FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 15, 2026
CONTACT:
Edie Surtees, Communications Director
512-407-2739
esurtees@DRTx.org
Four New Members Join the Disability Rights Texas Board of Directors
AUSTIN—Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), the legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in Texas, appoints the following four new members to its Board of Directors for fiscal year 2027 beginning October 1, 2026: Lidia Fonseca (McAllen); Natasha Strassfeld (Austin); Tammy Crain (Frankston); and Amy Venn (Liberty Hill).
Members continuing their terms of service in officer positions include Amy Pierce, Chair (Round Rock); Robert Mihara, Vice Chair (San Antonio); Lizdelia Piñón, Secretary (Crowley); Angel Ponce, Treasurer (Houston); and Laura Marquez, Immediate Past Chair (El Paso).
Continuing in Director positions are Jack Brown (Duncanville); Jenn Covington (Austin); Theresa Langley (Houston); Josette Pelatan (El Paso); Joseph Muniz (Harlingen); and Jackie Dodd (Allen).
The Board is comprised of 16 members from around the state who reflect the constituency of individuals with developmental, mental, and physical disabilities who are served by the agency.
About Our New Board Members
Lidia Fonseca (McAllen) is the Executive Director of the Valley Association for Independent Living and has more than 13 years of experience advancing disability rights, accessibility, and community inclusion. She serves as President of TEXCIL, the statewide association of Centers for Independent Living in Texas, and brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, public policy advocacy, and coalition building. Fonseca holds a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is committed to ensuring people with disabilities, particularly in rural, border, and underserved communities, have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Natasha Strassfeld (Austin) is a tenured Associate Professor of Special Education at The University of Texas at Austin, where her research focuses on disability rights, education policy, and the intersection of special education and the juvenile justice system. With a background in law and a Ph.D. from Penn State University, she brings expertise in legal and policy analysis, federal grant management, and community collaboration. Her work is dedicated to addressing disparities affecting students with disabilities and advancing the rights of individuals who are often overlooked, including those involved in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems.
Tammy Crain (Frankston) is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the medical field and a longtime advocate for people with disabilities. Drawing on her experience as a disabled veteran and mother of a son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, she has worked with disability-focused organizations, supported medical research and treatment efforts, and advocated for greater accessibility and inclusion. Her background includes patient advocacy, healthcare administration, personnel training, and budget management, along with a strong commitment to improving the dignity, independence, and quality of life of people with disabilities.
Amy Venn (Liberty Hill) is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with more than 20 years of experience supporting people with disabilities and their families. Her background includes disability rights advocacy, independent living and employment coaching, patient and family services leadership, and efforts to advance inclusive practices and policy change. Through her work with community organizations, advisory committees, and disability-focused initiatives, Venn brings expertise in person-centered planning, self-advocacy, grant writing, and community collaboration, along with a personal perspective as the mother of a child with a disability.
“We are excited to welcome these four outstanding individuals to the Disability Rights Texas Board of Directors,” said Sean Jackson, Executive Director. “Each brings a unique combination of professional expertise, lived experience, and a deep commitment to advancing the rights of people with disabilities. Their perspectives and experience in areas including legal and policy advocacy, education, healthcare, and community inclusion will strengthen our collective efforts to ensure Texans with disabilities have the rights, opportunities, and support they deserve.”
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Disability Rights Texas is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities in Texas. Its mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society. Visit www.DRTx.org for more information.