ICF Advocates for Choice

Choice without Boundaries

It is with the deepest sorrow that I must tell you that Stephen A. Wallace passed away on December 17, 2021.

Stephen Wallace was the epitome of a fine Southern gentleman, devoted to his beautiful wife Debra, his family and to his friends and colleagues. Stephen was an accomplished legal mind as an attorney and Judge, and an outstanding disability advocate, who generously and selflessly donated his keen intellect, passion and talents to fight for his severely autistic son Justin, and parents and families nationwide struggling to find and preserve the appropriate services our severely disabled loved ones need to survive.

Steve's wry sense of gentle humor and his quick wit were reminiscent of Mark Twain and will be sorely missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. He had an extremely kind heart and jumped to the defense of the underdog, even at personal cost. His integrity and honor were unquestionable.

It was Stephen's legal arguments that preserved the existence of the Texas ICF for his son Justin and for Justin's peers. Another of his outstanding advocacy accomplishments was the letter he primarily authored to the ACLU which turned back their considerable legal challenge to the existence of ICFs. Stephen also wrote letters, tirelessly attended meetings, lobbied legislatures and policymakers and represented the needs and concerns of so many families in need of disability services. He was always willing to freely share his ideas and information.

Stephen Wallace was a wonderful individual that we will miss greatly. Our sorrow is lessened only slightly with the comforting thought that we had the privilege to know him.

Debra, our hearts and our prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. We will miss Steve greatly and all the good he accomplished will live on.

. As Mark Twain once said:

Let us endeavor to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.

ATTORNEY STEPHEN WALLACE (Texas) was a member of PART, Parents and Allies for Remarkable Texans and serves on the Policy Committee of NCSA, (National Council on Severe Autism), Co-President of Texas Families and Friends for Choice

Stephen graduated as a Political Science / History major from Texas State University.

He worked as a teacher at an ICF, the Austin State School before he earned his paralegal degree from Texas Stare University,

Stephen worked as a Parent Trainer for the ARC and served on the Advocacy, Inc. non-profit Board.

Stephen worked as a Special Education Teacher in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Stephen received his law degree from Louisiana State University. He worked as the Research Attorney for the Louisiana Seagrant Program and was the Lead Counsel for the Louisiana Office of Oil Spill Mitigation for the Governor of Louisiana. Stephen then entered into private practice for 5 years before becoming a Texas Administrative Hearing Officer, the position he held until his recent retirement.

His youngest son Justin, is severely autistic and resides at an ICF, the Austin State Supported Living Center.