INFORMATION, RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES

2020 DEAF AWARENESS WEEK
SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2020

September 20-26 , 2020. Deaf Awareness Week is a national week of celebrating deafness. It is observed annually throughout the last full week of September.

International Week of the Deaf (abbreviated as IWDeaf; used to be IWD) is celebrated annually the last full week of September (Monday through Sunday). You may also hear this week called Deaf Awareness Week, but the official name is International Week of the Deaf. It is celebrated by national and regional associations of the deaf, local communities, and individuals worldwide.

The purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to increase public awareness of deaf issues, people, and culture. Activities and events throughout Deaf Awareness Week encourage individuals to come together as a community for both educational events and celebrations.
Learn more by visiting: 
  • https://www.signingsavvy.com/deafawarenessweek
  • http://deafnetwork.com/wordpress/
  • https://www.nobacomm.org/

Learn sign language with these organizations and services:
  • https://www.lifeprint.com/
  • https://signanddine.org/
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/DEAFCOFFEESATX/

2020 virtual accessability fest
individual registration now open

AccessAbility fest offers a gateway to resources, opportunities, and recreation for individuals facing barriers to their maximum level of independence due to a physical, developmental, sensory and/or mental health challenges.
 
​The 14th Annual AccessAbility fest will kick-off virtually featuring numerous activities, information sessions, and exhibitors with information, products, programs, and services that promote independence and inclusion where individuals with disabilities live, work, and play.
This FREE celebration includes activities for the whole family to enjoy, demonstrations, webinars, and more. Advanced registration is required to attend. Register to attend by visiting the following link https://whova.com/portal/registration/acces_202010/

GATHERING EXPERIENCES DURING COVID-19
INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL SURVEY

The City of San Antonio Disability Access Office, disABILITYsa, and the San Antonio Area Foundation are conducting a survey to gather the experiences of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 response and recovery.  Your thoughts and knowledge will help us better understand the impact on our community.  The survey is in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL).   The survey can be found on the SA Speaks Up webpage or you may also go directly to the survey by clicking on the button below. 

​Questions about this survey can be directed to the Disability Access Office at 210.207.7135 or DisabilityAccess@SanAntonio.gov. 

BIAS IN PUBLIC HEALTH DATA
disability advocacy in san antonio

Join CivTechSA in partnership with the City of San Antonio’s Office of Innovation to look at bias in public health data by providing your thoughts or joining us from a community conversation.  This Community Conversations survey and event series tackles three areas where bias impacts data-driven policymaking: Identity, Reach, and Trust.

It is important that people with disabilities are part of this process so we ask you to continue the conversation by sharing your perspective. 

This series of community conversations aims to answer the questions:
  • Can we eliminate bias in Public Health data? 
    Public Health data refers to how we quantify people and the environment, leading to important conclusions that determine policy, programming, and other outcomes.  
  • How can we identify and eliminate bias from datasets that shape people’s access to public health resources, how programs are designed, and how benefits are allocated?
    Accountable, ethical uses of public information for social good must actively resist the criminalization and surveillance of low-income communities, people of color, and other marginalized populations. However, they must also work to include the diverse identities and experiences of our community.   
 
Fill out the form on the Community Conversation webpage to share your thoughts on the Priority Health Survey case study, or any of the Community Conversation topics.  The will be found near the bottom of the page in the section titled We Want to Hear From You.   
 
Please click on the webpage link at: https://www.civtech-sa.com/community-conversations/  for the form and more information on the Community Conversations.
 
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this form, please contact the City of San Antonio’s Disability Access Office at 210.207.7135 or DisabilityAccess@SanAntonio.gov

I HAVE A VOICE
disability advocacy in san antonio

The Service & Leadership Program (SLP) identifies opportunities and provides training for both individuals living with and without disabilities who are interested in advocating and serving the San Antonio community by engaging in volunteerism, service on nonprofit boards, and participation in strategic conversations about the future the San Antonio community.  While there are other opportunities for people with disabilities to learn to advocate for themselves, this program specifically works on providing the tools, resources, and connections for both individuals living with and without disabilities to advocate for the disability community as a whole.

Texas Long Term Services and Supports
WAIVER PROGRAMS SURVEY

Texas Long Term Services and Support Autism Lifeline Links (ALL) convenes community stakeholders who dedicate their time and resources to improving the quality of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).  Our Adult Community Engagement and Public Policy Workgroup has developed a survey to gain a better understanding of people’s awareness of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Waivers a.k.a. “Medicaid Waivers”. It has become evident there is a high level of misconception about what LTSS Waivers are, how to access them and their importance in improving an individual and their caregivers quality of life over their lifetime. The ALL Workgroups will utilize the survey results to drive our community outreach and public policy agenda.  Thank you for taking time to complete the survey. 

COUNT ME IN! SAN ANTONIO & BEXAR COUNTY
HAVE YOU BEEN COUNTED?  lET US KNOW

The Get Out The Count Video Challenge
As everything is changing and to lighten spirits up there is a Challenge the US Census has developed. With the ideas of people to stay indoors what better way but to have a Video challenge with up to $50,000 in CASH.
The Due date is April 11th.

This is your chance to shine and stand out on how important the 2020 Census is this year.

Challenge post on challenge.gov: https://www.challenge.gov/…/2020-census-get-out-the-count-…/

Info on Accelerate site: https://accelerate.census.gov/video-challenge/

​Remember the Census is available online at:
https://my2020census.gov/
Tell the world on your social media platforms that you've been counted!

KENS 5 RECOGNITION FOR DISABILITYSA
(PEOPLE WHO MAKE SAN ANTONIO GREAT)

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 $132/year ($11/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.

invest in our mission

Donation Button
disABILITYsa PayPal Giving Fund
disABILITYsa received 501c3 Tax Exempt status as of March 14, 2017.
Click for Financial Support Options
disABILITYsa
Business Members
Autism Treatment Center
Mass Mutual
Ride Connect Texas

CREATIVE GIVING

WHAT'S NEXT?
VOLUNTEER OPS
Click on the links below
to volunteer with us!
​
Saturday, Oct. 3rd, 2020
AccessAbility fest 
Join our Volunteer Facebook Group to stay updated on upcoming opportunities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Food for Thought Postponed
​MARCH, 2019
Elevating Meaningful and
​Measurable Outcomes.
October 3rd, 2020
AccessAbility fest /
​abilitySTRONG Parade
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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