In 1999, a group of parents in Northeast Tarrant County were looking for opportunities for their children with intellectual disabilities as they graduated from high school and approached adulthood.
They were frustrated by what appeared to be a fragmented social service system. Recognizing a need for more effective support, not only for their sons and daughters, but also for other families in a similar situation, the group began brainstorming ways they could make a difference in the lives of adult individuals living with intellectual disabilities.
Despite not having any experience in developing and managing a nonprofit organization, this small but courageous group of parents founded North Texas Special Needs Assistance Partners (SNAP), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization serving individuals 17 and older living with intellectual disabilities.
North Texas SNAP believes that an individual’s success or failure in life is determined by the quality of their supports rather than their disability. We believe in the uniqueness of the individual, seeing their potential and their challenges. In this “one size fits all” society, we seek an individualized approach that truly serves the individual. The guiding factors in developing our programs and activities are our members’ specific needs and great potential. Our membership ranges in intellectual and developmental disabilities and is comprised of the intellectually disabled member, their families, business professionals, and community members.
Like their peers without intellectual disabilities SNAP members have the same hopes and dreams; they want to have jobs, friends, relationships, and to feel they’re a part of their community and treated with the same respect.
North Texas SNAP is committed to helping these individuals achieve their goals and has become a strong voice for change for our members. Our vision is to have a community where people with intellectual disabilities and their families have a network that supports independence, choice and personal success for generations to come.
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Our members’ unique needs and personal potential are guiding factors as we develop activities and programs, providing a positive and caring environment where friendships are nurtured and life skills are developed.
