The Arc of Texas

06/03/2026

Don't miss this week's events! We'll be in Beaumont on Friday and Harris County on Saturday to talk about ! Contact your local chapters to RSVP:
June 5: The Arc of Greater Beaumont
June 6: The Arc of Harris County
June 13: The Arc of DFW Area
July 14: The Arc of Wichita County
July 25: The Arc of El Paso
August 13: The Arc of the Capital Area

06/01/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States, at The Arc of DFW Area's Tour Across Texas event on Saturday, June 13! Hear about disability advocacy work at the national level, and get tips to use your voice when the Texas legislature meets again in January. The event is free, but please register: https://thearcofdfw.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/thearcofdfw/eventRegistration.jsp

Join us for The Arc of Texas Tour Across Texas event! Not only will you hear important information regarding state-level public policy in preparation for the next legislative session beginning in Austin in January, but the CEO from The Arc of the United States will be joining us and will address the national legislative side.

Please register at tinyurl.com/arc-tour-tx-dfw or use the QR code. Be sure to share with your network and other disability organizations you may be involved with!

05/29/2026

We're heading to The Arc of Harris County next Saturday, June 6 for ! Join us to meet self-advocates, families, and allies in the local disability community, learn about The Arc of Texas’ public policy pillars, and get tips to advocate for state-level policies that support Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)!

We’re participating in and hope you can join us on Saturday, June 6th! 🧡

Join The Arc of Texas Public Policy & Advocacy Team for a free training to learn how to advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and make your voice heard.

This event is free, but please RSVP to help us plan:
https://forms.gle/wGHxQv6szPoaKMBr7

05/27/2026

Contact your chapter for details and to RSVP! We can’t wait to connect with local chapters, self-advocates and families across Texas this summer as we hit the road for ! Join us for tips ahead of the 90th Texas Legislative Session and let’s continue to make progress for and with Texans with ! Confirmed events:

June 5: The Arc of Greater Beaumont
June 6: The Arc of Harris County
June 13: The Arc of DFW Area
July 14: The Arc of Wichita County
July 25: The Arc of El Paso
August 13: The Arc of the Capital Area

When the 90th Texas Legislative Session begins in January 2027, we must continue to use our collective power to educate and encourage legislators to make decisions that help, rather than hurt, Texans with IDD. Together, we can!

05/27/2026

We can't wait to see our friends at The Arc of Greater Beaumont on June 5 for ! Visit with staff, volunteers and participants of local chapters, meet self-advocates, families, and allies in local disability communities, learn about The Arc of Texas’ public policy pillars, and get tips to advocate for state-level policies that support Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

05/21/2026

We're hiring! Apply today to join our Public Policy & Advocacy Team as Advocacy Coordinator: https://ow.ly/rtUr50Z2RRN

The Advocacy Coordinator reports to the Director of Public Policy & Advocacy and supports the team in advancing legislative and systems change efforts on behalf of Texans with IDD and their families. They play a key role in helping coordinate advocacy activities, supporting communication with local chapters and advocates, and assisting with legislative engagement efforts during the Texas Legislative Session and interim periods. The role also prepares and supports self-advocates and families to share their voices with policymakers, while strengthening grassroots advocacy across the state.

05/14/2026

Take their quick survey to see if you're a match for the study!

If you are a parent, sibling, or person with a disability sign up to take our survey today! To learn more about our research study go to: raisingtexasvoices.org

05/08/2026

This week, with your help, we testified before the House Human Services Committee on the challenges Texans with face when trying to access supports to thrive in their communities. Your voices made a difference! See what committee members had to say.

There are real opportunities to strengthen Texas’ IDD system. Collaborative advocacy makes this possible! Thanks to the nearly 60 people who acted on our call to action by commenting in the House Public Comment Portal with our sample language. Legislators heard your comments, emails and calls! And huge thanks to The Arc of DFW Area for engaging with committee members before the hearing, and for helping the DFW IDD community feel equipped to use their voice!

We’ll continue to bring your experiences and perspectives to the Capitol, both in the interim and as we prepare for the next legislative session, beginning Jan. 2027.



Thank you:
Christian Manuel

Candy Noble
Aicha Davis for Texas

05/06/2026

As Education & Outreach Manager, Ashley Melero supports The Arc of Texas Master Pooled Trust, providing case management and presentations on Future Planning 101. Guess who is always at her side? Her guide dog, Delight! Just like today, where she is listening intently at the National PLAN Alliance Conference in Kansas City, Delight travels with Ashley to support her in life and work, and advocates for the equal access of service animals like herself. Way to go, Delight!

In her free time, Delight enjoys being outside and cheering on Ashley in Beep Baseball, an adaptive version of baseball designed for visually impaired athletes, featuring a sound-emitting ball and buzzing bases to allow players to compete by ear. How cool is that?!

National Plan Alliance

05/04/2026

⏰Bet you can do this in under 10 mins! By tomorrow, May 5, tell the Texas House Committee on Human Services to prioritize investments in services for Texans with IDD. Learn what's goin on, find your legislator's contact info, and use our sample language, all at https://tinyurl.com/ActByMay5

Please share:
Texas Advocates
Disability Rights Texas
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

🚨Act Now: By May 5, Tell Texas House Committee on Human Services to prioritize investments in services for Texans with IDD. Learn what's going on, and how to make your voice heard (sample language and contact info provided) at https://tinyurl.com/ActByMay5

🔸What's Happening
On Tuesday, May 5, the Texas House Committee on Human Services will hold a public hearing to study the services available to Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This hearing represents a critical opportunity for Texans with IDD and their families to share their experiences and ensure Texans with IDD can access services that are timely, reliable, and responsive to their needs. Although the committee will only hear invited testimony, the public is invited to submit written comments using the House Public Comment Portal. The committee will consider this interim charge: Provision of Services for Texans with IDD: Evaluate the availability of services for Texans with IDD, including service coordination, Home and Community-Based Services, and the functionality of the waiver interest list. Ensure vulnerable Texans are protected by the current regulatory landscape and make recommendations for improvements.

🔸Why It Matters
Texans with IDD rely on a variety of supports to live full and self-determined lives, including Medicaid, HCBS waiver programs, services provided by local IDD authorities, and natural supports from families, among others. These services help meet everyday needs such as personal care, medication management, transportation, employment supports, and more. However, Texas struggles to ensure these supports are available when needed:
--More than 198,000 Texans with disabilities continue to wait on interest lists for Medicaid waiver services, with some waiting up to 17 years.
--Ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining a stable, high-quality direct care workforce make it difficult for people to receive services consistently, even after they are authorized.
--These challenges highlight the urgent need for a system that ensures timely access to services that are available, reliable, and responsive to each person’s needs.

Thank you!