Interested in Volunteering for this event? Please contact Melanie Cawthon at mcawthon@mrmsat.org to sign up for one of the following times: 8am – 11am; 11am – 2:00pm; 2:00pm – 5:00pm. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

October is National Disability Awareness Month; let's celebrate!

Join Texas Public Radio and 120 other partner organizations and businesses at the Institute of Texan Cultures for AccessAbility Fest to bring resources and recreation to people with disabilities and their families.

The festival is FREE and OPEN for the public to attend. Children and adults with disabilities and their families are WELCOME!

What: A festival bringing fun and resources to persons with disabilities

Where: Institute of Texan Cultures, “Back 40” Grounds Area
801 S. Bowie St., San Antonio, Texas 78205

When: Sunday, October 21st, 2007*; 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Why: To share information, resources, ideas and support between people with all types of disabilities; to highlight organizations and businesses that provide these services; to advance public attitudes, awareness, respect and consideration for the success of persons with disabilities.

Bring a PICNIC LUNCH to enjoy on the grounds of the Institute of Texan Cultures. No glass containers or alcohol, please. COMPLIMENTARY water and popcorn will be provided.

Enjoy ENTERTAINMENT by performing arts groups featuring people with disabilities and a kid-friendly FUN ZONE while gathering resources & information on non-profit organizations and other businesses that provide programs and services for children & adults with physical, mental, sensory & developmental disabilities.

ENTERTAINMENT

12:00  Mary Donahue
12:30  Richard Flint
1:00   Peace of Mime
1:30   Fascinating Rhythms
2:00   Dreams Fulfilled Through Music
3:00   Kinetic Kids Cheerleaders & Gymnasts
4:00   Harris Power Trio Featuring MC Vernell Knotts
5:00   Laptop GIVE AWAY drawing - register at the DisAbilitySA exhibitor booth!

Laptop GIVEAWAY - One Gateway Laptop computer will be given away through random drawing of submissions entered at the DisAbilitySA exhibitor Booth. The laptop features 1GB Memory, DVD±RW/CD-RW drive, 160GB hard-drive, Wireless, with USB ports, Ethernet. Donated by COIL.

FUN ZONE participants include:

VIA's "Classroom on Wheels" by VIA Metropolitan Transit
"Trackless Train Rides" by J & S Amusement
"Hair Wreath Activity" by Bexar Co. Master Gardeners
"Toddler Play Area" by Discovery Toys
"Fun with Bubbles" by Sunshine Cottage School
"Fishing Pond for Kids" by Brighton School
"Instrument Petting Zoo" by the Camerata San Antonio, SA Brass and Alamo Music
"Spin the Wheel" by Bank of America
"Bean Bag Mania" by River City Christian
"Ring-a-Soda" by River City Christian
"Football Attack" by River City Christian
Firetruck by San Antonio Fire Department
Fire Safety Demonstration by SAFD
"Ericatures" by Erica Missey
Balloonamations
Face Painting
Special appearance by Buster the Bus
SHAMU
Special appearance by Pedro Pinata
“The Enforcer” and “Code-E” from the City of San Antonio Housing & Neighborhood Services Department

The AccessAbility Fest FunZONE is made possible by Yantis Company.

For more information on how you can participate in the AccessAbility fest Fun Zone, contact Melanie Cawthon, 210.334.2455.

OTHER PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:

Water by Watermill Express; Popcorn by Liberto Fun Foods; Apples and Oranges by Big Tex
First Aid Station by Red Cross of San Antonio, made possible by Mike Bolner of Bolner's Fiesta Products
Interpreting Services by Deaf Interpreter Services, Inc.

EXHIBITORS include:

Developmental Disabilities Information Zone

The Arc of San Antonio	Texas Advocates
Unicorn Centers, Inc.	The Center for Health Care Services Long Term Care Services
Special Olympics Texas	Reaching Maximum Independance, Inc.
Respite Care of San Antonio	Down Syndrome Association of San Antonio
Mission Road Developmental Center	Deaf Church @ Northern Hills
San Antonio League of Self-Advocates	Community Options, Inc.
Mosaic	Center for Healthcare Services

Mental Health Disabilities Information Zone

Dreams Fulfilled Through Music	NAMI - San Antonio National Alliance on Mental Illness
Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas

Physical Disabilities Information Zone

Texas Burn Survivor Society	Reading Service for the Blind
Project Mend, Inc.	Teamability, Inc.
Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas	Spina Bifida Association of Texas
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic

Sensory Disabilities Information Zone

Low Vision Resource Center	Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children
Guide Dogs of Texas	Braille Transcribers of Texas
Education Service Center, Region 20	River City Christian School
San Antonio Parks & Recreation - Therapeutic Recreation Program	S.A. Lighthouse for the Blind
Deaf Interpreter Services, Inc.	Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services - Division for Blind Services
Relay Texas CapTel	San Antonio Public Library

General/Overall Information Zone

FamilyStrong for Military Families	Children's Association for Maximum Potential
Methodist Mission Home	Volunteer Services Council of San Antonio State School
VIA Metropolitan Transit	SAILS — San Antonio Independant Living Services
Any Baby Can	Children's Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP)
Terra-Genesis	Brighton
Advocacy, Inc.	Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio
Gordon Hartman Family Foundation	Gordon Hartman Family Foundation presents: "Tomatillo Salsa!"
AACOG/Bexar Area Agency on Aging	The Brainstorm Center
DisAbilitySA	Community First Health Plans/CARELINK
Joni and Friends - San Antonio	EP Global Communications, Inc - EP Magazine
Every Child, Inc.	Kinetic Kids
MetLife Financial Group of Texas	Parent Resource Network, Inc.
Pooh's Panda Special Needs Academy	San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc.
San Antonio Food Bank	TX Health Steps / STAR Program
Volunteer Services Council of San Antonio State School

For more information on how you can participate in the AccessAbility fest Fun Zone, contact Melanie Cawthon, 210.334.2455.

Partner Agencies helping to plan and coordinate this event include:

A Word From VALERO ENERGY FOUNDATION

"Community involvement is an integral part of Valero's corporate culture. This commitment dates back to Valero's beginnings when the company made community involvement a key part of its mission statement. Through its community work over the years, Valero has touched thousands of lives, helped hundreds of nonprofit groups and positively impacted countless communities. This mission continues to be at the heart of Valero.

"The Accessibility Fest exemplifies what Valero and its countless employee-volunteers work so hard to do in our communities - to provide people with the education and resources that will empower them to improve their lives, the lives of their families, and the community at large. The investment in programs like the Accessibility Fest has an exponential effect on our communities because its root is in education and empowerment. Valero is proud to be a sponsor of the Accessibility Fest and thanks Texas Public Radio and all the other partner organizations and businesses that are making this event a success."

* A rain date has been scheduled for November 4, 2007 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Institute of Texan Cultures.