ARCHIVE

COVID-19 & DISABILITY
April 20th, 2021
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:35 PM
ONLINE: ZOOM
​Barriers to information, health care, technology, employment, housing, recreation, education, and transportation are a daily fact of life for most individuals with disabilities. These barriers intensify during emergencies and it is important to understand the unique challenges impacting the disability community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The "Gathering Experiences of People with Disabilities During COVID-19" Survey is complete and we'd like to share our findings as we engage in conversation around the results and recent updates in the areas of the vaccine, education, employment, and access to food, shelter, and medical care.
SCHEDULE:
6:00PM - Welcome & Introductions
6:05PM - Survey Results Summary Presentation
6:30PM - Small Group Discussions on Focus Areas in Breakout rooms
7:05PM - Small Group Discussions on Focus Areas in Breakout rooms
7:35PM - Reflection & Input 

To read more about our conversation leaders, click here

CONVERSATION FACILITATORS:
  • Education​​​
    • Margie Barrera, Texas Education Agency (TEA)
    • Magaly Diaz, Partner's Resource Network
    • Angel Crawford, Disability Rights Texas
  • Food Scarcity​
    • Melanie McGuire, San Antonio Food Bank
    • Ariana Barbour, Meals on Wheels
  • Employment​
    • Michael DeFrees, Workforce Solutions Alamo
    • Janice Onyejiako, Workforce Solutions Alamo
    • Maggie Cromeens, Texas Workforce Commission
    • Emily Boncek, Texas Workforce Commission
  • Vaccine / Healthcare​
    • Junda Woo, City of San Antonio Metro Health
  • Shelter / Housing​
    • Richard Keith, City of San Antonio Department of Human Services
    • Erika Rojas-Mora, Uplift Programs - San Antonio Water System
    • Anabel Villa, City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department
    • Ann Zaragoza, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
  • Transportation
    • Franki Martin, Press Community Center
    • Sylvia Castillo, VIA Metropolitan Transit
  • Digital Access
    • ​DeAnne Cuellar, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) & Senior Planet
  • ​Socialization
    • ​​Mike Bennett, Arc of San Antonio
    • Jennifer Weatherford, Texas Regional Para Sport
    • Audrey Sutterfield, STRAPS
EXHIBITORS:
  • Exhibitors Coming Soon...
ACCESS INFORMATION: Deaf interpreter services and other accommodations may be provided upon request. Accessible parking and ramp access available at venue.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: 
  • General Public looking to become better informed citizens and broaden their perspectives.
  • ​Community Leaders
  • Educators
  • ​Employers
  • Special Education Teaching Students
  • Disability Study Students
  • Concerned Citizens
  • Corporate Disability Interest or Affinity Groups
  • People with disabilities
  • Parents/guardians of children with disabilities
  • Caregivers/supporters of adults with disabilities
  • Professionals who provide services to people with disabilities
Facilitators (Invitation Only) and Exhibitors are welcome to
​register their participation by clicking here.
Conversation 360° In-Person Volunteer Position Descriptions
Greeter Volunteers: Greet people at the door and welcome them into the event.  Ensure they sign-in and pick up any applicable materials.
Host Volunteers: Help distribute writing materials and index cards or stickies as needed.  Help distribute and collect surveys and question cards at the conclusion of the evening. 
Support Volunteers: Assist attendees with writing and reading activities throughout the evening. 
Social Media Volunteers: 
​Interact with disABILITYsa users on Facebook and Twitter throughout the course of the conversation, highlighting ideas, quotes, and video coverage of the conversation. 
PLANNING TEAM: Year round commitment to serve on the planning team to help create and implement the programming for the Conversation 360°.  Team meets at least once a month.
A BETTER EARTH & DISABILITY
April 6th, 2021
Time: 5:45PM - 8:00PM
ONLINE: ZOOM
​‘Going Green’ means to live life, as an individual as well as a community, in a way that is friendly to the natural environment and is sustainable for the earth, and Earth Day is the annual day of awareness that celebrates the green lifestyle.  Earth Day spurs us to see our environment — and one another — in a new way, to turn the invisible into the visible, to transform the disposable into the invaluable. Earth Day also reminds us that we're part of an interconnected ecosystem that's sensitive to human impact and that we're part of an interconnected regional economy that's sensitive to environmental forces. Join us in conversation as we explore how the disability community can help lessen our impact as we engage in discussion around DME recycling, sustainable gardening and health, medicine disposal, proper med disposal, accessible outdoor opportunities and more. This #EarthDay, we're uplifting + centering our disability communities in the fight for #EnvironmentalJustice!
SCHEDULE:
5:45pm - Exhibitors
​6:30pm - Introductions & Breakout Room Navigation
6:40pm - Small Group Discussion
  • Recycle / Reuse
  • Food Sustainability
  • An Accessible Outdoors
8:00pm - End
CONVERSATION FACILITATORS:
  • Recycle / Reuse
    • ​Kate Phipps, Project MEND​
    • Angelika Kluna, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio
  • Food Sustainability 
    • Dominic Dominguez, Gardopia Gardens
    • ​Cecile Parrish, William R. Sinkin Eco Centro and Garcia St. Urban Farm
    • Jovanna Lopez, Eco Centro Alamo Community Colleges

