Dr. Yolanda Lopez, manager of Campus Diversity at Lone Star College–Montgomery, was notified that the college was awarded the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities Speaker Stipend Grant.
The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their potential for independence, productivity, and integration into their communities through the development of a comprehensive system of services and supports.
The Council engages in advocacy and planning activities; supports model projects that serve as prototypes for future programs around Texas, fosters public awareness and community acceptance through education, and seeks community involvement in TCDD activities.
As a governing board, the Council has the authority to approve grant projects and activities in Texas, including supporting presentations on disability-related issues at conferences in Texas. TCDD stipend support is available for conference speaker presentations on disability-related topics at established in-state professional or informational conferences, workshops, seminars, or legislative advocacy skills training events – including nonprofits, universities and colleges.
Speakers knowledgeable about disability issues can provide event participants with information about best practices in providing services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and can directly promote self-advocacy and self-determination.
The continued efforts of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) at LSC-Montgomery aim to bring such presentations to campus to enhance opportunities for all individuals to exercise choice and control in their lives. The goal of the presentations is to promote independence, productivity, and inclusion. The objective of ODEI is to promote cultural awareness, learning and professional development programming, along with implementing practices that impact diversity, equity, and inclusion. This speaker stipend grant will be key to supporting the Disabilities is Part of the Equity Equation program that will include different events such as speakers, workshops, a community fair, and an awareness campaign on campus during this academic year.