September 2023

Click here to see original email campaign with photos.

From the Council's Chief Strategy Officer

Dear readers,

Happy fall! We’re a couple days short of the official season change, but cooler temperatures are in the air and touches of color are appearing on maple leaves.
 
I am lucky to be spending this week in beautiful Knoxville at a state government leadership training. I’ve enjoyed sunrise runs on Neyland Greenway and dinners at some fantastic local restaurants. More importantly, I am soaking up knowledge and connecting with fellow leaders across state government. It gives me hope to meet passionate colleagues doing great work in so many different areas. That work often happens outside the spotlight, but it matters a great deal to the lives of real Tennesseans. I am excited to grow those cross-agency connections. I can’t wait to apply what I’m learning to our work here at the Council on Developmental Disabilities.

If you’d like to be a more direct part of that work, don’t miss our open job listing below. We are accepting applications for a few more days – through Sunday, September 24. This role will primarily support our day-to-day communications activities but will also have project management and other support responsibilities across work areas. Please share this listing with anyone in your network who might be a great fit.
 
We also have TWO new videos to share with you!

  • The first is a great way to explain and share our healthy behavior checklist.
  • The second celebrates 30 years of Partners in Policymaking through the stories of graduates making a difference in their families and communities.

Enjoy and share these videos – and all the great content below – with your networks! You are ambassadors who help us get important information and resources to more members of Tennessee’s disability community.

Thanks for all the different ways you are a part of our work!

Jolene Sharp
Chief Strategy Officer

Watch and share our 2 new videos: New Behavior Checklist, Celebrating 30 years of Partners in Policymaking in TN

We're Hiring: Project Coordinator

The Council on Developmental Disabilities is seeking to fill the position of Project Coordinator. This is a full time, executive service position that will support the agency’s state plan goals.  The position reports to the Chief Strategy Officer.

Position: Executive Admin Assistant I Salary Grade M

Working Title: Project Coordinator

Deadline: Apply by Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.  Lived disability experience a plus. Passion for the values of disability inclusion, independence, and self-determination required.

Location: The office location for this position is 500 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville. However, this position is classified as Alternative Workspace Solutions (AWS) Work From Home. This means the person can work remotely the majority of the time but must attend in-person meetings and events as business needs require.
 
Job Responsibilities:

  • Manage recurring communications projects, including:
    • Social media research, planning, and execution
    • Formatting of existing newsletter content for distribution via digital marketing platform
    • Website content maintenance
    • Print magazine content development and production
  • Provide project support to the Chief Strategy Officer in three key work areas:
    • Expanding outreach to underserved communities
    • Increasing healthcare access for marginalized Tennesseans with disabilities
    • Promoting plain language as a best practice
  • Provide on-site staff support to Council committee meetings and other Council programs and trainings
  • Represent the Council at disability events and on state workgroups as assigned based on interest areas
  • Assist with data tracking, reporting, and administrative tasks to support state plan goal directors as assigned

Core Competencies:

  • Organizing
  • Planning
  • Priority Setting
  • Process Oriented
  • Creativity

Skills:

  • Project management – independently and proactively tracking task timelines, next steps, and deadlines
  • Strong written communication
  • Quick learning
  • Basic familiarity with principles of graphic design and print publication
  • Collaborative mindset

Strong candidates will have experience with the following platforms or the ability to independently learn them and quickly become proficient:

  • Mailchimp
  • Asana
  • Microsoft Office/Outlook/Teams
  • Canva
  • Facebook/YouTube/ Instagram/LinkedIn
  • Adobe Acrobat/Adobe Experience Manager (website management)/Adobe Analytics

Apply here.

Get to Know a Leader (Special Technology Edition!): DIDD's 6 Regional Enabling Tech Champions + upcoming tech events, award nominations

Our partners at the TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) are hosting their annual FREE Enabling Technology summit on Nov. 8-9 in Murfreesboro, TN.

If you're not familiar with the term "enabling technology", it just means any way that technology can be used to help people be more independent in their homes, communities and workplaces. Enabling technology can include:

  • Apps and smartphone features
  • Tablets, laptops, or computers
  • Smart home tech like stove sensors, medication dispensers, doorbell cameras, touchscreen refrigerators or smart speakers/virtual assistants
  • Assistive technology solutions or devices designed for people with disabilities
  • Remote monitoring supports where people outside someone's home can provide help to the person from another location
  • LOTS of other creative options!

