Join the AccessAbility fest 2025 Planning Team

The planning committee for AccessAbility Fest is made up of task force teams each working on a component of the event. To join the planning team and serve on one of our task force teams, please review the descriptions for each team and complete the form below.  

Task Force Descriptions

Sponsorship Task Force: Secure the funding necessary to make AccessAbility fest and the abilitySTRONG Parade a community success, maintaining the longevity of the event and ensuring it remain an event that is Free and open to the public.
Exhibitor Task Force: Ensure a variety of non-profit organizations and business exhibitors offer a variety of services to cover the topic areas established by the AccessAbility Fest Planning Team and reach individuals with a variety of disabilities and challenges. 
Some individuals on this team may elect to work with the Exhibitor Recruitment task force with a special focus on pulling in exhibitors in identified topic areas.  The 2019 areas of growth include Employment, Legal/Legislative, and Faith & Spirituality. 

LEGISLATIVE/ADVOCACY: Research and extend invitations to advocacy, POC’s, Associations and voter’s groups who serve or advocate for, or promote individuals with disabilities. Secure voter registration exhibitor.

MILITARY: Research and extend invitations to groups serving individuals who have served in the military who are experiencing barriers due to injury or family members with disabilities.

FAITH&SPIRITUALITY: Research and extend invitations to church groups, faith-based groups and supports that are inclusive of individuals with all types of disabilities.

EMPLOYMENT: Research and extend invitations to businesses and organizations that assist individuals with preparing for and/or securing employment.

MENTAL HEALTH: Research and extend invitations to businesses and organizations that assist individuals with Mental Health support services.
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PRODUCTS: Research and extend invitations to businesses and organizations that sell products specific to creating access to health and independence for individuals living with a disability.

PHYSICIANS: Research and extend invitations to physicians who accept medicaid and specialize in the treatment of individuals with special needs.

SUPPORT GROUPS: Research and extend invitations to support groups who target individuals with disabilities or their caregivers.
Volunteer Task Force: Determine viable organizations to secure volunteers.  Coordinate with sponsorship team to ensure we are offering our sponsors volunteer opportunities. Work with each task force to determine their volunteer need and job descriptions.  Coordinate volunteers at AccessAbility Fest and the abilitySTRONG Parade.
Mascots & Activities Task Force: Secure a variety of mascots and mobile activities to increase the entertainment and excitement levels bringing fun and recreation to the resource event.
Career Exploration Task Force: Secure businesses and organizations that hire people with disabilities and help them to enter the job market in pursuit of a career.
Expos and Demonstrations Task Force: Secure organizations that will come out and do a demonstration of their activity or product that benefit attendees.
Surveys & Data Task Force: Create surveys for parade participants, attendees and exhibitors that capture the relevant information needed to improve the program and impact our community.  Train survey volunteers on day off and document results following the event. 
Website /Social Media Task Force: Keep the Afest and aSTRONG websites updated with information collected on the progress from every task force team.  Schedule posts to keep event information current and relevant for social media audiences.
Public Relations Task Force: Develop social media production.  Post event information on community calendars. Work with and coordinate media coverage of the event.  Identify opportunities for recognition for the event. Work with Entertainment Task Force on script.
Publications Task Force: Coordination of all marketing materials and publications for AccessAbility Fest and abilitySTRONG Parade to include promotional cards, banners, ads, event signage, surveys and the event program.  Help to secure donations for printing services.
Merchandise Task Force: Coordination of the selection, design, and production of all merchandise items to be sold a the AccessAbility fest and abilitySTRONG Parade.  Manage merchandise volunteers on the event day to ensure inventory and cash/credit receipts are secure and accounted for.
Outreach Task Force: Identify avenues for outreach, distribute promotion cards to locations throughout the city, and coordinate volunteers and team members to run booths at information and resource fairs.
Entertainment Task Force: Secure 5 hours of Entertainment by individuals who have or groups who include individuals with disabilities. Secure 5 judges for the costume contest and 5 selectees.  Secure Emcees for the 5 hour event.  Coordinate for the purchase of Trophies and Ribbons for the Costume Contest.  Organize the opening ceremony to include a color guard presentation, reading of the proclamation, and opening remarks.  Work with PR Task force to develop script for emcees.  Secure volunteer sound equipment and operator. Recruit 4 hours of entertainment from groups derived of individuals with disabilities, secure sound system & operator, secure Emcee(s), opening ceremony & other items that will occur in this zone. Secure the Costume Contest selection committee and Judges Panel.  Monitor the Entertainment area and volunteers in this area at the event to keep the program running smoothly.

Create the script for the abilitySTRONG Parade from information provided by parade entries. 
abilitySTRONG Parade Recruitment & Registration Task Force: Ensure a variety of non-profit organizations and business are participating with a wide variety of parade entry types to include vehicles, pedestrian, floats, horses, motorcycles, balloons, carriages, etc.
abilityMARCH Recruitment & Registration Task Force: Ensure a variety of non-profit organizations and business are participating with a wide variety of parade entry types to include vehicles, pedestrian, floats, horses, motorcycles, balloons, carriages, etc.

    AccessAbility fest & abilitySTRONG Parade Planning Team Commitment Form
    Be prepared to accept a friend request from Melanie Cawthon or go ahead complete these two steps:  in order to be added to the AccessAbility fest Planning Team Facebook Group page.  You may have the option to request to join the group directly as well.
    If you're interested in serving on the abilitySTRONG Parade Planning Team instead, please register HERE instead.  Thank you!
    Max file size: 20MB
    See sample shots on our Planning Team page.
    PLANNING TEAM BENEFITS: 
    Please select applicable planning team benefits you would like to receive in exchange for your time, service, connections, and contributions to making the abilitySTRONG Parade and AccessAbility fest a successful and positive experience for the San Antonio community.
    Volunteer Task Force Service hours are tracked through the AccessAbility fest Focus at YourVolunteers.  If you would like to receive the benefits marked above for your volunteer service, please register and begin logging your service hours as you work on Task Force Assignments.  Task Force Service Hours and meeting hours will be logged separately.  A training on the use of this service log system will be provided.

    ​REGISTER ONLINE HERE: 
    https://yourvolunteers.com/vol?g78qlew8to8i3le2e6gwv83
    PLANNING TEAM REFERRAL:
    I would like to refer the following person to join a task force: