CTD Conventions & Advocacy Events

Raise Your Voice! 2023

The 88th Texas Legislature is in session, and it's time for a new round of Raise Your Voice!

CTD’s interactive Raise Your Voice! (RYV) events are designed to provide a functional understanding of our state’s legislative process while connecting emerging and seasoned advocates with each other. We'll prepare and support you to educate legislators about the real good and harm their decisions can mean to Texans with disabilities. In addition, these conversations give CTD insight into the needs and concerns of Texans with disabilities outside our usual circles, which informs our advocacy work.

On each call, our advocacy team will give a brief update on the major pieces of legislation we've been working on, then we'll hold breakout discussions to gather your input and concerns or prepare to take an action. There is no cost to participate.

Sign up to Raise Your Voice!

In 2023, RYV Zoom calls will begin February 13 and take place at 2 pm CT every Monday (excluding holidays). Our remaining dates are:

Sign up to Raise Your Voice!

Review 2022 RYV recordings

About CTD's grassroots advocacy work

Since our foundation in 1978, CTD organized an Annual Convention in a different part of the state, often partnering with local disability groups. When the Legislature met (odd numbered years), we stayed in Austin to take full advantage of advocacy opportunities. During interim years (even numbered), we traveled far and wide, to cities large and small, meeting and collaborating with our members. Wherever we landed, our Conventions were hubs of consumer education, advocacy training and preparation, and CEU opportunities for professionals. We usually managed to have some fun, too!

In 2016, we began shifting to a smaller, more targeted scale of activities to train and prepare individuals for advocacy during and outside of the Legislative session. Our Raise Your Voice! (RYV!) Roundtables are regional events held during the interim session. These conversations are designed to introduce participants to the Texas legislative process and allow CTD to interact directly with emerging advocates to identify and address issues facing local disability communities. In 2019, we brought RYV! to the Legislature, piloting the RYV! Advocate Connection Program. This version of the program provided a functional understanding of our state's legislative process while connecting emerging and seasoned advocates, all while supporting real time advocacy work (office visits, testimony, etc.).

Within or outside of RYV!, we are proud to collaborate with our partners on a variety of other advocacy events to educate the public, prepare advocates for action, and engage our elected officials. Examples of such efforts include collaborating on or supporting rallies and advocacy days, conferences, film screenings, and forums. 

Sponsor a CTD or Raise Your Voice! Advocacy Event

If your business or organization has a stake in disability issues, consider sponsoring a Raise Your Voice! advocacy event. Often, we work closely with our sponsors on legislative activities or consumer services. We offer multiple levels of sponsorship, all with great benefits to you! Learn more.

Past Conventions & Advocacy Events

Advocacy

View Current Actions

Sign up to Raise Your Voice!

Join the Advocacy Corps

Our Priorities

Advocacy Home

@TXDisabilities

Meet Our Sponsors

Thanks to our RYV! sponsors!

Legislative Reports

2021 Legislative & Annual Report

Earlier Reports