Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities Annual Report, 1997 Page: 3 of 20
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Partnerships: Creating Inclusive Communities Together
Over the years, the Texas Planning Council
for Developmental Disabilities has worked
tirelessly to improve the service system so
people with disabilities can have the greatest
opportunities to be included, participate and
contribute to their communities. One of the
biggest challenges has been finding ways that
programs and services can better support the
full inclusion of people with disabilities in
everyday activities and experiences.
Recently though, the Council has asked
itself some fundamental questions. Questions
like: Are we changing the right system? Do im-
proved social service programs alone facilitate
full inclusion? If our goal is community
participation and involvement, shouldn't our
efforts and resources be in the community?
The health and human services system is
familiar territory to TPCDD and while there
is still much work to be done there, we must
broaden our focus in an effort to realize the
vision of full inclusion and participation.
This requires new partnerships. It requires
working directly with people, businesses andi~ a
Todd Gore visits with Kirbyville residents on his door-
sales route. (Photo courtesy of Burke Center)organizations in the community. It requires
learning from one another - sharing ideas,
resources and expertise. It requires ongoing
dialogue with people the community relies on
for jobs, housing, education and health care,
rather than a specialized services system. It
also involves thinking more about access and
accommodations for people with disabilities
throughout our communities.
As we take stock of our accomplishments
over the last year, the Council proudly points
to the development, support and encourage-
ment of new partnerships in Texas communi-
ties. The Council and its grantees have stepped
outside the traditional health and human
services circle and are working with banks,
architects, HMOs, local coalitions, teachers,
businesses, employers and numerous others to
improve our communities for everyone.
Together these diverse groups are tackling
hard issues, creating innovative solutions and
working toward common objectives such as
developing the state's workforce, improving
education, ensuring children grow up in families,
- - providing affordable housing and se-
curing quality health care for all Texans.
In addition to looking at broad part-
nerships emerging across Texas, this re-
port examines what the Council and its
grantees have done to achieve three goals:
r L Inclusion - People with disabil-
ities are included throughout all life
experiences;
L Self-Determination - People with
disabilities have power and control
over their own lives; and
O Options and Supports - People with
disabilities have the available supports
and services to allow them to make
choices about the way they live.
By working toward these goals, new
partnerships of groups and individuals
throughout Texas are strengthening and
preserving families, improving schools,
and making it easier for adults to get
good jobs, obtain their own homes and
be involved in local activities and
organizations. Together we are build-
ing more inclusive communities that
-to-door recognize and value the participation
and contributions of all their members.
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Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities. Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities Annual Report, 1997, report, 1997; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth307517/m1/3/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.