About Us
Raising Texas Voices is all about listening—really listening—to people with disabilities and their families across Texas, especially those whose voices are too often overlooked. We’re working to understand what matters to you. We will explore similarities and differences across communities and generations and highlight what is working and where change is needed.
We’re creating multiple ways for people to participate so that every voice is heard. Our goal is to turn what we learn into clear recommendations for our state and increase opportunities for meaningful participation, learning, and advocacy.
Meet the Team
Erik Carter
Co-Principal Investigator
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Alison Prahl
Co-Principal Investigator
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Kayla Rhidenour
Co-Investigator
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Kristen Padilla
Co-Investigator
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Deidre Gilley
Co-Investigator
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Kari Maddox
Program Manager
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Emily Frake
Postdoctoral Research Associate
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Bryan Williams
Graduate Research Assistant
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Advisory Council
Julia Gault
Self-advocate
As a young adult with a disability, Julia Gault can share firsthand advocacy experience from a millennial's perspective. Having grown up in a small, rural town in the Rio Grande Valley, Julia will provide valuable insights on connecting with rural communities.
Molly Gonzales
Parent
Molly Gonzales is a parent of a child with autism. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and co-facilitates a local Parent Support group for Spanish-speaking families. She brings unique language and cultural lived experiences, having lived in Mexico for four years.
Catherine Harwood
Self-advocate
Catherine Harwood is a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin in the School of Social Work. She is an adult with autism and conducts research related to healthcare transition for adults with disabilities. She is an ACT LEND fellow graduate where she learned interdisciplinary leadership skills to advance and advocate for evidence-based practices and supports for individuals with autism and their families.
Tracey Jones
Subject matter expert, community leader
Dr. Tracey Jones is a clinical assistant professor, specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and bilingual education. Her areas of research interest include second language acquisition, bilingual and dual language education, TESOL methodology, Spanish language teaching methodology, Spanish for Heritage Speakers and community engagement.
Molly Denny
Project partner/community leader
As a former educator and current director of community life at Daymark Residential program, Molly Denny will contribute knowledge of the advocacy, engagement, and self-perceived needs of adults with disabilities, particularly for Gen X and Baby Boomers.
Vilma Luna
Community leader
Vilma Luna will provide policy and advocacy insight as a former member of the TX house of representatives and parent of an adult son with IDD. Rep. Luna has been involved in the creation of higher education opportunities for people with IDD and employment issues.
Libby Middleton
Project partner/community leader
As an educator in a private preschool program for children with IDD, Libby Middleton will contribute to recommendations for designing and delivering training programs for educators and caregivers with a focus on how to advocate for younger generations.
Jimmy Moreno
Self-advocate
Jimmy Moreno is a young adult with a physical disability. He is a current employee at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, which is a business that hires employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mr. Moreno has been actively involved in community events that raise awareness about people with disabilities.
Courtney Morey
Project partner/community leader
As a parent of a young child with a developmental disability and founder of the Annie Louise Foundation, Courtney Morey will inform the project about the needs, attitudes, and advocacy practices of parents with young children (generation alpha).
Steven Sielaff
Subject matter expert
Steven is a Clinical Associate Professor and Senior Editor & Collections Manager at the Baylor University Institute for Oral History in Waco, Texas. Steven has co-authored many Oral History Association (OHA) best practices documents and is lead author of Oral History at a Distance, published for the Practicing Oral History series by Routledge Press in 2024. He will guide us in integrating compelling oral history methods into our work.
Anita Karney
Parent
Anita Karney moved to Waco with her family in 2004, and she and her husband James have been active in a number of disability/advocacy organizations through the years; their son, Jamie, was an early participant with Baylor's Autism Resource Center programs and activities.
Recruitment Ambassadors
We are excited to partner with community leaders across Texas to help spread the word about this project.
Amanda Curtsinger - Lubbock, Texas
Brad Thompson - Amarillo, Texas
Jean Mayer - Austin, Texas
Courtney Morey - Dallas, Texas