Families

Think College 
Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. With a commitment to equity and excellence, Think College supports evidence-based and student-centered research and practice by generating and sharing knowledge, guiding institutional change, informing public policy, and engaging with students, professionals and families.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
AUCD is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs. These programs serve and are located in every U.S. state and territory and are all part of universities or medical centers. They serve as a bridge between the university and the community, bringing together the resources of both to achieve meaningful change.

This guide was designed for people who want to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities including Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) employees, contracted case managers and service coordinators, service providers, and people who receive HHSC services and their families.
Family Focus Employment Guide: Job Seekers
Family Focus Employment Guide: Family, Friends, and Advocates

 

Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services serves youth and students with disabilities to help prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.  Services are eligibility and need based.

 

Mission Road: The Unicorn Center
The Unicorn Center is a community based, church sponsored agency with a call form God to minister to persons with Intellectual developmental disabilities by developing job and life skills and integrating individual into supported employment by creating natural community supports. 

San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Vision Impaired
The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Vision Impaired is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the State of Texas. The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Vision Impaired provides rehabilitation services as well as employment for the blind and vision impaired in its light manufacturing assembly plan.

DO*IT-Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology
The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant.

Pacer Center 
PACER Center enhances the quality of life and expands opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families so each person can reach his or her highest potential. PACER operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with others

What can YOU do?
Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, the CDE is a collaborative effort among several disability and business organizations that is working to change attitudes about disability and employment. 

Transfer of Rights:

Prior to age 17 the school district, shall provide information to the student and parent(s), in writing regarding the transfer of rights.  Transfer of rights information, needs to contain  information and resources regarding guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, including a supported decision-making agreement under Chapter 1357, Estates Code, and other supports and services that may enable the student to live independently.

At age 18, the school district shall provide information to the student and parent(s), in writing that, when a child with a disability reaches the age of majority (18) under State law (except for a child with a disability who has been determined to be incompetent under State law), all rights transfer to the adult student.

What this means is that at age 18, a student is considered an adult and all rights are transferred to that student.  When a student reaches the age of majority (18), they are regarded as being able to make their own choices.   This would include making choices about their education. 

For more information visit the Legal Framework 

Alternatives to Guardianship resources visit Texas Project First

Navigate Life Texas 
The Navigate Life Texas (NLT) website, a project supported by the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), It was created to inform and empower parents of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs. Healthcare, education, insurance, medical diagnoses, transition to adulthood and how to connect with other parents are among the many topics found on NLT. Here, parents share their perspectives on challenges and rewards they have faced revealing their valuable first-hand experience.

Navigate Life Texas was developed by parents, for parents. Most of the content is written by parents of children and adults with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

Housing choices for young adults with disabilities 

Texas Department of State Health Services

To improve the health, safety, and well-being of Texans through good stewardship of public resources, and a focus on core public health functions.

Values

• Lead with a vision.
• Driven by science and data.
• Partner with a purpose.
• Engage and connect as a team.

Goals

• Improve health outcomes through public and population health strategies, including prevention and intervention.
• Optimize public health response to disasters, disease threats, and outbreaks.
• Improve and optimize business functions and processes to support delivery of public health services in communities.
• Enhance operational structures to support public health functions of the state.
• Improve recognition and support for a highly skilled and dedicated workforce.
• Foster effective partnership and collaboration to achieve public health goals.
• Promote the use of science and data to drive decision-making and best practices.

Arc Family Support Services provides a Free Community Resource Guide with over 100 community agencies in the Bexar County area

I'm Determined
The I’m Determined project, a state-directed project funded by the Virginia Department of Education, focuses on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior. This project facilitates youth, especially those with disabilities to undertake a measure of control in their lives, helping to set and steer the course rather than remaining the silent passenger.

Down Syndrome Association of South Texas 
Mission: Become a sustainable organization that is known in San Antonio & South Texas as the primary source of support for making the lives of children & adults with Down syndrome and their families better through information, education, programs, and friendship.
The DSASTX provides opportunities for families to foster friendships and offer mutual support through Parent Information Meetings, community-based social activities, special events, and educational programs.
The ultimate goal is to promote awareness and inclusion in the community

 Any Baby Can has been a safety net for families in need. Providing direction and guidance for families of children and youth with special needs is at the heart of this organization.  The impact the birth of a child with special needs has on the family is immense.  Instantly, the family’s dreams are altered and their lives are changed forever. The stress has the potential to tear even the strongest families apart

Texas ABLE
The Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience (“Texas ABLE®”) Program was established to encourage and assist individuals with disabilities and their families in saving funds to pay for many disability-related expenses critical to maintaining the individuals’ health, independence, and quality of life. The Texas ABLE Program is established and maintained by the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board with assistance from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.