Independent Living Services
The Independent Living Program provides services to eligible individuals of all ages who are blind or who have a severe visual impairment to enable customers to care for themselves in their homes and communities. Rehabilitation Instructors provide a wide range of independent living services to all eligible individuals in all areas of the state, including those living in rural counties. Instructors provide direct services to individuals on a one-on-one basis and coordinate other services which may be available from other agencies and organizations. All services are customized to meet the individual's needs and may include:
- Guidance and Counseling
- Functional Low Vision Evaluations
- Orientation and Mobility Services
- Instruction in Communication Skills such as braille, use of recording devices, books in alternative formats, etc.
- Instruction in Daily Living Skills
- Leisure Time Activities
- Information and Referral
Tennessee Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired receives special funding to provide independent living services to older individuals who are blind or visually impaired. These services are administered by the agency’s Rehabilitation instructors who coordinate the efforts of Rehab Assistants in working with individuals who are at least 55 years old. The assistants provide direct services to individuals on a one-on-one basis and coordinate services which may be available from other agencies and organizations. All services are provided under the supervision of a Rehabilitation Instructor.
Independent Living Program Blind and Visually Impaired Flyer
Independent Living Program Blind and Visually Impaired Flyer: Spanish
Contact Information:
To refer an individual to the Independent Living Program or to learn more about program services contact: 1-833-772-TDHS (8347)
Centers for Independent Living Services
In addition to Independent Living Services that focus on serving community members who are blind or visually impaired, Tennesseans have access to six (6) Centers for Independent Living across the state. These centers provide five (5) Core Services: Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Counseling, Individual and System Advocacy and Transition. Centers also provide an array of other supports to aid the productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society. Below is a list of centers serving Tennessee.
Disability Connection Midsouth
Formally, the Memphis Center for Independent Living (MCIL)
Disability Connection Midsouth serves Shelby County.
Tim Wheat, Co-Executive Director
1000 S. Cooper Street
Memphis, TN 38104
Telephone: (901) 726-6404
VP: (901) 300-9705
timw@disabilitymidsouth.org
Jackson Center for Independent Living (JCIL)
Jackson Center for Independent Living serves 8 counties (Madison, Carroll, Crockett, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, and Haywood).
Beth James, Executive Director
23 Federal Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
Telephone: (731) 668-2211
beth@jcil.tn.org
TARP Center for Independent Living (TARP)
The TARP Center for Independent Living serves 8 counties (Benton, Dickson,
Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Stewart, and Weakley).
Denise Wardle, Executive Director
1027 Mineral Wells Ave., Suite 7
Paris, TN 38242
Telephone: (731) 644-0026 Toll-free (866) 895-8277
denisew@tarp1.org
Empower Tennessee
serves 7 counties (Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner,
Williamson, and Wilson).
Gina Lynette, Executive Director
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Telephone: (615) 200-6028
info@empowerTN.org
gina@empowertn.org
disABILITY Resource Center (dRC)
disABILITY Resource Center serves Knox County.
Katherine Moore, Executive Director
911 Cross Park Dr Suite E 135
Knoxville, TN 37915
Telephone: (865) 637-3666
kmoore@drctn.org
Tri-State Resource and Advocacy Center
Tri-State Resource and Advocacy Center serves 10 counties (Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie).
Mark Woolfall,
Executive Director
5726 Marlin Rd Suite 413
Chattanooga, TN 37411
Telephone: (423) 892-4774
ilctrac@yahoo.com