Annual Conventions of the CTD
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CTD/Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
Report on 2007 Convention
The 29th Annual Convention of The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities was held in Austin from April 9-11, 2007. One of the largest conventions ever with over 200 in attendance, CTD’s co-host was the Brain Injury Association of Texas.
The theme was “Think Tank”. Why Think Tank? Because we focused on learning about breaking public policy, discussing the issues, then applying that knowledge with visits to legislative offices in the state Capitol and followup contacts. This is the type of advocacy that works.
Here are some highlights:
- We opened with a media bang, a press conference featuring Mikail Davenport, welcoming his return from the incredible Legless Lizard Tour de Tejas, his 950 mile cycling journey from El Paso to Beaumont. The Legless Lizard drew national media to disability issues.
- Friends old and new gathered at the opening reception with an inspiring multimedia presentation by Argonaut Gene Rodgers. Rodgers, a person with quadriplegia, told his tales with amazing images of him skydiving, riding camels, ocean sailing, scuba diving, trekking the Mt. Everest trail and more.
- 6:45 AM Tuesday: John Curnutt and Dave Hopson from the panhandle met with House Appropriations Chair Warren Chisum, their state representative. The powerful legislator has not been accessible to advocates, but set aside time for John and Dave from his district for a discussion on key state budget items, including the waiting list for community services.
- Keynote speaker Representative Patrick Rose, chair of the House Human Services committee encouraged advocacy and expressed his appreciation for the views of people with disabilities.
- Representative John Davis, chair of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Human Services, joined the luncheon and was recognized for his key support of funding for traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
- A workshop track for brain injury professionals with top presenters drew new participants to CTD.
- Excellent advocacy track workshops on Critical Bills, the Community Attendant Workforce Crisis, the new Medicaid Buy In, and Consumer Directed Services were presented by experts.
- Tuesday evening was spent enjoying downtown Austin. With the convention hotel located near Austin’s famous 6th Street, Congress Avenue and the warehouse district, attendees were within easy walking/rolling distance from Texas’ top entertainment area.
- “The best advocacy panel ever”. We heard that remark a lot after key legislative directors from the offices of Rep. Mark Strama, Rep. Rafael Anchia and Sen. Bob Deuell gave insider strategies on effective advocacy. A highly interactive presentation, the panelists answered numerous questions and gave their take on key legislation on accessible voting, ADA rights and advanced directives, among other important topics.
- Adjourn, but not adjourn! After the formal convention closed on Wednesday morning, a large group went directly to the State Capitol, just minutes away up Congress Avenue. Armed with position papers and legislative packets, advocates blanketed the Capitol for several hours.
If you attended, thank you for making this a great convention! If you did not attend, we hope to see you at our next convention in September 2008. Make a difference!
Are you getting the CTD Messenger, our electronic newsletter and our email Raise Your Voice! action alerts? If not send your email address to wgreer@cotwd.org
CTD is committing to raising our voice and continues to work hard for Texans with disabilities.
2006 Annual Convention
Raise Your Voice!
Speakers at the 2006 Convention
Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for governor |
Chris Bell, Democratic candidate for governor |
Roger Williams, Texas Secretary of State (left with Gene Rodgers and Philip Bellard) |
Barbara Ann Radnofsky Democratic candidate for Senator |
Gov. Rick Perry, Republican candidate for Governor Governor Rick Perry sent a special video message outlining his policy on disability. |
Kinky Friedman, independent candidate for Governor |
Raise Your Voice!
The 28th Annual Convention of The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities was held in Corpus Christi from September 22 – 24, 2006. The CTD Convention put together a terrific slate of political speakers as impressive as any organization in Texas, with all four candidates for governor participating and US Senate candidate Barbara Ann Radnofsky. There was plenty of other good stuff, such that many CTD veterans called this year “the best ever”. If you attended, you were part of an excellent convention.
The theme this year is “Raise Your Voice!” and called attention to two upcoming events critical to people with disabilities: the November 7 election and the 2007 Texas Legislature. Here are some highlights:
- The USS Lexington is an actual WWII aircraft carrier and the site of a pre-convention media event with Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams on the VOTEXAS campaign to promote the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The CTD contingent quickly became the media focus on the windy deck with David Fowler of the Paralyzed Veterans of America the lead story in newspaper coverage.
- Friends old and new gathered at the opening reception with a HAVA theme. New voting technology was sampled by many and Secretary Williams delivered a rousing keynote address, then spent another hour visiting with CTD members, many of whom he’d met around the state.
- The first general session opened with a cheer for “350 Miles…7 Days…By Hand!”, the video documentary on CTD’s Capitol Ride.
- US Senate candidate Barbara Ann Radnofsky (D) impressed many by pledging to support federal disability issues like MiCASSA and protection of HAVA rights.
- New state practices explained. Jonas Schwartz of DARS spoke on the new Medicaid Buy-In (employment) and Colleen Horton of the Texas Center for Disability Studies addressed STAR Plus Expansion (Medicaid managed care). Extensive question and answer sessions followed each presentation.
- Rick Perry via custom video…the incumbent and current Republican candidate, Gov. Perry, says he believes Texas is better off for the contributions of people with disabilities and cited his support in 2005 for extra funding to reduce community services waiting lists.
- The awards luncheon began with welcoming remarks from Corpus Christi Mayor Henry Garrett. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, honored as Public Servant of the Year for his authorship of the Texas ADA bill, vowed to “kick the door down” for the ADA in 2007. The luncheon concluded with a high energy speech from independent gubernatorial candidate Carole Strayhorn.
- Excellent workshops on Livable Communities, the Community Attendant Workforce Crisis and Disaster Preparedness were presented by experts.
- The grassroots resolutions process laid out several new issues for CTD to support. Comments and changes were made on most.
- Saturday's happy hour was on the town…at the nearby Executive Surf Club, a joint for old hippies and surfers. Wheelchair dancers later filled the open air dance floor.
- What a way to close! Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman created a buzz with his colorful personality, black cowboy hat and cigar. After his speech, Kinky graciously posed for many photographs. He was immediately followed by a very different candidate, Democrat Chris Bell, who targeted specific disability issues in his speech. Both Bell and Kinky extended their time for lengthy question and answer sessions.
Raise Your Voice! The convention is over, but this message lives on. Encourage everyone you know to vote. Make a difference! Then, keep raising your voice and make sure your legislators know what you think.
CTD is committing to raising our voice and continues to work hard for Texans with disabilities.
