Understanding State Disability Services: What’s New and What Remains

On July 1, 2024, Tennessee made a significant change in how it organizes disability services. The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) merged with the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) to form the new Department of Disability and Aging (DDA). This agency now oversees services and supports for over 1.5 million older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities.

DDA will be a “cabinet level” department. This means it’s one of the top departments in state government. Its leader will report directly to the Governor and be part of the Governor’s team of top advisors.

While this change represents a significant shift in how the state organizes disability and aging services, it’s important to understand that the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities remains a separate entity with an unchanged role and position in state government.

The Council will continue its work as an independent state agency focused on improving policies and practices that affect the lives of Tennesseans with developmental disabilities. Our mission - to provide leadership to ensure independence, productivity, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities in their communities - stays the same.

How We Differ from the DDA:

  • The DDA provides direct services to people with disabilities and older adults, such as home care and job training programs.
  • Our Council doesn’t offer direct services. Instead, we focus on improving policies and systems that affect people with developmental disabilities.
  • The DDA is a cabinet-level agency and manages day-to-day services.
  • We are an independent council that examines broader disability issues in Tennessee and works on long-term solutions.

Our Role Remains Consistent:

  • We continue to advocate for people with developmental disabilities.
  • We still work to improve policies that affect people with disabilities.
  • We educate lawmakers and the public about disability issues.
  • We facilitate collaboration between different groups to create positive change.

While the DDA now handles many disability services, we maintain our separate role in advocacy and policy work. We look forward to collaborating with the DDA while continuing our independent efforts to enhance the lives of Tennesseans with developmental disabilities.

Important Note About Web Links

With the creation of the new Department of Disability and Aging, many website URLs for disability services programs have changed. You may encounter broken links or 404 error pages when trying to access information online.

If this happens:

  • Try searching for the program or service name using a search engine.
  • Look for ".tn.gov" in the web address to find official state pages.
  • Check the main DDA website for updated program links.

Still can't find what you need?

Contact TN Disability Pathfinder for assistance:

Email: tnpathfinder@vumc.org
Phone: 1-800-640-4636