INFORMATION, RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES

AccessAbility fest | EmpowerED | Giving Day | Healthcare Provider Training | Share Your Voice
Your gift makes a difference! 
Together, We Can Make San Antonio the #1 Community for People with Disabilities!

We need your help on the disABILITYsa Campaign of Giving! Our goal is to raise $90,000 to support our programs that directly impact the disability community in San Antonio. Your generous donation will go straight toward our programs, making a very real difference in the lives of our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Learn more about how your help can make a difference! 

​FALL INCLUSION PROGRAMMING 
BOTANICAL GARDENS | MCNAY ART | ZOO | BALLET

BOOtanica - October 25th
disABILITYsa will be at the Botanical Gardens with our Sensory Room, Universal Changing Space, Activities, and more!  Free admission for families who sign up with disABILITYsa. 

Family Day - November 2nd
Join disABILITYsa at the McNay Art Museum for Family Day.  We will be on location with our Sensory Room, Mobile Changing Unit, and more! 

Celebrate Community - November 8th
disABILITYsa will be a part of the Celebrate Community at the Botanical Gardens and you're invited to join us! 

Dream Night - November 8th 
Join disABILITYsa at the San Antonio Zoo for this special, invitation-only event designed to celebrate children and young adults with diverse health needs and their families. 

Alamo City Arts Concert: Homage - November 16th
Alamo City Arts is generously sharing free tickets with the disABILITYsa community to their upcoming Symphony Viva concert, Homage. 

Illuminate - December 3rd
disABILITYsa will be at the Botanical Gardens for a sensory friendly experience during Illuminate. The evening will include our universal changing unit, sensory, room, and quiet trails.  The first 100 guests to register with disABILITYsa receive complimentary admission. 

The Nutcracker - December 12th - 14th 
Through the generosity of the Children's Ballet of San Antonio, disABILITYsa is able to offer our families the opportunity to attend this amazing performance for free!  This year's performance features the talents of several young performers with disabilities.  

EMPOWERED RESEARCH WORKSHOP SERIES
OCTOBER 10TH, 17TH, 24TH, AND 31ST | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Participant Action Research (PAR) is a collaborative and empowering approach to research that involves individuals directly affected by particular issues.  Community- based Participatory Research (CBPR) is when people, organizations, and researchers work together as a team to study and improve things that matter to their community.  EmpowerED Training provides participants with the knowledge and skills to better participate in local research initiatives.
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The disABILITYsa program consists of
  • Four 1/2-Day Trainings
  • Graduation Day + Focus Group Discussions

During the four 1/2-day trainings, participants learn to frame research questions, develop their voice based on the disability-lived experience, understand collective-advocacy, and collaborate in community-based research projects. Participants who fully complete the four week training and participate in graduation will receive a $400 stipend. 
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DISABILITYSA Campaign of giving

Every day, your support opens new doors of possibility for our community. Discover how your involvement can make a real and lasting difference—whether through learning about our mission or making a life-changing gift. Click below to learn how you can help build a brighter, more inclusive future—your impact begins today.

DISABILITY FRIENDLY HEALTHCARE WORKSHOP
December 12th, 2025 | 11:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Advance Your Practice with the Disability-friendly Healthcare Provider Workshop!  Join healthcare professionals across San Antonio in building more accessible, welcoming care environments for people with disabilities.

This hands-on workshop delivers practical strategies, expert insights, and continuing education credits—all at no cost. Take the next step toward inclusive, equitable care and register today!

I HAVE A VOICE
Opportunities to speak up & share Experiences

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.

IMPROVING HEALTHCARE SURVEY

A Survey for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

​disABILITYsa is conducting this brief survey, an in-person observational research study, and focus groups to better understand these barriers and identify what helps or hinders navigation in newly constructed healthcare environments across San Antonio in partnership with UTSA.

Fiesta Especial® Poster Contest WINNERS!

Every year we ask participating Special Education classes to bring a thank you poster to Celebration Day. We had so many wonderful and heartwarming submissions to our poster contest this year and want to thank all of our participants. Congratulations to our winners!

Extra, Extra Read all about it!
2024 YEAR IN REVIEW NEWSLETTER POSTED

Catch up on all things disABILITYsa and read our latest newsletter by clicking here.

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.

DISABILITYSA IS NOW LOCATED 
​AT THE SAHT HISOTRIC MCILVAINE FARMHOUSE!

03/12/2024 - The San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation, a 501(c)(3), has partnered with disABILITYsa to occupy a historic farmhouse owned by the Foundation, which served as their headquarters from 2001-2023.  As part of a five-year lease agreement, disABILITYsa will pay only $1 per year to lease the property and will in turn commit to preserving & maintaining the historic building as well as provide accessibility improvements to serve their needs...

​“I am so excited to partner with such an inclusive agency.  disABILITYsa so closely aligns with the core values of the San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation in terms of moving forward our community in terms of equity and justice,” said Pete Alanis, Executive Director of SAHT Foundation....
 
Melanie Cawthon, Co-Founder/CEO, disABILITYsa [stated], "As we work toward a vision where San Antonio is the #1 community where people with disabilities want to live, learn, work, and play; we depend on strategic partnerships, like the one we have with the SAHT, to help change and improve the way we include disability considerations in the future planning of our community.” 

Read the full joint press release from disABILITYsa and The San Antonio Housing Trust here.

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.  

DISABILITYSA IS HIRING!
JOIN US IN SHAPING A MORE INCLUSIVE SAN ANTONIO

disABILITYsa is a small, ambitious organization with a culture of high expectations and a deep commitment to service. At disABILITYsa we work hard, love our work, and really enjoy serving the community.  Our team is supportive, encouraging, and creative.  We conduct our work in alignment with our core values of Respect, Integrity, Diversity, Abundance, and Resolve.  

disABILITYsa authentically embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Over the next 2-4 months, disABILITYsa will post to fill the following positions:  Program Director and Administrative Director.  Deadline to apply is Friday, July 25th, 2025.

Keep an eye out for new postings for our Program Manager and Administrative Support Specialist(s) - coming soon!
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.

connect with DISABILITYSA

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

See the Calendar for more.
AccessAbility fest 
& abilityMARCH
October 4, 2025
Digital Navigations Workshop
​​October 10, 2025
EmpowerED Research Training
October 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2025
disABILITYsa Day of Giving
October 28th, 2025
Fiesta Especial BIG Reveal
December 7, 2025
Healthcare Provider Training
December 12, 2025
Holiday Open House
December 17, 2025
Purse-u-ability Auction
​March 3, 2026
Guidestar Seal of Transparency
Highly Recommended by Locals On Alignable
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].

Fiesta Especial Kick-off
AccessAbility fest
Outreach Ambassadors
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