~ Governor Greg Abbott has recently made appointments to the Governor Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD), with the aim of promoting greater awareness and compliance with disability-related laws. The committee, which recommends changes in disability policies and programs, supports a network of committees on people with disabilities and issues awards to recognize outstanding contributions in this field.

Among the appointees is Shelbi Davenport, a program coordinator at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Horticultural Options in the Plant Sciences Program. Davenport brings a wealth of experience to the committee, having previously served as a board member for the Texas Association of People Supporting Employment First, Learning Community for Person Centered Practices, and Arc of Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership from Texas A&M University (TAMU) and a Masters in Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University.

Kori Allen, who has been reappointed to the committee, is currently the ADA & Capital Programs Coordinator for the City of Coppell. She has been actively involved in advocating for people with disabilities through her role as Chair of Little People of America's (LPA) Universal Design Committee and as a member of various organizations such as the North Texas Disability Chamber and DFW Airport's Inclusion and Accessibility Committee. Allen holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from The University of Texas (UT) at Tyler and is working towards certification by the Texas Accessibility Academy as a Registered Accessibility Specialist.

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Billy Blanchard, who has been serving on the GCPD since 2024, brings his expertise as a vocational rehab counselor for the Texas Workforce Commission to the table. He has also been involved in various disability advocacy groups such as the Brain Injury Association of Texas and Disability Coalition of Golden Crescent. Blanchard holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from UT Austin.

Evelyn Cano, co-founder and president of Disability Chamber of Commerce Rio Grande Valley, has been reappointed to the committee. Cano is also a member of the City of McAllen's Disability Task Force and a graduate of the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities' Texas Partners in Policy Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Indiana University - Bloomington and has previously served on the executive board of Disability Rights Texas.

Juan Lopez, a board member of Valley Association for Independent Living, brings his experience as a support member and translator for the Texas Civil Rights Project and paralegal for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid to the committee. He is dedicated to advocating for people with disabilities and has been actively involved in various organizations.

Ben Willis, who has been serving as a gubernatorial appointee on the GCPD since 2022, is studying engineering at TAMU with a long-term goal of designing handicap-accessible vehicles. He has also been actively involved in volunteering and serving as an Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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The newest addition to the committee is Al Henderson, who retired from his role as American Disability Act Coordinator for the City of Fort Worth. Henderson brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served as president of DFW chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., president of Sigma Services Disabilities Consultants, and being an active member of various disability advocacy groups such as American Association of Persons with Disabilities and Fort Worth Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force Reserve and holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources from University of Memphis.

These appointments by Governor Abbott demonstrate his commitment towards promoting greater awareness and advocating for people with disabilities. With their diverse backgrounds and experiences, these appointees are well-equipped to make meaningful contributions towards improving disability policies and programs in Texas. Their terms are set to expire on February 1st, 2027 or 2028 respectively.

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