IDD Champions Coalition: Community Research Initiative

Building a More Inclusive Bexar County Together

In Fall 2024, Brighton Center joined forces with five other leading nonprofits to launch a groundbreaking study addressing the critical gaps in support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families in Bexar County.

The Challenge

Families caring for loved ones with IDD navigate a fragmented system largely on their own. Long waitlists, limited resources, and disconnected services create overwhelming barriers to accessing essential support.

Our Response

Together with ABC of Southwest Texas, Morgan’s Multi-Assistance Center (The MAC), Respite Care of San Antonio, The Arc of San Antonio, and SA Life Academy, we designed the IDD Champions Community Survey – a hyperlocal, participatory study that centers the voices of those most affected by the system.

What We Learned

Our Spring 2025 survey gathered over 800 responses from caregivers, educators, and community members, revealing:

75% of families find it difficult to access services when they need them

32% of caregivers have quit a job due to caregiving responsibilities

Nearly 50% report poor coordination between service providers

Over 80% have no clear plan for their loved one’s future care

Taking Action

The findings are already driving change. Our first collaborative project – a guided, IDD-specific resource directory through SACRD – is underway with funding secured. This free, accessible tool will help families navigate available services more easily.

Join Us in Creating Change

This research is more than data – it’s a roadmap for building a stronger, more inclusive community where every person with IDD can thrive with dignity, purpose, and belonging.

Download IDD Champions Executive Summary
Download IDD Champions Full Report