HOUSTON – The Texas Bar Foundation has awarded the Center for Pursuit a $15,000 grant to expand and implement an innovative educational program to help educate individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and similar conditions about their fundamental rights and civic responsibilities.
The Rights and Responsibilities course, taught at Pursuit Learning Academy at the Center for Pursuit, provides practical education on:
- Basic Rights: Equality, safety, privacy, and community inclusion.
- Voting: The importance of voting, how to vote, and understanding its impact.
- Guardianship and Representation: The role of legal guardianship and representatives.
Participants have already engaged in activities highlighting the program’s potential, including analyzing presidential debates, researching candidate platforms, and participating in a mock presidential election. These hands-on experiences help foster critical thinking and empower IDD individuals to advocate for themselves and actively participate in their communities.
“The Texas Bar Foundation’s support allows us to expand our mission of promoting the pursuit of choice, growth, and independence for people with IDD through education that champions inclusion and self-advocacy,” said Charles Njuguna, President and CEO of the Center for Pursuit. “This program provides participants with the knowledge and tools to become informed, engaged citizens.”
Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $28 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably funded bar foundation.
The grant-funded program aligns closely with the Texas Bar Foundation’s mission to enhance the rule of law and provide legal education to underserved communities. By addressing topics such as voting and guardianship, the course ensures participants understand their roles and responsibilities within the legal and civic systems.
Visit the Texas Bar Foundation page for more information.
###
About The Center for Pursuit
For more than seven decades, the Center for Pursuit (Pursuit) has empowered individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism and similar conditions to live meaningful, dignified lives filled with opportunity. Through innovative programs and services in areas like job skills training, supported employment, health and wellness, community living, and day services, Pursuit helps clients develop the skills and tools necessary to grow as individuals and participate fully in their community. Growing daily, the organization serves more than 1,000 individuals throughout greater Houston.