LTO Ventures

01/13/2026

IMPORTANT READ: New research reveals the first generation of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) outliving their parents, further highlighting the worsening shortage of supportive housing and trained, competitively-paid staff to care for them.

The first generation of senior citizens living with IDD means added demand for group homes and other residential facilities as their families, who often care for them, also age.

04/22/2025

Survey Findings!
More Programs Wanted for Adults with IDD in Boerne!
In the Fall of 2024, LTO Ventures conducted an online survey of families and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) in Boerne and the surrounding region. We notified prospective respondents through email campaigns like this one, website, and social media postings, and the SPOND app used by Boerne Blaze Special Olympics to manage the activities of the delegation.

The purpose of the survey was to gather data from adults with IDD and their families in and around Boerne about their interest in programming and services-related issues to help LTO Ventures prepare the educational and social-recreational programs it hopes to launch later in 2025.

Read our blog post with the full Report of Findings and what it means for our plans here: https://www.ltoventures.org/blog/survey-findings-programs-for-adults-widd-in-boerne

03/18/2025

I have been saying for some time that Private Equity's interest in (or preying on) the housing and services providers for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) is a clear and present danger to the safety, security, health, and lives of these adults. This Washington Post article - https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/18/private-equity-intellectually-disabled-homes/ - makes a clear case about that danger. Sorry if you can't read past the paywall. I've linked the report that is the basis for the article -https://pestakeholder.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PESP_Report_IDD_2025.pdf

03/18/2025

Mark Olson, founder of LTO Ventures, recently sat down with Mark de Grasse, host of Dads in AutismLand. The episode tackled one of the biggest concerns for autism dads: What happens when we’re gone?

From financial planning to policy advocacy, Mark offers crucial insights into securing a future for our children beyond our lifetimes.

Whether you’re a parent in the trenches or looking for actionable advice, this episode is packed with wisdom, resources, and inspiration.

🎤The critical question: What happens to our children when we’re gone?

🎤Mark Olson’s journey as an autism dad and founder of LTO Ventures

🎤The financial realities of long-term care and why planning must start early

🎤The challenges of finding housing and support for autistic adults

🎤How parents can take action and build autism-friendly communities

🎤Advocacy efforts for disability rights and policy changes

🎧Listen to the episode:
https://www.ltoventures.org/blog/the-one-question-every-autism-dad-fears-and-how-to-answer-it

03/16/2025

A crisis of care is threatening the lives of thousands of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, but the good news is that a well-researched, cost-effective solution to this crisis is before the current Texas Legislature and needs your support.

There are more than 700,000 Texans with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), and more than 170,000 of them are 18 and older. Their diagnoses include autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and Fragile X syndrome.

If you don’t have a child or sibling in your family with IDD, you likely know someone who does.

This article, written by LTO Ventures CEO & President, Mark L. Olson, was recently featured in the The Boerne Star.
Read the full article here:

https://www.ltoventures.org/blog/protecting-our-most-vulnerable-and-those-who-care-for-them

03/15/2025

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights the importance of individuals with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life and serves as an opportunity to tackle obstacles that hinder their full participation at both local and state levels. Learn more about how LTO Ventures is helping adults with IDD embrace life to the fullest.

https://ltoventures.org

03/14/2025

Intentional communities offer safety, stability, and independence for adults with IDD. We’re working on housing projects in TX, IN, WI, OH, PA, and beyond. Let’s keep expanding our choices!

More housing choices = more independence!

LTO Ventures Projects Current Projects Texas Autumn Hills Village Autumn Hills Village - Our Project LTO Ventures Founder, President & CEO Mark Olson is developing plans for a neurodiverse live/work/play community for adults with IDD in the southern Kendall County, Texas. The residential setting wou...

03/12/2025

The Boerne Star published a Guest Commentary today by President & CEO Mark L. Olson - https://www.boernestar.com/article/10328,protecting-our-most-vulnerable-and-those-who-care-for-them. Thank you!

We’re The Boerne Star! Local yesterday, today and tomorrow. Your resource for news and information

03/07/2025

Leadership Boerne 2025 visited the Texas Capitol to meet with lawmakers and advocate for IDD issues. Showing up and speaking up is how change happens! What action will YOU take today?

(Yes, that IS rattlesnakes in the state capitol. See blog post for details.)


https://www.ltoventures.org/blog/someone-should-do-something-that-someonenbspis-you

03/06/2025

In April 2022, advocates like you fought to remove restrictive language that threatened intentional communities for adults with IDD. Your voice made a difference then, and it still does now! Let’s keep fighting for housing freedom. Get involved and learn more here: https://www.ltoventures.org/advocacy

03/05/2025

Hundreds of IDD group homes in Texas closed last year due to low DSP wages. Without proper support, adults with IDD lose their independence. We must fight for fair wages. Check out this month's newsletter to learn more.
https://www.ltoventures.org/blog/someone-should-do-something-that-someonenbspis-you