You simply cannot miss the incredible line-up CTD has put together for you! State Senator Judith Zaffirini has confirmed to speak at CTD’s 30th Annual Convention. As Texas’ top legislator on disability issues and Vice Chair of the crucial Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Zaffirini will provide an insider's perspective on funding for services for people with disabilities and what we can all do to effectively advocate for success.
Rep. Rick Noriega, candidate for U.S. Senate, and Barbara Ann Radnofsky, always a friend of the disability community and planning on running for Texas Attorney General in 2010, round out a great slate of speakers from the world of politics.
In conjunction with the Texas Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA),and local co-host SAILS , CTD’s 30th Annual Convention will be held on September 5-7 in San Antonio at the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel. In addition, we will hold the following four breakout sessions:
On Saturday, we will feature the Texas premiere of “SWIM”, a documentary film about two servicemen who attempt to swim the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Europe and Africa. This journey, featured on Good Morning America, was an effort to raise awareness of the many veterans returning to the U.S. with service-related disabilities.
CTD will hold an Extreme Sports Panel on Sunday, featuring athletes with disabilities who participate in quad rugby, kayaking, skydiving and shooting sports. Plus, you can help determine CTD’s advocacy goals during our classic grass roots resolutions process on. You won’t want to miss this landmark convention! Register today! For information on convention registration and stipends, go to www.cotwd.org and follow the convention links.
BREAKING CONVENTION NEWS!In response to CTD's invitations to the presidential candidates, the Obama campaign is looking to schedule a speaker to present Sen. Barack Obama's disability issues platform. No word yet from the McCain campaign |
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The 9th anniversary of the U.S Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision occurred June 22. In honor of the landmark ruling that defends the independence of people with disabilities, ADAPT of Texas sponsored a press conference at the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services.
The event was bittersweet, however. Representatives of The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, ADAPT and Community Now used the Olmstead anniversary to highlight shortcomings in our state’s programs. Their focus included the waiting list to receive community services and the extension of Money Follows the Person to Texans in ICF/ MR programs.
“[We have a case of] ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ when it comes to community services for people with disabilities… On one hand we have gotten 15,000 people out of nursing homes (the good), on the other [hand], there are almost 100,000 people on the waiting lists for community services (the bad) and our ICF-MR Program is the worst in the country (the ugly). The time for full community integration in Texas is now.” - Bob Kafka Organizer for ADAPT of Texas
This is your opportunity to let commercial properties know that they must build their places of business so that they are accessible to all! Lone Star Park, the horse racing facility in Grand Prairie, has settled an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) class action lawsuit. It will take 5-10 minutes of your time to make this claim. Keep the cash yourself or donate the funds to CTD.
If you use a wheelchair, scooter, walker, canes, or crutches and are disabled under the ADA and if you visited Lone Star Park before February 13, 2009 OR thought about visiting the park, but heard it was not accessible, you are a member of the class and are eligible to receive a $100 payment.
To make a claim as an adult, select this link, and if the claim involves a minor, click this link. Send it in with some evidence of your disability to the Class Action Administration at PO Box 225689, Dallas TX 75222-5689.
If you chose to contribute, your donation will help fund CTD’s disability advocacy efforts. CTD will send you a charitable donation letter for tax purposes.To find out more about the case, get additional claim forms, or find out how to object to the settlement in this suit, call 972-263-7223 or go to:
It was an honor to be an invited presenter at the Annual Leadership Conference of the National Minority Quality Forum in Washington. Not focused as a disability meeting, the theme was health disparities for disadvantaged populations. It was an incredible experience to see Jesse Jackson speak to a crowd that was mostly African-American. Probably the most dynamic speaker I've heard.
Call for entries! CTD Student Film Competition - Cash Prizes |
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