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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