DIDD's Enabling Tech summit is a great way to learn about creative ways that Tennesseans with disabilities are using tech to live better and more independent lives. 

Another great way is to attend the upcoming "Tech for All" online training series for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

If you know of folks using tech in neat ways, you can nominate them for a "Tech Trailblazer" award during the summit - just fill out this form before Sept. 29.

DIDD has 6 "enabling tech champions" stationed across TN who are helping people with disabilities every day learn how tech can help them. Get to know these 6 leaders below and explore the Enabling Tech webpage to learn more!

We sent these 5 questions to all 6 of the regional Enabling Tech Champions - read their answers below!

  • Tell us a bit about your career background.
  • What is one thing you’re working on right now that you are excited about?
  • What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned from working with TN’s disability community?
  • If you could wave a magic wand to remove a barrier to doing all that you want to be doing in your role, what would that look like?
  • What are some activities you enjoy doing in your free time?

Sherrita Addison (West TN)

  • I have been employed with DIDD for five years as the Plans Review Coordinator and now as an Enabling Technology Coordinator. Prior to DIDD, I worked with youth with disabilities as a classroom teacher and as a case manager at a residential youth facility.
  • I am excited about working on a project that will expand the use of Enabling Technology to self-advocates.
  • TN’s disability community is a tight knit community with rich history of sharing information and advocating for one another.
  • If I had a magic wand, I would immediately place an Alexa device in the life of the person desiring Enabling Technology.
  • I enjoy reading, spending time with family & friends, and MJ (my mother’s dog).

Christy Fili (West TN)

  • I have been working in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field for ten years now in everything from a direct support professional to an independent support coordinator. I’ve been with DIDD for about a year now as a Tech Champion assisting people with obtaining technology solutions to improve and maximize their independence.
  • In the West Region, we are planning a Technology Camp in Memphis for 2024 where children and adults with IDD can come explore technology options while also experiencing nature and camp comradery.
  • One thing I've learned from working in TN is that a good life does not have to be a complicated life.
  • A barrier I would love to see removed is better urban planning in our cities. So many people could be using Enabling Technology if they had more accessible and reliable public transportation. We need improved and thoughtfully networked sidewalks and safe street crossing so that folks can move around in and navigate their world independently. Not just in trendy neighbors, but city wide where daily life occurs.
  • I enjoy playing bass and electric guitar in local bands.

Toni Johnson (Middle TN)

  • Prior to joining the Enabling Tech team, I was a part of the Person-Centered Practice Unit with DIDD for 6.5 years and I remain an active Person Centered Thinking trainer. I also worked for several years in many capacities at a provider agency. I thoroughly enjoy working with Enabling Technology and feel that my experience in other capacities has helped me excel in supporting Tennesseans with disabilities by providing them with resources to help them reach their goals and gain the independence they desire with the use of enabling technology solutions.
  • One thing I am working on currently that I am excited about is the Tech For All project. I am excited to be able to be a part of this and offer resources to people to help them learn more about technology in general, internet safety, social media etc.
  • Lesson learned: PATIENCE. I feel like I am a very impatient person by nature, but working in this field has taught me that patience truly is a virtue. Not everything we do in life is a sprint, it’s a marathon and when we think about helping people meet goals and receive adequate services and supports, we must trust the process and be patient!
  • If I could wave a magic wand, I'd get rid of funding caps! I wish everyone had more (or unlimited!) waiver funds to assist with enabling technology!
  • I enjoy running, working out, being outdoors, and reading books. I also love watching my son play baseball and other sports!

