March 2025

From Our Chief Strategy Officer

Dear readers,

March is a big month here at the Council. Last Wednesday, a record number of Council members and Partners in Policymaking® scholars joined us for Disability Day on the Hill. It’s such a joy to see the legislative halls full of people with all different types of disabilities. They come to share their stories and talk with their representatives about the issues that matter most to them. I had the pleasure of sitting in on a few meetings with our Council members.  

Favorite moments included:

• Diamond Grigsby rising to the occasion when her representative surprised her with a Facebook Live interview.
• Katie Moore hearing from her representative that she was his favorite meeting of the day.
• Kezia Cox getting to tell the many people who complimented her gorgeous dress that she made it herself.

See below for a few pictures from the day!

Last Thursday, Council member Courtney Johnson, her professional support staff, and I were guests of State Representative Rebecca Alexander (R-Jonesborough) on the floor of the House session. In response to Courtney's advocacy, Rep. Alexander sponsored TN Joint House Resolution 304 recognizing disabled victims of filicide - or murder by family members or caregivers. This is a deeply personal issue for Courtney, who for several years has been Tennessee's coordinator for Disability Day of Mourning.

You can watch the reading of the resolution and Rep. Alexander's moving remarks at this link, starting at time stamp 37:10.

All of this comes during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The campaign theme for 2025 is “We’re here all year – Meet us. Know us. