VAIL Center for Independent Living

09/04/2026

Save the date! VAIL will be having a watch party on November 13! More information coming soon 🤟

They wouldn’t make way for Judy, so she forged her own path.

Being Heumann is in select theaters November 6. Streaming November 13 on Apple TV.

[Image Description: Ruth Madeley as Judy Heumann sits in her wheelchair on a busy street with her hands raised up in protest, as a large car approaches her. Text on the image reads: An Apple Original Film, Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Based on a true story (but “story” is crossed out and replaced with “revolution”), from Siân Heder, director of the Academy award-winning best picture, CODA, BEING HEUMANN, screenplay by Siân Heder and Rebekah Taussig, directed by Siân Heder, in select theaters Nov 6 streaming Nov 13.]

09/02/2026

Our right to live in the community is a civil right.

VAIL strongly opposes efforts that could weaken protections for people with disabilities to live, receive services, and thrive in our own homes and communities.

Disabled people deserve choice, dignity, autonomy, and freedom: not segregation. We will continue to defend the promise of the ADA, Section 504, and Olmstead and fight for a future where every person can live and belong in their community.

Nothing about us without us. ♿💙

Plain language explainer below:

08/28/2026

08/20/2026

08/04/2026

Health is easier when you have the right information.

Join us for a free Health Literacy Workshop, led by Abby Cavazos Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student, to learn about your health, your patient rights, and how to feel more confident when talking with your healthcare providers.

📅 August 6, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m.
📍 Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL)
815 E. Nebraska Ave.
Alamo, TX 78516

Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there! 💙

Visual description:
A white flyer with colorful shapes in green, purple, orange, pink, and yellow promotes a Health Literacy Workshop. The title is displayed in large black and purple text. At the top, the presenter is listed as Abby Cavazos, UTRGV Doctoral Occupational Therapy Student. The flyer includes two photos: one of a healthcare provider talking with an older adult and another of two people holding hands, symbolizing support and care. The event details list August 6, 2026, 10:00 a.m., at Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL), 815 E. Nebraska Ave., Alamo, Texas 78516. The VAIL logo appears at the bottom left of the flyer.

07/23/2026

Today, VAIL joined advocates from across the country on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and their staff to discuss the urgent need to protect and strengthen disability rights.

We advocated for increased investment in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) so people with disabilities can live, work, and thrive in their communities and not institutions. We also emphasized the importance of defending Section 504, preserving and expanding Independent Living Services, and ensuring people with disabilities continue to have access to the supports and civil rights that make community living possible.

These conversations matter because disability rights are civil rights. We are grateful to the congressional offices that took the time to listen, and we will continue advocating until every person with a disability has the opportunity to live with dignity, choice, and self-determination.

07/21/2026

Disability rights are civil rights and we showed up to make that clear.

Today, VAIL Center for Independent Living (VAIL) proudly joined advocates from across the country at the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) March and Rally at the U.S. Capitol.

Together as Texans, we raised our voices to protect the rights, freedom, and dignity of people with disabilities. We marched because our communities deserve to live, work, learn, and thrive in the community. Not in institutions. We rallied because the ADA, Section 504, Medicaid, and Independent Living are not negotiable.

As advocates from the Rio Grande Valley, we were honored to stand alongside the national disability community in solidarity.

The fight for disability justice continues long after the march ends and VAIL remains committed to advocating until every person with a disability can live with freedom, choice, accessibility, and full inclusion.

Nothing about us, without us. 🇨🇱🇺🇸