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Council Staff High Note
I have been a member of Council staff for almost four months, and I continue to be awed as I see the real-life impact of the work we do here.
Julie Hocker, Commissioner of the federal Administration on Disabilities, visited the Council offices last week. I had the pleasure of listening as people who have been touched by our work told Commissioner Hocker their stories.
Their stories were varied: A parent making connections that led to a new high school diploma option for students with developmental disabilities; a sibling suddenly responsible for supporting his sister with a disability and finding knowledge, camaraderie, and joy in a sibling support network; a mother and wife who is blind finding empowerment and self-confidence to take the reins of her life and then support other women in doing the same; young adults with disabilities living out their personal passions, influencing policy, setting and reaching new goals.
The stories were powerful, and there was a common thread: The impact never stopped with one person. Each story had its own ripple effects, touching the lives of so many others.
Change can sometimes seem painfully slow. But in this job, I see a deep dedication from so many people who are determined to help our state do better and be better. They know that people with all types of disabilities – my daughter, and you, reader, and your loved ones – have something to contribute that makes this state a richer place.
As the newest staff at the Council, here is what I see: Change is happening. Sometimes it’s big and obvious, but most often, it’s in the personal stories that ripple out and nudge us closer to where we need to be. Thank you for being a part of that work.
-Jolene Sharp, Chief Public Information Officer
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Help us learn about how you make decisions
Disability Rights Tennessee and Advocate Market Research are conducting online focus groups in May 2019 to learn more about how Tennesseans view decision-making for people with disabilities. Groups will last 90 minutes and internet access via a computer with a camera and microphone are required. Participants will be compensated with a $25 Visa gift card for their time.
If interested, please complete the survey. You may be contacted for more information or to confirm your availability. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FocusGroupDecisions
This work will help inform our state's work around educating people with disabilities and their families about supported decision-making options. |
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Input Needed: Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Experience Survey
TN Disability Pathfinder, the state's information and referral office for disability resources launched by the Council and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, wants to learn from families, people with disabilities, disability service providers, educators, and community organizations across the state how Pathfinder can best provide the information, services, and resources you need. Share your experiences with our website or statewide help line or both.
Questions? Please reach out to Jennifer Bumble at Jennifer.bumble@vanderbilt.edu.
Click here: https://is.gd/Pathfinder
Or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=EC8W3HACFX
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5/30 TN Disability Pathfinder "Disability Resources 101" - Paris
Join Pathfinder on May 30 in Paris, TN for a free training to learn more about lots of basic disability resources, including information and referral assistance; autism resources; leadership training and systems change; protection of disability rights; advocacy support and future planning; special education training and advocacy; independent living training and Family Support Program; and support services for older adults and individuals with physical disabilities. Pre-registration is required.
Our Policy Director, Lauren Pearcy, will be speaking about what the Council has to offer to families and people with disabilities!
Date: Thursday, May 30
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Henry County Medical Center,
301 Tyson Avenue, Classroom 1, Paris, TN 38242
Register here
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TN Rehabilitation Center-Smyrna, Gov. Lee announce new CVS pharmacy training program
Last week, Gov. Bill Lee helped introduce a new program hosted at the TN Rehabilitation Center (TRC) - Smryna, which is run by the TN Dept. of Human Services' Vocational Rehabilitation Division. TRC-Smyrna partnered with CVS Health to create a mock CVS pharmacy and store where students with disabilities will learn job skills to prepare them for customer care and pharmacy tech positions.
Read a news story about the new program here.
Check out a video about the opening of the program on Facebook.
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The Arc Tennessee to Host Family Forums Statewide June-July
The Arc Tennessee, in conjunction with the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, will be hosting forums across the state to talk with families about family engagement with schools, special education rights, and an introduction to adult services. Attendees will need to register ahead of time. For more information, click here. Link to register is http://bit.ly/TNFamForums.
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5/18 TN State Museum Sensory Friendly Open House
Join the State Museum for its first sensory-friendly family event. This free event is open to people of all ages and abilities, but designed especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities. Participants can make sensory-friendly art and crafts, travel through the Museum’s exhibitions on a family scavenger hunt, and enjoy a storytime session planned for the occasion. Exhibition galleries will have a modified noise level throughout the event. For more information, please contact Morgan Byrn at Morgan.Byrn@tn.gov or 615-770-5866.
