Chris Bell, Democratic candidate for governor
Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for governor
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Chris Bell, Democratic candidate for governor |
Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for governor |
CTD is having our 2006 Convention in sunny Corpus Christi right on the bay from Sept. 22nd-Sept. 24th! You won't believe the lineup of speakers we've secured: Gubernatorial candidates Chris Bell (D) & Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I) will be there, Governor Rick Perry (R) is preparing a special video message and we are working on getting Kinky Friedman (I). Also confirmed speaking will be U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Ann Radnofsky (D). Enjoy the CTD opening fun and informal reception to be held on Friday Sept. 22 in the Omni's Marina View room offering a stunning view of the water, where we will be joined by Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams.
Breakout sessions include emergency preparedness, attendant care workforce crisis, & livable communities. Other advocacy issues such as the upcoming legislative session will be discussed.
Register and reserve your room today. When calling the Omni Corpus Christi Marina Tower at 1-800-843-6664, ask for the CTD block to get the reduced room rate of $85 plus taxes.
A limited number of stipends are available and the deadline for receipt of application by mail or fax is Aug. 22. You will be notified no later than Aug. 29 if you are selected.
So please join us for fun & advocacy at The Sparkling City by the Sea. For more information or to register on-line please check our website at www.cotwd.org
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA), one of most sweeping election reforms in the last 40 years was signed into law in 2002. HAVA is improving the administration of elections while creating new mandates for accessible voting machines, polling place accessibility and training of poll workers. Secretary of State Roger Williams and CTD are partnering on voter outreach, kicking off the VOTEXAS (www.votexas.org ) program in January 2006 followed by a statewide tour and local HAVA presentations to educate voters with disabilities on how HAVA will affect them in the general election in November.
Should you be interested in attending a HAVA presentation, please review the city and date list below and call or email the contact to RSVP and/or find out the exact location of the training, which will include an accessible voting machine demonstration and refreshments:
| Tues, 8/15/06 | Jacksonville Mental Health Consumers | Jacksonville, TX | Contact: Sallie Pena 903-589-5310 |
| Tues., 9/12/06 | The ARC of Texas | Waco, Temple, Belton areas | Contact: Amy Mizcles: 1-800-2529729 |
| Sat., 9/30/06 | National MS Society | Dallas, TX | Contact: Suasan at 214-373-1400 |
| Sun., 10/1/06 | Disability Law Resource Project/Houston Center for the Blind | Houston, TX | Contact: Diego Demaya: 1-800-949-4232 |
For the first time, the National Organization on Disability has recognized Austin, home of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) headquarters, as one of three national leaders for providing accessibility and opportunity for people with disabilities.
Austin was heralded as a national model for focusing on disability issues and successful design of accessible programs, services and facilities for citizens and visitors with disabilities. Austin received a $10,000 cash prize from the National Organization on Disability to fund local disability-related efforts.
Austin was recognized by the National Organization on Disability for its list of best practices of 2005 including:
CTD is proud to have contributed to Austin receiving this national award and congratulates the Austin Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, Chairman Ron Lucey and ADA Coordinator Dolores Gonzales! The Accessible America Contest promotes nationwide replication of best practices. Consider nominating your city for this award for 2006 activities. For more info contact Ms. Sharon Belt at 202/293-5960. The deadline is October 31, 2006.
Leti McGarry, an active CTD board member in the 1980s, passed away July 10 at age 49. Visually impaired as a child, she became totally blind seven years ago. At Austin's Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, Leti helped persons who are deaf and blind develop skills that enabled them to be independent. Leti was a founding member of San Antonio Area Disability Advocates, and worked hard to advance CTD advocacy issues. CTD would like to extend our sympathy to the McGarry family.
CTD member and activist Bob Provan passed away July 6, 2006. Diagnosed with polio at the age of five, he graduated from the University of Texas Law School with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and became a prominent lawyer. Bob regularly took on insurance companies on behalf of kids with disabilities, often gaining his clients necessary surgeries and therapies. CTD extends condolences to the Provan family.
CTD would like to thank our recent generous supporters who allow us to do the work we do best: assuring that all Texans with disabilities have the freedom to work, live and play in the community of their choice.
We at Coalition of Texans with Disabilities greatly appreciate your support.
Do you or someone you know have trouble using or answering the telephone? The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD), with a grant from The Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, provides outreach efforts in Southeast, Northeast, West, North, and Central Texas.
The Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP), allows Texans who have trouble using a regular telephone (due to vision, hearing, mobility, speech or cognitive disabilities) to receive FREE specialized telecommunications equipment, regardless of the actual price of the equipment (Usually $200 - $1,500).
Equipment includes, but is not limited to the following:
If you or someone you know might benefit from this service or have any questions, please contact Del Chavez, Regional STAP Coordinator, at dgc@whc.net , (915) 751-4375..
Become a Member of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
Your Membership Counts with CTD!
Click on www.cotwd.org for more information.