Michelle Turner (Middle TN)

  • I started out working for a provider agency as a direct support professional throughout college. In 2017, I came to DIDD and was first introduced to Enabling Technology as a pilot project. I was so thrilled at the idea of using technology to support people to be more independent and was blessed to move into the Enabling Technology Coordinator role for Middle TN in 2021.
  • We are currently planning our upcoming Technology Camp events for Middle and West TN. We held our first camp last year in October, and it was such a cool experience and so much fun! We are very much looking forward to these next camp events!
  • I have learned that while there are some really great resources available throughout the state, sometimes the information does not make it into the hands of the people who need it most. I always try to connect people with resources whenever those situations arise and try to make sure people are well informed on how some of the processes work and know what they can expect.
  • I think the first thing I would do is help people become more educated about all the ways that technology can support people to live their best lives. I think if there was an overall better understanding of what enabling tech is, it would help resolve some of the apprehension and stigma that understandably comes with something new and different.
  • My husband and I are big sports fans and love going to UT Vols games in Knoxville, as well as Preds, Titans, Nashville SC, and STL Cardinals games. We also love to travel to new places and countries as often as we can! We have a rescue mutt named Murray, who we like to take with us any and everywhere we can. 

Regan Kleinendorst (East TN)

  • I previously worked just over 20 years for a local provider agency supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, I assist persons with obtaining technology that enables them to maintain or build independence at home, at work and in their community.
  • I am excited about the potential that virtual and augmented reality has for helping people build their daily living or employment-related skill sets. Our Division of Innovation has been working with industry experts to develop Virtual Reality videos in the topics of travel training, employment skills and employment exploration.
  • Through my years working with the intellectual and developmental disabilities community I have learned to never underestimate a person’s potential and desire to live on their terms.
  • If I could remove barriers with a magic wand, I would make it so that everyone recognized the value Enabling Technology can bring to persons with disabilities.
  • Most of my free time is spent with my family and volunteering both as a Cub Scout Den Leader and as a Scoutmaster in my daughter’s Boy Scouts of America troop. I also enjoy reading, music, football, camping and traveling.

Joel Walker (East TN)

  • I started with the department in September 2004 as a case manager for the Self-Determination Waiver. During my DIDD career, I had the chance to assist twice in the transition of people moving from Greene Valley Developmental Center to their own homes in the community. In 2017, I volunteered in the development of the Enabling Technology program and was hired as an Enabling Technology Coordinator in 2019.
  • It’s extremely difficult to narrow it down to one thing I am working on right now that I am excited about because each day I do this job, I am excited.  But if I were to share about one thing, it is a new project we are just getting started on: the Technology for All self-advocate program. This program is not only going to help people with IDD and their families gain knowledge about enabling technology but to also demand a seat at the decision-making table.
  • One of the biggest lessons I have learned from working with the TN disability population is never limit what a person can do, so …
  • … If I could wave a magic wand and remove a barrier, it would be for parents/conservators, provider agencies, and people in general to give people the dignity of risk to live the most independent life they can.  Sadly, some people see the disability first and immediately think a person is incapable of any level of independence.  With Enabling Technology, there is something available for everyone to assist with their independence. 
  • In my spare time, I like to spend time with my wife, Laura, and my dog, Ellie, including traveling.  I am an avid sports fan and especially love watching football.  I also love binge watching on the streaming services.

Disability Policy Corner (Sept. 2023)

We're on a break from our weekly policy newsletter until the legislature begins again in January. In the meantime, we'll keep you updated here on the most important state and national policy news affecting people with disabilities.

This edition of our policy corner is packed with news about federal bills and proposed policy changes that YOU can weigh in on. Let us know if you want more info about any of these or have questions for us: tnddc@tn.gov.

TN news:

Federal news:

Call for Interviews: Kindred Stories of Disability - Mental Health and Youth

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, The Arc Tennessee, and Able Voices are in search of Tennesseans to interview about  "Mental Health and Youth" for the next issue of Kindred Stories of Disability. These stories and experiences will be shared with TN legislators and policymakers to educate them about the barriers that children and youth with disabilities who also have mental health conditions face as they seek services. 

They want to interview:

  • parents and caregivers of children and youth with disabilities and mental health conditions, and
  • mental health care professionals and health care providers who serve children and youth with disabilities in their practice. 

If you participate, this includes:

  • A one-hour conversation with a Vanderbilt student over Zoom, with questions shared in advance -- NOTE: Interviewees may choose to remain anonymous
  • Optional photo session to give young photographers with disabilities experience using photography for advocacy
  • Final review of your story, written by the student
  • Stories and photos may be printed and shared with legislators and policymakers during Tennessee Disability Day on the Hill.

Check out the Kindred Stories flyer for full details. Interested participants may volunteer by clicking here. Contact Courtney Taylor with any questions.