Coalition of Texans with Disabilities

05/14/2026

Missed Cinema Touching Disability last fall? We're happy to announce another opportunity to view last year's films, as CTD and Imagine Art are partnering on a summer film series in Austin!

🍿 Join us for a series of three community gatherings featuring independent short films, dinner, and a social hour!

Flyer text:
Film Series
Cinema Touching Disability at Imagine Art
Summer Short Film Screening Series
Last Thursdays 7pm, May 28, June 25, July 30
Featuring short films from the 2025 Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival
Films by and/ or about people with disabilities
Dinner & Social Hour 6:00
30 minute short film program 7:00
Free popcorn
Free Entry
Live + Make Gallery
Open Door 6PM
Questions and access requests: [email protected]

05/14/2026

Reminder for Austin folks! Austin Emergency Management will be training two Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) cohorts for 2026 (in June and August).
This program empowers community members with disaster preparedness skills through a mix of classroom learning and vital hands-on training. Free! More info the post below.

Austin folks, Austin Emergency Management is offering two upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training cohorts for 2026.
This program empowers community members with disaster preparedness skills through a mix of classroom learning and vital hands-on training. Free!

Learn more in the fyer below or visit: https://www.austintexas.gov/ready-central-texas/education-and-training (scroll to Community Emergency Response Team)

Flyer text:
CERT COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
2026 BASIC TRAINING CLASSES
Educating community members about disaster preparedness through classroom and hands-on training.
Course Dates:
JUNE 1-4
1-7 PM (daily)
Rutherford Campus (RLC), Rm. 118
1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin, 78754.
AUGUST 21-23
August 21 (5:30-9:30 PM)
August 22-23 (8 AM - 7 PM)
Rutherford Lane Campus (RLC), Rm. 118
1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX 78754
Austin Emergency Management
austintexas.gov/preparedness-training

05/13/2026

Reminder, ADAPT of TEXAS is holding a 504 march & press conference next Tuesday, May 19, in Austin. More details in their press release below!

ADAPT Texas press release

How would you like to wait 36 years or 53 years to get a checkup or x-ray?
Do you think the government should be able to terminate your life if you become “defective” from injury/illness?
What if your hospital insisted on speaking to you in a language other than your spoken one?
Texas Attorney General Paxton is promoting these kinds of problems for people with disabilities with his lawsuit Texas v. Kennedy (formerly Texas v. Becerra).
He says the Health and Human Services rules for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are unconstitutional. Medical facilities and social services have been given a 53-year pass on doing what everyone else had to do years ago. Places that get federal financial dollars should provide access and not discriminate.

Make no mistake, this is just the beginning of a campaign to strip people with disabilities of their hard-won rights to equal treatment, being equally valued and having access to society.
Tell Paxton to withdraw from this lawsuit. Don’t let him take us back to the bad old days.
People with Disabilities fought for integration for decades. We won our integration mandate through the 1999 Olmstead Decision, when the U.S. Supreme Court stated that people with disabilities have the right to live in the most integrated setting.
This is why we must demand that General Paxton take Texas off the lawsuit, Texas v. Kennedy.
Please Join Us on Tuesday, May 19th.
If you want to March: Meet to the left of the Price Daniel Sr. State Office Bldg.,
209 W. 14th Street. Just behind the LEAD ON! drop off location
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 19th at Noon
Please bring a sign about 504 and what it means to you

Press Conference: 1PM at 300 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Call or write Paxton: 800-252-8011 or PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548
If you have any questions, you can contact: Cathy Cranston at [email protected] or
Ron Cranston at [email protected]

Image description:
A repurposed photograph of a patch with dark blue, beige, and dark red horizontal stripes. There's a white star at the top and a white outline of the state of Texas at the bottom. The text over the graphic reads, "Don't Mess With 504 Call Paxton 512-463-2100"

05/11/2026

Friendly reminder: if you're planning to vote by my mail in the upcoming primary runoff election, the Vote by Mail ballot application receipt deadline is this Friday, May 15! See the League of Women Voters of Texas' post below for tips on getting your app in on time!

The Vote by Mail ballot application receipt deadline is in 1 week! That means if you plan to Vote by Mail in the 2026 Texas Primary Runoff Election, you need to send in your application NOW! Because of the USPS new rules regarding the definition of “postmark,” your Vote by Mail application must be processed (not received) by USPS by May 15th.

*The best thing to do to make sure you don’t miss the deadline is to drop off your Vote by Mail application in person at your county’s election office OR get your application hand stamped at the post office and send it by certified mail.

Visit VOTE411.org/lwvtx or LWVTexas.org for more information.

05/11/2026

Coming up in Austin, 2 events sponsored by Superior HealthPlan:

Wednesday, May 13: All-Abilities Social Club! Free bowling, snacks & drinks, and fun! More info in attached flyer.

Thursday May 21: Superior Hygiene Closet Day
What: Distribution of personal hygiene items to the community.
When: 3pm-5pm
Where: Austin Voices Webb Family Resource Center
7048 Roland Johnson Dr.
Austin, TX 78752

Flyer text: All-Abilities Social Club. Free event held every month for special needs adults, 21 and older, looking to socialize with other special needs adults. Join Us! Second Wednesday of Every Month from 4:00 to 6:00pm. March-July. Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex 1156 Hargrave Street Austin, TX 78702

05/08/2026

Coming up, May 18 in Austin, it's a Chair Fair at Texas NeuroRehab Center! This event will provide patients with hands-on education and exposure to a variety of mobility and rehabilitation solutions.

Lots more info for attendees and vendors in the attached flyer!

