Texas Project FIRST (Region 9 ESC) – This project is committed to providing accurate and consistent information to parents and families of students with disabilities. For links to state agencies that provide programs and services for individuals with disabilities, click on the “Resources” tab and then “State and Community Services” tab on the scroll-down list.
Texas Education Agency – This is the home page for the Texas Education Agency, which is the administrative unit for primary and secondary public education. The agency manages the textbook adoption process; oversees development of the statewide curriculum; administers the statewide assessment program; administers a data collection system on public school students, staff and finances; rates school districts under the statewide accountability system; operates research and information programs; monitors for compliance with federal guidelines; and serves as a fiscal agent for the distribution of state and federal funds.
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Access Board – This is the website of the Access Board, “an independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities.” Areas of responsibility include architecture, transportation, telecommunication, and electronic/information technology. The board develops and maintains accessibility standards in these areas; provides training and assistance for implementing the standards; and enforces the standards in federally funded facilities.
Administration for Community Living – ACL brings together the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging (AoA), the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), and the HHS Office on Disability to serve as the Federal agency responsible for increasing access to community supports, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities across the lifespan.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – This is the website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It also includes the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Disability Rights Office – Federal Communications Commission – This links to information on disability issues relating to telecommunications.
Ed.Gov – This is the web site map for the U.S. Dept. of Education. The site includes parent, teacher, and student resources; directories; financial aid resources; and numerous fact sheets and web links concerning educational issues including No Child Left Behind.
Education Week Texas – This is the Texas page from the “Education Week” online newspaper. It provides statistics on education in Texas; information on the Governor and Education Commissioner; web links to the Texas Education Agency and other state educational associations; web links to Texas newspapers; legislative updates and more.
Employment and Training Administration – ETA Programs and Initiatives for Jobseekers with Disabilities mission is to facilitate programmatic and physical accessibility through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) aims to improve coordination between the public workforce system and industry to help businesses meet their workforce needs by recruiting, hiring, and training individuals with disabilities. The Disability and Employment Online site provides information on laws and regulations, advisories and guidance, grants, and other resources.
Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities – “The Governor’s Committee recommends changes in disability policies and programs in the areas of accessibility, communication, education, emergency preparedness, health, housing, recreation, transportation, veterans and workforce. The Committee also supports a network of committees on people with disabilities, issues awards to promote greater awareness, and promotes compliance with disability related laws.”
Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities – Includes a link to information about the Houston Commission on Disabilities and other city programs.
My Children’s Medicaid – This website was developed by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission to help families learn about Children’s Medicaid (medical and dental services) and Texas Health Steps (Medicaid’s wellness program for children).
National Council on Disability – The home page of the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research – As the federal government’s primary disability research agency, NIDILRR’s mission is to generate new knowledge and to promote its effective use to improve the abilities of individuals with disabilities to perform activities of their choice in the community, and to expand society’s capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for its citizens with disabilities.
Office of Disability Employment Policy – ODEP manages a number of efforts designed to advance disability employment. These include the award winning Campaign for Disability Employment and the Workforce Recruitment Program, which connects employers with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities.
Office of Special Education Programs – OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. OSEP administers the the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA), which authorizes formula grants to states and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.
Social Security Administration – The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. On this web page, you will find links to information on eligibility, employment support and work incentives, how to apply for benefits, and other SSI topics.
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities – This is the website of the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD). “The Council works to create change so all people are fully included in their communities and exercise control over their own lives.” This site includes information on grants; public policy; FYI newsletters; free publications; web links and more.
Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) – Child & Adult Protective services, Foster & Kinship Care, as well as some Family Support programs.
Texas Department of State Health Services – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division – How to get help, what to do in an emergency, and how to find mental health services in your area.
Texas Health & Human Services Commission – Visit YourTexasBenefits.com to find services & supports your child or family may be eligible for, including Medicaid, CHIP, Family Services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food assistance), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Texas Health & Human Services – Aging & Disability Services – DADS and certain DARS programs and services have transferred to Texas Health and Human Services. HHS now administers long-term services and supports for people who are aging as well as for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Disability service categories include:
- Blind and Visually Impaired
- Children with Special Health Care Needs Program
- Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services
- Consumer Directed Services
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Early Childhood Intervention Service
- Employment
- How to Pay for Services
- Independent Living Services
- Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) – Long-term Care (See Where Can I Get Services if I Have IDD? and Interest List Information for CBA, CLASS, MDCP, HCS, and DBMD.)
- People with Medical or Physical Disabilities
- Person-centered Planning
Texas.Gov – This is the official website of the State of Texas. It serves as the official compilation of Texas government electronic resources and provides links to federal, state, and local governments; State agencies; State officials; the Texas court system; Texas statutes; a bill search feature, and more. Available in Spanish.
Texas Legislature Online – This website provides links and information on the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate, State Agencies, and Legislative information and resources.
Texas Workforce Commission – Vocational Rehabilitative Services (helping people with work) have moved from the Dept. of Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to TWC. See:
- Vocational Rehabilitation – Youth & Students
- Vocational Rehabilitation – Adults
- Vocational Rehabilitation program for individuals with visual impairments – Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center
- Appeal a Vocational Rehabilitation Decision
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development – This page was created for people with disabilities by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development to provide one-stop access to disability-related information within the HUD web-site.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – The web site of the EEOC, which is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person\’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
U.S. Government Department and Agencies Directory – This is an organizational directory of government departments and agencies. It includes information on the executive branch; judicial branch; legislative branch; independent establishments and government corporations; boards, commissions and committees; and quasi-official agencies.
U.S. Government Publishing Office – This is the home page of the U.S. Government Publishing Office which produces and distributes Federal Government information, both in printed publications and online.
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