Chad Albright smiles at the camera during a Texas Rose Advocates meeting at the Andrews Center in Tyler, Texas, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. Tyler Rose Advocates is a group of special needs adults who advocate on their own behalf and meet for social and charitable events. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Members of the Tyler Rose Advocates have not let their intellectual or developmental disabilities keep them from making their voices heard.

The mission of the Tyler Rose Advocates, which consist of around 30 members, is to empower its members to cope with the difficulties of life and live up to their greatest potential.

Members of the group receive formal training from the Arc of Texas. The Arc’s national offices and local advisors learn how to plan and organize lives and advocate for people with disabilities. The Tyler Rose Advocates operates under the Arc of Smith County.

The group travels to Austin at least once a year to speak with state representatives about bills that affect them. The advocates also attend an annual Texas Advocates conference designed to help members from throughout the state become more independent and informed of opportunities.

Members also conduct and lead the group’s monthly meeting -with the help of family members and advisors.

“These guys have a voice. Being in this meeting it gives them fulfillment,” Krissi Perryman, group facilitator, said. “It gives them a sense (of) having a place to go that they feel like they are needed. They’re safe here.”

At a recent group meeting, the advocates discussed ideas for future fundraisers – such as car washes and candy sales – to help fund expenses. As the group covered agenda items, and members voiced their opinions, an overarching theme became clear: the group wants to build a stronger connection with their community. But from that desire, challenges can arise.

“We run into a lot of people taking advantage of them,” Perryman said. “That’s heartbreaking to me. They are smarter than you think, and they can do a lot.

“We are trying to teach them ‘don’t let people (take advantage of) you,” she said. “Be yourself but let them know that they can’t do that.”

Perryman said events, such as the Texas Advocates conference, have gone a long way toward help the advocates improve their life skills.

“They get to learn anything from hygiene, to living on their own, to voting -like how they can vote for political parties and things,” she said.

Members of the group also learn about matters regarding Social Security and budgeting. Many in the group live independently and have jobs.

“I think this group is important for people with special needs as well as our community…” Perryman said. “These guys are taxpayers. They are voters. They play an important role in community.”

Cherie Brown, the president of the group’s board, said she enjoyed being a member of the group and has learned about ways to be more independent. One of her goals is to clear up misconceptions that some have about people with special needs.

“We go out in the community and reach out to people to show we are real people,” Brown said.

Closer Look: Anyone over the age of 17 with disabilities can join the Tyler Rose Advocates. There is $20 membership per year. For questions, or to learn about ways to help support the group, call the Arc of Smith County at 903-597-0995 and speak with Krissi or Rhonda.

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