Flyer text:
Kerring Group Medical presents in partnership with Ottobock Care Team
Chair Fair at Texas Neuro Rehab
Educate. Empower. Enhance Lives.
May 18, 2026. 110:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join Kerring Medical Group and the Ottobock Care Team for a collaborative Chair Fair at Texas Neuro Rehab. Together, we are bringing resources, education, and solutions directly to patients, inpatients, and their families.
About Texas Neuro Rehab: Texas NeuroRehab Center is a specialized inpatient rehabilitation facility focused on providing intensive neurorehabilitation services for individuals recovering from brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, and other complex medical conditions. The facility supports patients through structured therapy programs designed to improve independence, mobility, and quality of life, while also assisting families with education and discharge planning.
Location: Texas NeuroRehab Center, 1106 W Dittmar Rd, Austin TX, 78745
A stronger community, better outcomes.
By bringing multiple medical professionals and resources together, we provide patients and families with guidance on next steps for their lifestyle before being discharged-support and insight they may not otherwise receive without an event like this.
Please Bring! We kindly ask all vendors and attendees to bring easy grab-and-go snacks or drinks for guests who will be coming and going throughout the event. Kerring Group Medical will be providing light refreshments, including finger foods, cold cuts, and Starbucks coffee.
VENDORS INVITED!
NO CHARGE TO PARTICIPATE
We invite medical professionals, programs, and companies to showcase their services, equipment, and education..
GREAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY Connect with patients, families, and clinical staff in a meaningful way.
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Educate and empower patients with valuable information and resources.
BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
Strengthen our community of providers and improve continuity of care.
BETTER PATIENT EXPERIENCES
A collaborative approach that enhances outcomes and supports the whole patient journey.
TO RSVP AS A VENDOR: Please email Cierra Cano directly to confirm your participation.
Tables will be provided
Bring your best educational materials, equipment to showcase, and your best team to represent your organization, program or company.
We recommend arriving 30 minutes early to allow time for setup
TOGETHER, WE CAN CREATE A STRONGER COMMUNITY OF RESOURCES, KNOWLEDGE, AND CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
We look forward to seeing you there!

05/07/2026

Coming up, Tuesday, May 19, in Austin: ADAPT of TEXAS is holding a march & press conference in support of 504!

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is once again under threat. Join ADAPT to demand that Attorney General Paxton withdraw Texas from the lawsuit, Texas v. Kennedy. More info in the post below.

How would you like to wait 36 years or 53 years to get a checkup or x-ray?
Do you think the government should be able to terminate your life if you become “defective” from injury/illness?
What if your hospital insisted on speaking to you in a language other than your spoken one?
Texas Attorney General Paxton is promoting these kinds of problems for people with disabilities with his lawsuit Texas v. Kennedy (formerly Texas v. Becerra).
He says the Health and Human Services rules for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are unconstitutional. Medical facilities and social services have been given a 53-year pass on doing what everyone else had to do years ago. Places that get federal financial dollars should provide access and not discriminate.

Make no mistake, this is just the beginning of a campaign to strip people with disabilities of their hard-won rights to equal treatment, being equally valued and having access to society.
Tell Paxton to withdraw from this lawsuit. Don’t let him take us back to the bad old days.
People with Disabilities fought for integration for decades. We won our integration mandate through the 1999 Olmstead Decision, when the U.S. Supreme Court stated that people with disabilities have the right to live in the most integrated setting.
This is why we must demand that General Paxton take Texas off the lawsuit, Texas v. Kennedy.
Please Join Us on Tuesday, May 19th.
If you want to March: Meet to the left of the Price Daniel Sr. State Office Bldg.,
209 W. 14th Street. Just behind the LEAD ON! drop off location
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 19th at Noon
Please bring a sign about 504 and what it means to you

Press Conference: 1PM at 300 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Call or write Paxton: 800-252-8011 or PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548
If you have any questions, you can contact: Cathy Cranston at [email protected] or
Ron Cranston at [email protected]

Image description:
A repurposed photograph of a patch with dark blue, beige, and dark red horizontal stripes. There's a white star at the top and a white outline of the state of Texas at the bottom. The text over the graphic reads, "Don't Mess With 504 Call Paxton"

05/04/2026

Research opportunity! Raising Texas Voices is a statewide survey led by Baylor University and TCU. This project is listening to people with disabilities and their families across Texas to better understand what matters most in their lives and communities.

You can participate if you live in Texas, are at least 18, and are:
A person with a disability,
A parent or caregiver of a person with a disability, or
A sibling of a person with a disability.

Learn more at www.RaisingTexasVoices.org

05/01/2026

Coming up Thursday, May 7: our friends at Art Spark Texas are holding an art session that blends poetry with animation for young adults with a physical disability. More info on the attached flyer!

Flyer text:Join us!
Are you a young adult (ages 18-30) with a physical disability?
We'd love for you to join us for a fun, creative art session that blends poetry with animation. Learn new mixed collage techniques while making animation with your phone.
This is part of a community research project to learn from folks like you. After the event, a member of the research team will follow up with you to gather your feedback. This will be scheduled with you separately, at a time and in a way that is convenient for you.
You will get a $25 Visa gift card to thank you for your time.
Thursday, May 7th from 2-4pm
Art Spark Texas
1152 Bernard St., Austin, TX 78702 ◊
Venue is fully wheelchair accessible.
If you would like to participate, please contact: Katie Winters, PhD
katie [at] artichokeeval [dot] com
(503) 956-6432 *Text is ok!

04/29/2026

THIS. "For many voters with disabilities, the biggest barriers are not the ballot itself, but the systems people rely on to navigate the process on time, including gaps in home care, transportation and access to assistance."

With two elections coming up in May, advocates say gaps in support services can make voting a time-consuming challenge for many people with disabilities, despite legal protections guaranteeing access.