INFORMATION, RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES

Newsletter | 2026 Giving | Summer Derby | Conversation360 | ​Fiesta Especial | AccessAbility fest | Community

A BEAUTIFULLY DIFFERENT DERBY
JULY 18TH, 2026 | 5:00 PM | RETAMA PARK

Join disABILITYsa for A Beautifully Different Derby, an unforgettable evening of live horse, camel, ostrich, and zebra racing that celebrates inclusion and community. On Saturday, July 18, 2026, guests will gather at Retama Park for derby fashion, a hat contest, a silent auction, and plenty of trackside fun supporting people with disabilities in the greater San Antonio area. Proceeds fuel disABILITYsa’s programs that strengthen connections, promote inclusion, and expand opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. 
Buffet | Races | Hat Contest | Prizes | Silent Auction | Swag | & More
More event details, ticket information, and sponsorship opportunities are available through the button below. Admission is limited to the first 50 people. Hope to see YOU there!

FIESTA ESPECIAL ROYAL COURT
LEADERSHIP & LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM: NOW ENROLLING 

Enrollment is now open through August 21 for the Fiesta Especial Royal Court Leadership and Life Skills Development Program, a one-of-a-kind opportunity for individuals with disabilities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and engage meaningfully in their community. Through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and personal growth opportunities, participants gain valuable skills that extend far beyond the program—empowering them to lead, connect, and thrive.

20th annual accessability fest
october 3rd, 2026 | travis park

There are so many ways to be part of the 20th Annual Celebration of AccessAbility fest this October, whether you attend the festival and/or conference, sponsor, exhibit, or volunteer. This milestone event brings our community together to celebrate inclusion, showcase resources, and create meaningful connections, and every role plays a part in making it a success. Join us in the way that fits you best and help us continue building a more accessible and inclusive San Antonio.

DIGITAL NAVIGATIONS WORKSHOP
Thursday, AUGUST 13th, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Looking for assistance in navigating the Disability Benefits applications and process?  Join disABILITYsa as we welcome Julio Perez from Disability Benefits Assistance to walk us all through the steps to success! 
​
Join us Online or In-person at disABILITYsa | 2515 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, Tx, 78212

LEARN-A-LOTERIA
TUESDAY, August 11th, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

disABILITYsa invites you to experience our Digital Navigation programs with the classic Lotería game with a digital twist. Participants play while learning helpful technology tips and building digital skills in a welcoming and interactive environment. Come play, connect, learn, and win prizes with us!  

Prizes include: Wireless Mouse, Headphones, Floppy Disk Coaster Set. Food and drinks are available for purchase. 

Sugar Daddies Catering Co. | 1135 Mission Rd., Building 9, San Antonio, Tx, 78210

CONVERSATION 360: VOTING+ & DISABILITY
SEPTEMBER 10th, 2026 | 5:30 - 8:00 PM

Voting in elections is one of the most important ways we can shape our community, but your voice has power to make change all the time, not only during elections. Civic engagement ranges from volunteering on committees to voting in elections to participating in rallies and marches. Barriers to meaningful civic engagement create social, health, and economic disparities for people with disabilities, but we can work together to remove barriers and get involved.  

This conversation creates a space to share experiences, discuss challenges, learn about resources, and  explore the many ways that we have power to shape our community– through voting, writing our representatives, serving on boards and committees, and getting involved in civic action. Join us to discuss making change through casting your vote and sharing your voice.

Purse-u-ability auction & loteria
SAVE-THE-DATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2027

Get ready to kick up some dust as we begin planning for the 2027 Purse-u-ability with an exciting Rodeo theme. This signature event brings together creativity, community, and impact, and it all starts with a dedicated planning team to bring the vision to life. Join us in shaping an unforgettable experience, from theme development and auction curation to sponsorship and event design. Be part of a team that makes a lasting difference in support of disABILITYsa’s mission.

SHAPE MORE INCLUSIVE RESEARCH
participant INTEREST FORM

At disABILITYsa, we believe people most affected by systems and services should help shape the research that informs them. EmpowerED and EmpowerAccess bring lived experience and research practice together to advance equity and access. Whether you bring community insight, advocacy experience, or research training, there’s an opportunity for you here. 2026 training sessions will be offered in-person, online, and on-demand. 

This interest form is brief, accessible, and not a commitment—just a way to let us know you’re interested and what support you may need.
Your donation fuels programs in 2026! 
Together, we have the capABILITY of making San Antonio the #1 community where people with disabilities want to live, learn, work, and play!

We need your financial support to sustain our programs that directly impact the disability community in San Antonio. Your generous donation will go straight toward keeping our programs affordable and even FREE...and making a very real difference in the lives of our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Click an option below and make a difference TODAY! 

2026 Giving:  Make a donation to help fund disABILITYsa so together, we can sustain and grow our programs into 2026.  Your donation and financial support make it possible for our team to fill the gaps as we educate, advance, and engage the disability community in San Antonio. 

Did you Know? Beginning Jan. 1st, 2026, individuals who do not itemize deductions can claim an above‑the‑line charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for qualifying cash donations to disABILITYsa. This special deduction reduces taxable income even for standard‑deduction filers, increasing the potential tax benefit of giving.

Extra, Extra Read all about it!
2025 YEAR IN REVIEW NEWSLETTER POSTED

It’s not too late to make an impact. Catch up on disABILITYsa’s 2025 highlights and see how your support has advanced disability inclusion in San Antonio. Your year-end gift today helps sustain and grow programs that strengthen and support people with disabilities while building a more accessible community through 2026.

community advancement
AMPLIFying THE CONSIDERATIONS OF
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

At disABILITYsa, we believe that meaningful progress starts with listening to and uplifting the voices of those with lived experience and the allies who support them. Through surveys, advisory panels, leadership initiatives, and civic engagement opportunities, you can actively contribute to shaping policies, programs, and awareness efforts that advance equity and inclusion for the disability community. Whether you're looking to share insights, serve your community, or grow as a leader, your involvement makes a difference.

