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Special thanks to:

• Beth T. Stalvey, M.P.H., Ph.D., Technical Editor
• Angela Lello, M.P.Aff., Project Manager
• TCDD & TOPDD Staff

For their time, energy and expertise in preparing this report

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"During my 18 years stay in the nursing home, I was isolated from the community. Since moving into the community, I have become integrated into mainstream life and have become a contributing member of society.

As I have thrived, so has my belief that everyone with a disability has a right to be seen and participate rather than isolated in institutions. People have a right to take the risk to move from institutions into community life."

– Rudy Acosta, 2005

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Rudy Acosta was separated from his mother at age 8 and placed in a nursing facility at age 12 because of the severity of his disability and a lack of community-based resources. Eighteen years later, he obtained the services and supports he needed to move into his own apartment. Mr. Acosta devoted the rest of his life to a passionate and powerful campaign to create community alternatives to nursing homes and state institutions, and he demonstrated to numerous policymakers and other people that anyone, with appropriate supports, can live a good life in the community.

Mr. Acosta had a rare form of muscular dystrophy that caused him to be totally paralyzed with difficulty breathing. Even so, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Texas Tech University, in Lubbock in 1998, and eventually moved to Austin where he was closer to the legislators and decision-makers he wanted to influence. He also graduated from Partners in Policymaking in 1998 and served on the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities from February 2000 - September 2005. Mr. Acosta was a member of the Advocacy, Inc., board of directors at the time of his death.

"I hope my experience will inspire people who are institutionalized to seek their dreams, and I encourage everyone to support individuals who choose to move to an independent life in their community," Mr. Acosta told legislators.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary

About the Biennial Disability Report

Section One: Recommendations of the TCDD

• About the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
• Methodology
• Glossary of Key Terms
• State of Services and Supports
  • Disability Rates in Texas
  • Trends in Service Demand
  • Texas’ Ranking in Nation
  • Interest Lists: Time Spent Waiting for Services
  • Reliance on Large Facilities
  • Placement of Children in State Schools/Centers
  • Serving Individuals with Complex Needs in the Community
• Recent Progress in Texas
• TCDD Recommendations for Systems Change

Special Focus

• Allocation of Resources to Provide Long-Term Services and Supports for Texans with Developmental Disabilities
• Recommendations

Section Two: Recommendations of the TOPDD

• About the Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
• Focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
  • Characteristics of FASD
  • Problems of FASD
  • Needs of Population Affected by FASD
  • Obstacles Faced by the Population Affected by FASD
• TOPDD Recommendations for Addressing FASD

Appendix

• Appendix A: Texas Government Code §531.0235
• Appendix B: References

Personal/Family Stories; Charts & Tables