Messenger e-Newsletter

Feb 22, 2024

It's been a big year already at CTD: we released our 2023 Annual Report, highlighting our work in an intense legislative year, and announced the big news that our Executive Director Dennis Borel will be retiring this spring. On the horizon, Raise Your Voice! is starting up again, and don't forget to vote in the March primary elections! More information about all of these items and upcoming events below!
 

2023 Annual Report

We are proud of all that we accomplished during this long legislative year and in the many communities we work in outside of the Capitol. Texans in power have always been resistant to fully invest in their constituents with disabilities, and we really felt that this legislative session. However, we were buoyed by our own conviction in the necessity of this work and the strength and brilliance of our partners and members.

Our 2023 Annual Report has more details of CTD’s accomplishments, such as:

  • Leading the biggest increase the Legislature has ever given community attendants, by far. While $10.60 per hour is not yet high enough, we are in a stronger position than ever to continue this fight.
  • Successfully advocating for critical legislation on school safety, consumer protections in healthcare, criminal justice, and many other issues.
  • Celebrating 20 years of our Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival!

March Primary Elections

Primary elections are coming up fast—early voting started Tuesday, February 20!

There are a ton of resources to help you make a plan to vote, figure out who you want to vote for, and respond to obstacles if they come up. We like:

  • The Texas Tribune's March 5th Primary Election Voter Guide includes information about candidates, what to expect if you're voting at the polls or by mail, and lots more.
  • The League of Women Voter's Vote411 website uses your address to give you relevant information about how to vote and candidates on your ballot.
  • Disability Rights Texas' Voting Resources include guides on the accessibility features of voting machines, mail-in voting, your rights as a voter with a disability, and more.

Problems voting or registering to vote? Questions about voters with disabilities? Call Disability Rights Texas' hotline at 1-888-796-VOTE (8683) or email vote@DRTX.org.

Dennis Borel Announces Retirement

A man with grey hair and goatee smiles placidly at the camera.

It's the end of an era! After 24 years at the helm of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Executive Director Dennis Borel will retire this spring. Deputy Executive Director Chase Bearden will take over the position.

A celebration for Dennis will take place March 22 in Austin. It's open to all, but please RSVP!

Coming up at CTD

Lion & Pirate open mic logo: a bronze lion statue with a red bandana tied to its head and black eye patch.

Lion & Pirate open mic Sunday March 3

Join CTD and Art Spark Texas for our next inclusive virtual open mic! Featured performers to be announced, then the mic is open for poetry, prose, music—anything you can perform!

MORE INFO + RSVP

AIDPH American Institute of Dental Public Health

A Community-Led Approach to Increasing Dental Benefits in Medicaid: A Texas Case Study, Friday March 8

CTD and the American Institute of Dental Public Health are holding a series of deep-dive webinars on how we successfully advocated for the addition of a dental benefit for adults with disabilities in Texas Medicaid. Join us for the launch, with our Dennis Borel!

MORE INFO + RSVP

Raise Your Voice! launch Monday, March 11

CTD's Raise Your Voice! (RYV) Advocate Connection Program resumes for 2024, taking place every other Monday into November. Join our team and disability advocates from around the state to get involved in interim advocacy activities. We'll have even more opportunities for you to RAISE YOUR VOICE at this year's series of virtual round-tables.

 

Thank you to our 2024 sponsors

UnitedHealthcare
St. David's Foundation
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

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