  • An Accessible Outdoors
    • Tony Forshage, San Antonio City Parks Department
    • Nora Gonzales & Xavier Sanchez

To read more about our conversation leaders, click here

EXHIBITORS:
Facilitators (Invitation Only) and Exhibitors are welcome to
​register their participation by clicking here.
DATING & DISABILITY
FEBRUARY 2ND, 2021
Time: 5:45PM - 8:00PM
ONLINE: ZOOM
SPECIAL NOTICE: Participants must be 18 years of age or older or have parent's permission to participate in this Conversation 360°
Does the dating with a disability taboo exist simply because it’s not talked about enough?  Well, let’s talk about it!  For many, the dating world has become a cesspool of people looking for their “perfect” partner and only focusing on looks and their idea of the “perfect” partner. Add in the fact that a person has any kind of disability, and people tend to make a long list of assumptions. Dates can be fun whether a person is living with a disability or not. There's lots to do that’s fun, accessible, and that everyone can enjoy. People living with a disability aren’t all going around looking for nurses; everyone wants an actual partner, someone to love. Intimacy is possible, even if it requires some adaptation.
SCHEDULE:
5:45pm - Exhibitors
​6:15pm - Introductions & Breakout Room Navigation
6:30pm - Small Group Discussion
  • Safety & Dating: Conversation around safely dating when meeting new people, what to do if you don't feel safe, and where you can go for help if you experience abuse within a relationship.
  • Meeting Others: Conversation around how and where to meet others; when to disclose a disability within a relationship or with online dating; finding accessible activities and venues for dates; and how to incorporate or utilize caregivers when engaging in a first date or within the meeting scene. 
  • Diversity & Inclusion: Conversation around the relationships among the intersectionality of different abilities, ethnicities, and gender as well as the issues around being a partner versus being a caregiver.
  • Youth & Dating: Conversation around youth, sexuality, disability, and dating, where health education is available for students in special education programs, and what resources are out there to support youth.
  • ​Romance: Conversation around sexuality and disability and the taboo around the idea that people with disabilities are looking for meaningful, intimate relationships.
7:40pm - Exhibitors
CONVERSATION FACILITATORS:
To read more about our conversation leaders, click here. 
EXHIBITORS:
  • Love Shack Boutique; ​​Amy Gonzalez
  • San Antonio AIDS Foundation​​; Maria Alvarez​
  • The Pride Center San Antonio; Erica Alcocer
  • UTSA Department of Social Work; Heidi Rueda
  • WinkWink Boutique; Jenn Mason
  • Bloom Consulting; Natalie Hulsey
Facilitators (Invitation Only) and Exhibitors are welcome to
​register their participation by clicking here.
HIGHER EDUCATION & DISABILITY
December 1st, 2020
​5:45pm - 8:00pm
ONLINE: ZOOM
Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, conditions for students with disabilities have become more accessible and equitable in colleges and universities. However, this work is far from over. We must continue to improve our programs, structures and facilities for students and build better support systems for students with disabilities and their faculty and staff.
5:45pm - Exhibitors
​6:15pm - Introductions
6:30pm - Small Group Discussion
  • College, Certification or Trade School?
  • Supports to Break Down Higher Educational Barriers
  • I finished my degree/certification… now what?
  • My student has a disability… how can I support them?
7:40pm - Exhibitors


CONVERSATION LEADERS: 
  • ​I finished my degree/certification… now what?
    • Mike Zucker, The University of Texas at San Antonio Career Center
    • Julia Stotts, Professional Contracted Services, Inc.
  • Supports to Break Down Higher Educational Barriers
  • College, Certification or Trade School?
  • My student has a disability… how can I support them?
​
To read more about our conversation leaders, click here. 
EXHIBITORS: 
SPEAKER / SPONSOR / EXHIBITOR
Registration Available Here
I HAVE A VOICE & DISABILITY
DISCUSSION LEADERS: 

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

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/

FIESTA ESPECIAL ROYALTY
​CREATE VISIBILITY
(MUSIC FROM THE PAST WITH FLAMBEAU)

The 2019 Fiesta Especial Royal Court participated in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade on Saturday evening bringing visibility to the ABILITY of all.  The theme was "Music from the Past" and our court reflected on a few musicians who live with disabilities.  Check out the KSAT12 Coverage!

FIESTA ESPECIAL ROYAL COURT
MAKES AN IMPACT ON THE MEDIA!

The 2019-2020 Fiesta Especial Royal Court made headlines in the news last month as they safely traipsed across San Antonio to six different organizations distributing checks made possible from their diligent campaign efforts this past fall. Over $14,000 was distributed between The Kabuki Gathering, Kinetic Kids, Sunshine Cottage, Autism Treatment Center, Family Service Association, and Morgan's Wonderland.  To top off the week, the court paraded in front of the home of our Executive Director, Melanie Cawthon, to celebrate the $23,935 from their campaigns that will go toward covering the costs of the Fiesta Especial Celebration Day this fall.  

Click on some of the links below to check out their stories: Keep a watchful eye on our Fiesta Especial facebook page this week as we celebrate each check presentation with our Fiesta Family!
disABILITYsa