The TCDS Consumer Advisory Council

People with disabilities and representatives from self-advocacy groups are actively involved in the Texas Center for Disability Studies at the advisory level as well as in direct planning and implementation of our core functions. Our Consumer Advisory Council meets at least three times annually to advise the center on the needs of people with disabilities and family members, to provide guidance to the center concerning its programs and priorities, and to review program outcomes.

The council is composed of people with disabilities,
family members of people with disabilities, and representatives from self-advocacy groups, the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University, the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, and Advocacy, Inc. Some council family members provide multiple representation by serving in roles as providers as well as being family members. Members also represent multiple geographic areas of Texas and ethnic diversity.

The members of the council receive information from the center for review prior to regular meetings. During the council meetings, center staff present information regarding existing, as well as potential, projects and programs. The council provides guidance on the development of priority areas for the center's work.

The council annually reviews the mission, values, and guiding principles of the center. To ensure the center's programs continue to be consumer-driven, the center will continue to expand the role for self-advocates and family members in each core function and develop and implement a systemic strategy to involve people with disabilities and family members in planning, developing, and implementing projects and grant-funded opportunities.