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Texas A&M University:
Exploring Health & Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Free Online Trainings Available!

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TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
School of Public Health

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Welcome to the Program!

Overview

This program "Promoting Greater Health Equity through the use of a Comprehensive Bilingual Training Program for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their Caregivers and Parents" is a collaborative project lead by both a health education faculty (Dr. Lei-Shih Chen) at the School of Public Health, and a special education faculty (Dr. Marcia L. Montague) at the College of Education & Human Development at Texas A&M University. Both Drs. Chen and Montague are mothers and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities (DD).

Background

What are Developmental Disabilities?

Developmental disabilities (DD) are chronic disabilities due to impairments in mental function, physical function, or both, which occurs before age 22 and may cause functional limitations, and/or require ongoing support services. Examples of DD include ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, physical or learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and visual or hearing impairments.​​

What will this project do?

​​​This project will provide a free, bilingual (English and Spanish) online training program, which include 10 different training topics, to support people with DD and their families in the State of Texas. The program will provide information for families with DD on how to find and use local, state, and federal resources, understand their patient rights, choose and evaluate different types of healthcare providers, and advocate for their healthcare needs. 

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Click the arrows on the slideshow below to learn more about the program eligibility requirements and participation:

Eligibility:

If you meet all the following criteria, we invite you to register for our program:

  • Adults with DD and/or a parent/caregiver/guardian of a child(ren) with DD.

  • Live in Texas.

  • Able to read, write and listen in either English or Spanish.

  • Able to have access to a smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer with
    internet to take the online training.

  • Able to sign the consent document independently.

  • Has not previously participated in this program.

Participation Benefits

  • Participation is free! 

  • By participating you will:

    • Gain valuable knowledge on healthcare resources related to DD. 

    • Learn how to find, choose, and evaluate different types of healthcare providers. 

    • Learn more about Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs. 

    • Learn more about how to advocate for patient's rights.

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Website Navigation:

​If you would like to...

  • Learn more about the programs  goals, eligibility, and benefits, please click Home Page

  • Learn more about our research team, please click Research Team

  • Learn about our online training topics, please click Training Topics

  • Find answers to frequently asked questions, please click FAQs

  • Contact our research team, please click Contact Us

  • Access the website in Spanish, please click Español (Para acceder al sitio web en español, por favor haga clic en Español)​​

tamuddproject1@gmail.com

Copyright © 2026 by Texas A&M DD Program Team at the Department of Health Behavior of Texas A&M University

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