INFORMATION, RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES

2018 TEXAS  DISABILITY ISSUES FORUM
​(AUGUST 14TH, 2018)

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NEED A LIFT?  Click here to reserve your seat on the disABILITYsa Charter to Austin.

The Texas Disability Issues Forum (TDIF) brings together members of the Texas disability community, major candidates for statewide office, and disability advocates to discuss current issues affecting the Texas disability community.

Link: http://www.revuptexas.org/tdif-2018-landing-page/ 

The Forum will give voters a chance to hear candidates’ positions on disability issues before the November midterm elections. The Forum moderator (provided by media partner, The Texas Tribune will lead a series of one-on-one candidate interviews. Each candidate will have roughly 30 minutes to answer questions curated from the Texas disability community. The Forum follows a nonpartisan, unbiased, and impartial format. It is not a candidates’ debate.

When: August 27, 2018, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Lunch provided!

Cost: $10, includes boxed lunch

Where: UT McCombs School of Business, Robert B. Rowling Hall, 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Austin, TX 78701 [view map].

Venue Accessibility: ASL interpretation and CART service will be provided. All other accommodations, including Large print, Braille, or electronic materials, must be requested when you register for the event.

Robert B. Rowling Hall is the newest building at UT Austin McCombs School of Business. It is adjacent to the AT&T Center. Park in the lots designated for Rowling Hall and enter the building. The Forum will take place in the Zlotnik Family Ballroom on the basement level.  Robert B. Rowling Hall can be reached by bus on routes 1, 3, 5, 18, 19, 20, 801, and 803.  Be sure to get your parking pass validated at the Forum. Otherwise, you will have to pay for parking.

The Forum will also be broadcast over Facebook live for those who cannot attend in person. Details to be announced.

DISABILITYSA MEMBERSHIP
(BE A PARTNER IN OUR MISSION!)

Your membership helps to financially support the programs and services offered by disABILITYsa, helping to fulfill our mission to educate, advance, and engage individuals living with a disability in the San Antonio community by sharing information, creating opportunities and strengthening the organizations that serve them.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OPTIONS
Basic Level $60/year ($5/month)
Supporter Level $120/year ($10/month)

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION MEMBER OPTIONS
Basic Level - $250 
Supporter Level - $500

FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS MEMBER OPTIONS
Basic Level - $500
Supporter Level - $1,000
Sustainer Level - $2,500

A full description of member benefits are available online.

TRANSITION/EMPLOYMENT PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS
(JUNE 9TH, 2018)

Free Transition/Employment Planning workshop for any parent/guardian of an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ages up to 22)
In this full day workshop you will: 
  • Hear from a parent describing the journey of successful employment for her adult son with autism
  • Learn about state and federal transition policies
  • Get educated on the benefits of social security programs for transition age youth
  • Learn about workplace accommodations/accessibility
  • Learn about self-determination skills you can teach your child to support pre-employment skill development
  • Hear about practical tips/strategies for career development for youth with autism.
WHEN
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Registration: 8:30am Workshop: 9:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE
San Antonio, TX (Details and directions will be sent one week prior to the workshop)

To immediately determine eligibility and register for the date and city of your choice click here or for more information, please email susan.greene@austin.utexas.edu

THE FEDERAL ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE ACT
(THE ABLE ACT)

The federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act allows qualified individuals with disabilities to open tax-exempt savings accounts to save for disability-related expenses without impacting eligibility for resource-based benefits. The Act permits qualified individuals with disabilities to save more than a total of $2,000 in assets such as cash and savings in their name in a qualified ABLE account.

Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota (residents only), Nevada, and North Carolina have recently launched qualified ABLE programs, bringing the total number of states with ABLE programs to 16. 

​Federal law allows qualified individuals to open an ABLE account in any state’s program that is accepting such enrollment. The states listed below in alphabetical order are accepting enrollment.
These programs are open to all eligible individuals nationwide. They are all part of the National ABLE Alliance, which offers six different investment options. The investment options have asset-based fees ranging from 0.34% to 0.38%. 

Additionally, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, and North Carolina charge a quarterly account maintenance fee of $15, which is discounted by $3.75 for those who receive statements electronically. Kansas, Minnesota, and Nevada all offer an additional $1.25 discount for state residents. Iowa charges an annual account maintenance fee of $40 and an additional $15 fee for those choosing to receive statements by mail. The minimum initial deposit is $25.

For more information, visit the National Resource Center for the ABLE Act. 

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES

If you're looking for sensory-friendly opportunities in San Antonio to engage in the life, arts, and culture of San Antonio, then check out the upcoming performances at the Magik Theatre!

Disney's Aladdin - May 19 at 2pm
Madagascar - July 21 at 2pm

​During a Sensory-Friendly performance, lights and sound effects are softened, theatre etiquette is relaxed, and all are accepted and welcomed. These performances are adjusted for accessibility, reaching people on the autism spectrum, those with cognitive disabilities, and families with very young children. These performances are sponsored by University Health System.

For tickets, visit MagikTheatre.org or call the box office at 210-227-2751. Tickets are $13.50 for adults and children; senior, military and educator discounts are available.

SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART
(BRINGING ART TO THOSE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS)

Photo of people at the San Antonio Museum of Art
The Multi-sensory Tours give visually impaired and blind visitors access to the historical and thematic content of objects in the museum collection. Tactile models, music and aromas related to each object supplement the verbal presentations given by docents. The tours inform and engage inquiry into works of art that span ancient to modern times and cultures across the world through the senses.

Art tours for all guests, 6 to 100 yrs. Free general admission the day of the tour. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Wheelchairs and guide dogs welcome. Guests invited with a companion. 

Contact: for reservations: Chris Torgerson at tours@samuseum.org. 

The Multi-Sensory Tours occur at 10am one Saturday each Month.  To learn more about the programs at the San Antonio Museum of Art, visit them online at www.samuseum.org.
disABILITYsa received 501c3 Tax Exempt status as of March 14, 2017.
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NEED A LIFT?
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VOLUNTEER OPS
Click on the links below
to volunteer with us!
​Conversation 360°
abilitySTRONG Parade (10/20)
​AccessAbility Fest (10/20)

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 14th, 2018
Conversation 360° - Voting

September 30th, 2018
Fiesta Especial Royal Court
​Campaign Kick-Off Dinner

news and announcements

Legislative News 
Check out our Legislative News section to find a link to a bill-tracking and update tool on the Alamo Services Connection.  Email us with information on the bills that are important to you.
Events 
Let us know about upcoming events that benefit people with disabilities.  Go to our Calendar link and submit information on a disability awareness event, fundraiser or educational opportunity.
See the Calendar for more.
If you would like to contribute information for this site, please email us at  info@disABILITYsa.org.
​We are unable to provide advice or referrals, so please refer to our Resource page if you need help finding services.
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