AccessAbility Fest 2009 planning is underway! We're getting together after work this Wednesday to do a little planning. Even if you can't serve full-time on a task force this year, we'd love to see you at this mixer. Working together in a collaborative community partnership, we can make AccessAbility Fest even more successful this year!

Each of the following task force teams will be meeting:

• Information Zone Task Force
• Fun Zone Task Force
• Entertainment Zone Task Force
• Public Relations Task Force
• Volunteer Recruitment Task Force

Please attend or email (mcawthon@disABILITYsa.org) with your ideas on:

• Exhibitors you'd like to see at AccessAbility Fest this year;
• Fun Activities you've seen at other events that would make great additions to the Fun Zone (please bring organization/contact information);
• Entertainment ideas that include individuals who have disabilities who have overcome their disability to be a performer;
• Educational ideas of sessions we can do to educate families about systems and funding for individuals with disabilities. (i.e. life coach, applying for SS benefits, getting on the disability service funding waiting list, etc.);
• Small and large corporations or foundations you think would be interested in getting behind a large community collaborative event benefiting people with disabilities. Our sponsorship levels this year are $5,000, $2,500, $1,000 and $500.

We hope to see you on Wednesday. Remember, you don't have to officially sign up for a task force team to participate in this planning mixer. Just come and share information and ideas with us!

THANKS,

The AccessAbility Fest 2009 Planning Committee

*** Please bring organization names, contacts, phone number and emails with you! Also, please feel free to invite friends whom you feel could contribute to this effort by utilizing the "Invite People" tool under "Guest Options," located on the right side of this page. If you can't make it due to prior commitments or constraints, but would still like to learn more, please indicate in your response or contact Melanie Cawthon at mcawthon@disABILITYsa.org.

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WHAT is AccessAbility Fest?: Since its inception in October of 2007, AccessAbility Fest has provided a means for: 1) sharing information, resources, ideas and support among people with all types of disabilities; 2) highlighting the organizations that provide these services; 3) advancing public attitudes, awareness, respect and consideration of people with all types of disabilities; and 4) advancing the success of people with all types of disabilities. The FREE four-hour event includes: 1) Information Zone: A comprehensive representation of local non-profit service organizations and a corresponding selection of local for-profit product and service providers; 2) Entertainment Zone: Entertainment acts highlighting artists and performers with disabilities; 3) Fun Zone: An accessible area including activities such as animal petting zoo, instrument petting zoo, caricature drawing, SAFD fire truck tours, art activities, games, children's train ride, face-painting and more.

WHY offer AccessAbility Fest?: October is National Disability Awareness Month. Nearly half the population of San Antonio (or about 650,000 individuals) either has a disability or has an immediate family member with special needs. There is no other high-profile event bringing these service providers together in one setting.

WHEN/WHERE is AccessAbility Fest 2009?: Sunday, October 11, 2009, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Institute of Texan Cultures.