People with developmental disabilities (DD) have the right to pursue and obtain meaningful employment with competitive wages, job training, professional growth, and career enhancement. Opportunities for employment in the community and the supports needed to seize those opportunities, including education about benefits maintenance, must be readily available to people with disabilities without discrimination or segregation.

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Guardianship is a legal tool that allows a person to make decisions for another person. Although the state directs a court to “design a guardianship to encourage the development or maintenance of maximum self-reliance and independence of the incapacitated person,” courts often create a full guardianship, which deprive people with disabilities of their right to make fundamental decisions about their lives.

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Health and wellness play a crucial role in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). However, accessing appropriate care that is tailored to their needs can be challenging.

TCDD is dedicated to expanding healthcare access, mental health resources, and sexual health education for Texans with DD. Studies reveal that adults with disabilities experience mental distress almost five times more frequently than those without disabilities. Additionally, the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicates that both women and men with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual violence.

The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted the lives, health, and mental health of Texans with DD in significant ways.

TCDD works diligently to improve the understanding and availability of inclusive healthcare services for people with DD.

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All children with developmental disabilities (DD) deserve access to early education and intervention services that promote success and independence. When children with DD have appropriate, individualized, and quality education alongside their non-disabled peers, they are more prepared for life after they graduate. TCDD support in this area includes projects and activities to help children and young adults with DD gain the knowledge and skills they need to attend college, find jobs, and pursue opportunities for meaningful participation in their communities.

Over the past several decades, TCDD has funded projects that focus on early childhood intervention and inclusive education as well as higher education. The following projects are in progress or have recently been completed.

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Money Skills are the knowledge and tools that people use to effectively manage their money. Today, many people with developmental disabilities (DD) can save money and build financial assets, but some may not have a full understanding of essential money-management basics, including:

• how and when to save money
• how much things cost
• how to save

Having basic money management skills is important for people with DD who earn income through jobs or receive public benefits. These skills help people save for the future, get out of debt, and ultimately have more control over their lives. 

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Peer support involves trained specialists working one-on-one or in groups with people with developmental disabilities (DD) who have not yet been fully integrated into their communities and may find it hard to imagine the opportunities they have. Peer-support specialists have experience living independently and can help others see what is possible for themselves by identifying ways to achieve goals and address barriers. Using person-centered principles, specialists can also provide objective encouragement, guidance, listening, teaching, suggestions, and a bridge to other community support.

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All people with developmental disabilities are entitled to human, personal, and civil rights. Personal rights mean that people with disabilities have the right to make their own choices and decisions about their lives, just like anyone else. Civil rights guarantee that people with disabilities cannot be discriminated against because of their disability. It is essential to respect and protect the rights of people with disabilities so they can fully participate and contribute to their communities.

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Reading skills provide a pathway to independence. Being able to read and write opens doors to education, employment, communication, and social inclusion. Reading skills also make it easier for people with disabilities to access information and resources, make informed decisions, and advocate for their own rights and needs.

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