While the event is free, families who plan to attend are asked to register to receive information about the open house. Click here to RSVP.
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5/18, Nashville - Fashion is for Every Body’s 2019 Runway Show Open Call
Fashion is for Every Body is hosting an open call for models for their Sept. 2019 Runway Show and for inclusive photo shoots for adults of all ages, all sizes and all physical abilities on Saturday, May 18 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at West Police Precinct Conference Room, 5500 Charlotte Pike, Nashville 37209.
Visit their Facebook event for more details.
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5/21 - STEP Inc. Lunchtime Leaders Webinar: Sexuality and Disability
Sexual health is an important part of growing up. However, it can be a very overwhelming and confusing time. This webinar on May 21 at 11:30 a.m. Central will give you a synopsis of the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network’s four-part series on sexuality and disability. SPAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and empower families as well as to inform and involve professionals and other individuals interested in the healthy development and educational rights of children.
Click here to register for the free webinar
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5/21 - The Arc U.S. Future Planning Webinar
"Future Planning" is important for families with members with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but is not a widely understood concept. Yet, experience shows that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities make a better transition from the family home when a future plan is in place. To learn more about "Future Planning," attend this Arc U.S. webinar next week.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Plan for the Future Webinar
1:00 PM CST
Register here |
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5/23 - Katie Beckett Program Stakeholder Input Session at TN Disability MegaConference
During legislative session, the General Assembly passed legislation that would implement a Katie Beckett Waiver Program in the state of Tennessee. The two-part Medicaid waiver will provide medical coverage and wrap-around services for children with high-cost, complex medical needs, regardless of their parents' income.
The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and TennCare are starting the process of getting feedback to help design and run the program. These two agencies will hold an input session at the Tennessee Disability MegaConference on May 23, 2019 from 2 - 4:15 p.m. in the Cumberland Ballroom at the Nashville Airport Marriott.
It will share what the program would offer, who may qualify, and the process for getting the program approved and started. Most importantly, this session will let families and other community members provide input that will help shape how the program is designed and how it would work.
Read a fact sheet about the program in Word or a fact sheet about the program as a PDF.
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Webinar Series: Health Care and the ADA
This new webinar series focused on how health care is impacted by the Americans with Disabilities Act is hosted by the Pacific ADA Center on behalf of the ADA National Network. The first webinar will be "The Basics of Health Care and the ADA" on May 23, and cover three areas: 1) facility access including: physical access to the building and exam rooms and accessible medical equipment; 2) effective communication with patients with disabilities; and 3) modification of programs, policies, and procedures.
Register here for the series.
Webinars will occur on the fourth Thursday of the month beginning May 23 at 2.30 p.m. Eastern, 1.30 p.m. Central. Registration closes at midnight, May 22.
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TN Early Intervention Council Searching for Parent Representatives
The TN Early Intervention System (TEIS) is in search of parents of children who are currently receiving services from TEIS or have received services in the last five years who are interested in applying as candidates for appointment to TEIS’ State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC). Service on the SICC is an opportunity to be an advocate and a voice for the early intervention system and to become involved at a state level in decisions that impact the children and families served by TEIS. The commitment involves attendance at quarterly meetings held in the Nashville area. Travel expenses are reimbursable. Interested candidates should contact Amy Jenkins at 615-707-0082 or at Amy.Jenkins@tn.gov.
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Need information about
disability resources in your community?
Helpline: 1-800-640-4636;
Multilingual Services: 615-875-5083
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The Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is a state agency established to improve disability policies and practices, educate policymakers and the public, and facilitate community collaboration to create lasting, positive change.
The Council provides equal opportunity and access to its programs and activities by the public, and in its hiring and employment practices. The Council prohibits discrimination in all activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/cdd/about-the-council/title-vi.html.
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Council Meeting Dates
- September 13, 2019 – Council Meeting
- November 14 & 15, 2019 – Annual Planning Retreat
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