VAIL Center for Independent Living

05/27/2026

Texas needs to hear from people with disabilities and their families.

There is a statewide research study unlike traditional surveys, centered on your real experiences and priorities, led by the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing.

Your voice is needed to help strengthen the programs, resources, and supports that shape the lives of the disability community across Texas.

Learn more and sign up for the survey at:
https://disability.research.baylor.edu/focus-areas/families/raising-texas-voices

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
TCU – Texas Christian University

05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 🇺🇸

In observance of Memorial Day, VAIL offices will be closed. We wish everyone a safe and meaningful holiday as we reflect on the courage and service of our fallen heroes.

05/21/2026

Today, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), VAIL Center for Independent Living recognizes the importance of creating a world where everyone has equal access to information, technology, services, and opportunities.

Let's continue working together to remove barriers and build a more accessible future for all!

05/07/2026

✨ You’re Invited! Shop with Purpose & Support Disability Independence ✨
It is almost Mother's Day and we ask that you join VAIL Center for Independent Living for a special Kendra Scott Giveback event. Your purchase will make an impact!

📅 May 2, 2026
⏰ 2:00–4:00 PM
📍 Kendra Scott – 5300 San Dario Ave., Suite 182, Laredo, TX
💛 20% of all purchases will be donated to VAIL when you mention VAIL at checkout.

Can’t make it in person or are located in the RGV or outside of South Texas? You can still support!

🛍️ Shop online May 2–3 at kendrascott.com
🎁 Use code: GIVEBACK-LSMRA

Every purchase helps advance independence, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities in our community. Thank you for supporting VAIL! 💙♿

05/07/2026

📣 UTRGV Research Opportunity!

UTRGV researchers are seeking participants to help identify gaps in pregnancy care for people with disabilities and incentives have increased to support participation:
💵 $100 for pregnant or recently pregnant people with disabilities
💵 $200 for pregnancy care providers (including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, doulas, and more)
⏰ The opportunity closes at the end of next week, and spots are limited:
• 6 spots remaining for pregnant or recently pregnant individuals (within the last 5 years)
• 13 spots remaining for pregnancy care providers
🗣️ Interviews are available in English and Spanish.

Your voice and experience matter, so please consider participating or sharing this opportunity with your networks.

04/22/2026

In the month of March, VAIL staff attended many community events to outreach underserved areas. Events included: veteran coalition, community centers, job tours, youth transition events, and emergency preparedness and first responder events.

04/21/2026

We’re excited to share that tomorrow's Learn & Share hosted by the Independent Living Training & Technical Assistance Center will feature VAIL’s Executive Director, Dr. Lidia Fonseca. She will be leading a discussion focused on sustaining partnerships by building long-term relationships that drive mutual value and adapt as needs and opportunities evolve.

🕒 3:00 PM ET tomorrow
♿ CART, ASL, and Spanish interpretation will be provided

We hope you can join us!

👉 Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JaGr9C61RyeFT29pbiOEdw #/registration

Happening tomorrow at 3:00 PM ET - Join our Learn & Share

Sustaining Community Partnerships: Skills and Strategies

Strong partnerships require intention, adaptability, and trust. This session will explore practical strategies for building and sustaining community partnerships, while creating space to discuss real-world challenges.

3:00–4:00 PM ET
Live on Zoom

Open to SILC members, CIL staff, and partners across the Independent Living network.

CART, ASL, and Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JaGr9C61RyeFT29pbiOEdw #/registration

04/21/2026

🚨Attention🚨
There is an important new research study led by the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing at Baylor University and funded by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. Their project centers on listening to people with developmental disabilities and their families across Texas to better understand what is important to you, what needs you have, and what resources you need. We want families in our community to be heard!

It takes just a couple minutes to sign up and they’ll send you a survey soon after. The website is http://raisingtexasvoices.org/ . Feel free to share this with other families you know in our community!

Raising Texas Voices is a statewide research study focused on listening to Texans with disabilities and their families to better understand what matters most to them, including how they talk about disability, advocate, and learn and/or find help.By learning directly from lived experiences, this rese...