Kason Erwin was 16 years old and starting his junior year of high school when he joined CYVYC. He was the football and boys’ basketball manager. He is also in PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership), serving as a role model and mentor for students in the district. He works as a kitchen assistant at a local restaurant and volunteers with the Point Venture Leo Club, participating in community service projects. After high school, Kason plans on attending a post-secondary program for students with intellectual disabilities so he can experience college like his friends. When he finishes college, he would like to work for a college or NFL football team as a manager. In his free time, he likes to wake board, swim, ski, play golf and basketball. Kason also enjoys playing video games and hanging out with friends. He says, “I like to speak up and advocate for people with disabilities like myself. My main dream is to inspire people and show them they can do anything they set their minds to. I am thankful for this opportunity and look forward to learning more about options for guardianship.”
In the fall of 2025, Kason will be attending the EMPOWER program at the University of Arkansas to study Sports Management and serve as a student manager with the Razorback football team.
Kason's Showcase
- Presentation from the showcase can be downloaded here.
- Inclusive Post Secondary Education Opportunities for People with Intellectual: 8 Tips from a Parent’s Perspective.
Other Content
Kason was asked to speak at the Texas State Capitol in April 2025 in support of a bill focused on increasing access to inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities. It’s called the Building Better Futures Bill (HB 2081), and it would create a program within the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to allow colleges and universities to apply for funding to develop inclusive higher education programs on their campuses. Students would have access to funding as well. You can watch Kason’s testimony starting at minute 20:00.
Caption: Kason testifying at the Texas State Capitol in April 2025 in support of the Building Better Futures Bill (HB 2081).
Caption: The Arc of Texas Public Policy & Advocacy staff, Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, individuals who testified in support of HB 2081, and their friends and family. The man in the middle is Representative John Bucy III, who authored HB 2081.