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  • abilitySTRONG Parade
AccessAbility fest | Sat, October 7th, 2023
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Event Planning Team

join the team!

Melanie Cawthon
Event Oversight​
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Co-Founder of disABILITYsa.org

"Pulling the community together is the only way to make an impact on the inclusion, opportunities, and services that exists for individuals living with a disability in San Antonio.  Working together, we can create greater awareness and effect change."


Lisa Santoyo
Event Director
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Program Director of disABILITYsa

"Events such as this one draw the community together to make great impacts.  Inclusion is intentional.  Its about identifying and removing barriers so that everyone is able to participate to the best of their ability."
Sheila Black
​Sponsorships
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Director of Development and Outreach at disABILITYsa

Sheila Black served as the Executive Director of Gemini Ink and Development Director for the Association of Writers & Writing Programs.  Having a from birth disability, X-linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH), she has written extensively about disability, publishing five poetry collections.
Janice Perez
​Volunteer Mangement
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Administrative Support Specialist of disABILITYsa

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to engage with the community through disABILITYsa. Being able to witness the relief, excitement and pure joy of the individuals we service is deeply rewarding, there’s no feeling quite like it."
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Kameron Chicoine ​
Exhibitor Recruitment 
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Years of Service: 7

Kameron Chicoine has been a magazine owner and publisher for over 30 years. Senior Living Choices and her most recent magazine, Exceptional Kids, A Resource Guide for the Special Needs Community is based on a vision and personal experience. 

"Building awareness in our community about the resources available for families and adults looking for resources for themselves."

Antonio Martinez
Exhibitor Recruitment 
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Years of Service: 1

​Antonio Martinez serves as the Health & Wellness Coordinator at the Alamo Area Council of Governments. Antonio earned his bachelors from the University of New Mexico in 2011 and then his master's at Texas A&M-San Antonio in 2016.

"I have worked with DisabilitySA before and enjoy the team"
Issac Shamas ​
​Website/Social Media
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Years of Service: 7

Issac Shamas is the project coordinator for Deaf Interpreter Services.  He has also served as a board member for disABILITYsa.

“I love watching the impact our work has had in our community.”

Traci Lewand
Activity Recruitment
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Years of Service: 4
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Assistant Director of Events for Hemisfair

"This is an opportunity to marry my skill set as an event planner and my passion for inclusion thanks to my 7 yr old son who has been my guide on this life journey."



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​​Nicholas Holstein
Activity & Volunteer Recruitment
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Years of Service: 11

​Nicholas Holstein is the Executive Director for 
HUG ME Ink, a nonprofit he founded who educates and advocates on mental health awareness through the arts. His passion is to make sure everyone knows that you can live your dreams no matter what challenges you have overcome.

"I love the mission and vision of AccessabilityFest and for all it provides for our community"
Nelda Martinez
Volunteer Recruitment
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Years of Service: 1

​Nelda is currently employed with TRDI in Human Resources. She spends her free time volunteering, gathering with family and attending the theater.

"I want to work on this team because of my passion and its beneficial for the work audience."


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Additional Team Members include: ​

Former Team Members:

2007
  • Janet Grojean, Texas Public Radio
  • Melanie Cawthon, Mission Road Ministries
  • Kate Edwards, Mission Road Ministries
  • Cynthia Hamilton, Arc of San Antonio
  • Kitty Brietzke, San Antonio Independent Living Services
  • Sharyn Brautigan-King, Joni and Friends
  • Kim Jefferies, Brighton School
  • Nana Knowles, Community Volunteer
  • Jerri Ann Jones, VIA Metropolitan Transit

2008
  • Janet Grojean, Texas Public Radio
  • Melanie Cawthon, Mission Road Ministries
  • Kate Edwards, Mission Road Ministries
  • Cynthia Hamilton, Arc of San Antonio
  • Jerri Ann Jones, VIA Metropolitan Transit
  • Gloria Banik, San Antonio Independent Living Services
  • Sue Dodson, Texas Burn Survivors
  • Kim Jefferies, Brighton School
  • George Losoya with Joni and Friends
  • Sandy Redmond with Any Baby Can
  • Suzanne Reily with Camp CAMP
  • Carol Ann Villarreal with Amerigroup Corp
  • Leslie Walter with Sunshine Cottage

2009
  • Janet Grojean, Texas Public Radio
  • Melanie Cawthon, Mission Road Ministries
  • Kate Edwards, Mission Road Ministries
  • Cynthia Hamilton, Arc of San Antonio
  • Jerri Ann Jones, VIA Metropolitan Transit
  • Michelle Richard, Mosaic
  • Barbara Dierker with Eva's Heroes
  • Leslie Walter with Sunshine Cottage
  • Nancy Mifflin with the State School
  • Carol Stevens, Community Volunteer
  • Carolin Sinkfield, Community Volunteer
  • Cindy Alleman with Acadian On-Call
  • Edwin Blanton with Ready, Willing….Enable
  • Luis Leal with State Farm Insurance
  • John Schwab with Unicorn Centers
  • Suzanne Reily with Camp CAMP
  • Ann Marie Morrow, Hartman Family Foundation
2021 
  • Traci Lewand, Hemisfai
  • Cynthia Hamilton,
  • Shirlee Crandell, 

2010



2011


2012
  • Janet Grojean, Texas Public Radio
  • Melanie Cawthon, Mission Road Ministries
  • Kate Edwards, San Antonio Area Foundation
  • Cynthia Hamilton, San Antonio Area Foundation

2013
  • Janet Grojean, Texas Public Radio
  • Melanie Cawthon, Mission Road Ministries
  • Kate Edwards, San Antonio Area Foundation
  • Cynthia Hamilton, San Antonio Symphony
disABILITYsa
P.O. Box 28243
San Antonio, Texas 78228
(210) 704-7262

www.disABILITYsa.org
AccessAbility Fest is made possible through the generous support of a number of disability service organizations and volunteers.  

​AccessAbility Fest is a program of
disABILITYsa
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