Like many of our nonprofit partners and friends, CTD is no stranger to the ground shifting quickly under our feet. In the last few weeks, we are not only readjusting to new ways of working, but also setting new expectations about what our work looks like. All of our staff has been working remotely, and remains available through email, phone, fax, and social media channels. In particular, our CDS Division had dozens of moving parts to discuss and coordinate, which we successfully implemented in less than a 24-hour time frame. We are proud to report that there has been no interruption in services to our CDS consumers. At the onset of 2020, CTD staff was looking forward to many events, from our arts programming to preparations for the 2021 legislative session to collaborations with state and national partners. Members and friends, we are still looking forward to connecting with you. We will be adapting our arts and legislative events to virtual spaces, and we are actually excited to try out some new things and connect with members near and far: - We've tried out our Lion & Pirate open mic series on Zoom and are looking forward to the next one on May 3!
- We've re-envisioned our participation in the annual ADAPT FUN*RUN, where each runner will be running their own solo route to raise money for disability rights.
- Details are in the works right now to move our Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival and Raise Your Voice! advocacy roundtables totally or partially online.
What hasn’t changed is our commitment to our core values of ensuring consumer direction and choice, facilitating the many forms of grassroots advocacy and self-advocacy, and promoting the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of life. What also hasn’t changed is the critical need for disability advocacy. In fact, it may be more important now than ever. Decisions at the federal level are happening quickly, and it is because of the rapid and robust response of disability groups around the country that our community’s interests are represented at all in those decisions. While the 2021 Legislature seems like a ways off, we should leverage the opportunities of the current moment to ensure that, at the state level, our efforts are organized and our voices are heard. In this time of uncertainty, CTD first and foremost sends our well wishes to you and yours. We invite you to recommit—as we have—to our mission of building a society where every Texan with a disability can work, live, learn, play, and participate fully in the communities of their choice. |