DISABILITYSA PROGRAMS
disABILITYsa works alongside people with physical and mobility disabilities, people who are blind or have low vision, people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and people with cognitive or neurodivergent disabilities — building a San Antonio where everyone lives, learns, works, and plays. Our work falls into four pillars: Educate, Advance, Engage, and Strengthen. Browse below to find a program, training, or way to get involved.
educate pillar programming
Connecting people with disabilities to resources, services, and leadership development that promote independence and inclusion
- disABILITYsa.org & Community Calendar Our website is a hub for resources, services, opportunities, legislation updates, and real stories from the San Antonio disability community — built to make information easy to find.
- Navigation Services When someone reaches out for help, we connect them directly to the organization or service that can meet their need, even when it's outside our own programs.
- Digital Navigations Free workshops, an Open Lab, and our Learn-A-LOTeria game nights help people with disabilities, caregivers, and allies build digital skills and confidence — from using a phone or tablet to accessing healthcare and government services online. Offered in partnership with Digital Lift, with ASL services available.
- AccessAbility fest Our annual resource festival connects individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, and providers to thousands of services, products, and opportunities — all in one accessible, high-traffic gathering. This celebration features our disability pride march, resource festival, and educational conference.
- Service & Leadership Program Training and connections for people with and without disabilities who want to serve San Antonio through volunteerism, nonprofit board service, and civic conversations.
- Fiesta Especial® Royal Court A leadership and life-skills program for participants age 12 and up, who represent the disability community at Fiesta® events while building social, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Service & Leadership Fellows Academy [Inactive] A year-long leadership training cohort (75+ hours, January–November) for up to 20 people with disabilities and allies, with focus tracks in Women's, Civic, Corporate, and Nonprofit Board Leadership, plus Participatory Research.
- Research Training (EmpowerED) Hands-on training that prepares people with disabilities to take part in community-based participatory research — from study design to informed consent to data collection.
ADVANCE PILLAR PROGRAMMING
Shifting public attitudes and influencing city planning on housing, transportation, healthcare, and more for the disability community.
- Conversation 360° An open, community dialog format where San Antonio residents identify the real barriers to inclusion, independence, and quality of life — and start building solutions together.
- disabilitySTRONG Training Series Our ongoing community education and trust-building initiative for the San Antonio community, encompassing training in Disability Confidence, Event Planning, Museums, Healthcare Environments, Research, and more.
- Speakers Bureau We connect community groups, employers, and institutions with people with disabilities who can speak firsthand to issues in education, healthcare, transportation, housing, employment, and more with our coordinated disability-lived experience panels.
- Community Planning & Policy Advocacy Working toward advancements in housing, transportation, healthcare, social connection, civic engagement, education, and employment in San Antonio — making sure disability considerations are built into city and county plans from the start, not added after the fact.
- Community-Based Participatory Research In partnership with UTSA, UIW, and Texas A&M–San Antonio, we connect researchers directly to the disability community so lived experience shapes the studies that inform policy and practice.
engage pillar programming
Creating platforms for people with disabilities to participate fully in San Antonio's civic, cultural, and community life.
- Disability Inclusion Resource Center On-the-ground access tools available to rent or borrow for community events: the Mobile Changing Unit, Portable Changing Room, Sensory Escape Room, Adaptive Art Station, and (coming soon) a Sensory Kit Check-Out Station and Accessible Shuttle — plus consultation for organizers who want to host a genuinely inclusive event.
- Fiesta Especial® Celebration Day An inclusive Fiesta® experience for children, adults, and families of all abilities, built around community-based instruction that builds real-world life skills — serving thousands of participants and companions each year.
- abilitySTRONG March San Antonio's disability pride celebration — a public, joyful statement that disability is a natural and valued part of our community's diversity.
STRENGTHEN PILLAR PROGRAMMING
Building the capacity of organizations, coalitions, and community connections that improve independence and belonging for people with disabilities
- Collective Impact Initiative Bringing together people with lived experience, service providers, and community partners to align efforts and shape San Antonio into a city where people with disabilities can fully thrive.
- Creative Services Marketing design, layout, and printing support for fellow nonprofits serving children and adults with disabilities in San Antonio.
- Coalitions & Collaborative Partnerships We serve in steering and workgroup roles across major San Antonio collective-impact efforts — including Successfully Aging & Living in San Antonio (SALSA), the Health Equity Network, and Autism Lifeline Links — so disability considerations carry through to every table.
coming soon...
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