations and the marketing of CTD’s Professional Services, a unique fundraising strategy that provides training and consulting to companies wishing to better serve disabled Texans. She previously worked the 81st legislative session as Communications Director for State Rep. Marquez, and completed her MBA in 2008 from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dyana is a 7th generation Austinite, enjoys volunteering with several other organizations and loves running (except with William who likes to run at 5:30am).

Sarah Watkins, Operations and Information Specialist

Sarah Watkins joined CTD as an AmeriCorps*VISTA in August of 2009, and will work primarily to expand our organization’s financial capacity through grant research and writing, in support of our outreach and public awareness campaigns. Previously, Sarah served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA at United Cerebral Palsy of Texas, where she helped develop an economic transition program for people with disabilities. She earned her B.A. in Social Science from the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor and is a native Michigander. Since relocating, Sarah has discovered she loves Texas but hates air conditioning.

Laura Perna, Marketing and Outreach Specialist

Laura arrived at CTD in November of 2009 as the newest VISTA volunteer; she will be developing CTD's marketing and entrepreneurial materials, structures, and programs. Laura's long and winding path through life has taken her from her humble roots in Dallas to Austin, where she received her BA in Liberal Arts at the University of Texas, and to New York and Florence, Italy, where she earned an MA in Italian Literature and Culture from New York University. Happily back in Texas, she spends her time away from CTD enjoying good music and reading too many comics.

Kathy Scanlon, Information Outreach Coordinator

Kathy Scanlon started with CTD in August 2009 as a VISTA volunteer. As a disabled veteran, Kathy's mission is to develop and expand CTD's veterans' outreach programs and to form partnerships with the many organizations serving the needs of disabled vets in Texas. She also is working on strengthening and consolidating CTDs web infrastructure and database systems and in developing and strengthening CTD's ties with the film community. She has worked previously as a military linguist, a systems adminitrator, a computer programmer, a software technical writer, a film editor, a graphic designer, and an exam scorer. Kathy fosters rescued German Shorthair Pointers, is an occasional slam poet, and enjoys kayaking with her dogs. A native of northern (almost Canada) New York, Kathy loves Austin culture, but isn't quite as enthusiastic about the heat.

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.