Disability-lived Experience Panel: Share your disability lived experience to help shape a more inclusive San Antonio! Join disABILITYsa’s Lived Experience Panel to provide real feedback on accessibility, planning, and training when organizations seek community insight. Your voice matters—it helps create a city where everyone belongs.

​Improving Healthcare Survey: Brief survey for people who are blind or have low vision to better understand these barriers and identify what helps or hinders navigation in newly constructed healthcare environments. 

​Housing Focus Group: Join disABILITYsa for a Conversation 360: Housing & Disability, a community dialogue designed to amplify the voices of people with disabilities and our support networks. Using the City of San Antonio’s Special Housing Supply “Meeting in a Box” tools, this conversation will create space to name real barriers to accessible, affordable housing, explore what is (and isn’t) working, and surface concrete ideas the City can use as it updates long‑term housing plans.  [Sessions are available with both in-person and virtual options throughout the day. ASL will be provided at one or two of the afternoon sessions, but we are still in the process of confirming interpreters.]

​Housing Survey: The City of San Antonio is gathering information about barriers different people face when looking for affordable housing that meets their needs. As we approach the halfway point of the ten-year plan for affordable housing (SHIP), COSA wants to know how to better meet San Antonio resident's needs. Survey Closes Dec 22nd.

OUR MIGHTY COMMUNITY
join our mighty network of donors

As a Mighty Community member, you gain access to exclusive content created just for you—special updates, sneak peeks at upcoming initiatives, and invitations to unique opportunities for connection and feedback. These touchpoints are curated to help you stay informed, inspired, and actively engaged with disABILITYsa’s mission throughout the year. To learn more or become a member, visit disABILITYsa’s website and look for details about joining the Mighty Community with Inclusive Access.

HEAR US ON K-LOVE!
community conversation

Listen in as our Co-founder & CEO, Melanie Cawthon sits down with host Felipe Aguilar to discuss disABILITYsa's programs and services and the growing needs and barriers faced by the disability community.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP program
​disability advANCEMENT in san antonio

The Service & Leadership (SLP) helps individuals to identify opportunities for leadership and service to the San Antonio community.  disABILITYsa provides training for both people living with disabilities and others in the community who are interested in advancing disability considerations by engaging in volunteerism, service on nonprofit boards, and participation in strategic conversations about the future the San Antonio community.  This program specifically works on providing the tools, resources, and connections for participants to amplify the voices of the disability community as a whole.

PROGRAM SUPPLY WISH LISTS
SHOP FOR DISABILITYSA ON WALMART & AMAZON

​We are trying to utilize the space we have in the most efficient way possible and we’re hoping you might be able to support our efforts with an additional donation of some supplies.  
GATHERING THE EXPERIENCES
SHARE YOUR 2021 EXPERIENCES
disABILITYsa is working to collect the stories of those living with a disability within the San Antonio community.  Sharing stories and experiences will help keep the voices of San Antonians with disabilities part of the future planning discussions.
PARTNERS IN THE DISABILITY VOTE
JOIN THE PARTNERSHIP TODAY!
The disability vote includes people living with a disability, family members and friends, advocates, educators, professionals, providers, bureaucrats, and supporters. The disability community has a major stake in the outcome of this election. Issues important to people with disabilities must be part of the platform for any candidate running for public office, be it a City Council position or for Mayor.

The disability service providers, leaders, retailers, and groups of San Antonio are invited to join in a collective effort around The Disability Vote in San Antonio.

Our efforts will be focused on: 
  1. Getting topics of interest for people with disabilities into the candidate debates and forums for the upcoming May election. 
  2. Get out the Vote! Ensuring those living with disabilities are registered to vote and understand how to exercise their voice in the election process. 
  3. Break down barriers that continue to prevent individuals with disabilities from actively participating in the election process.

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
  • Introductory Level - $60/year
  • Basic Level -  $120/year
  • Supporter Level - $250/year
  • Benefactor Level - $500/year
  • Sustainer Level - $1,000/year

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

FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS MEMBER OPTIONS
  • Basic Level - $500
  • Supporter Level - $1,000
  • Benefactor Level - $2,500
  • ​Sustainer Level - $5,000

A full description of member benefits are available online.

invest in the mission

Donation Button
disABILITYsa PayPal Giving Fund
disABILITYsa received 501c3 Tax Exempt status effective of January 1, 2017.
Click for other Financial Support Options

what's next?

A Beautifully Different Derby
July 18th, 2026
Learn-A-LOTeria
 August 11th, 2026
Digital Navigations
​Disability Benefits
Aug 13th, 2026
Convo360: Voting+ & Disability
September 10th, 2026

connect with DISABILITYSA

Guidestar Seal of Transparency
Strengthening Nonprofits Through

giving
creatively

Shop with CouponBirds to save, earn cash and support disABILITYsa.

Go to Earn & Donate

VOLUNTEER OPS
Click on the links below
to volunteer with us!
​Or send an email to [email protected].

Outreach Ambassadors
​Holiday Open House
Fiesta Especial Coronation
disFORUM
Purse-u-ability Auction
Fiesta Especial Celebration Day
Join our Volunteer Facebook Group to stay updated on upcoming opportunities.
If you would like to contribute information for this site, please email us at  [email protected].
​We are unable to provide advice or referrals, so please refer to our Resource page if you need help finding services.
disABILITYsa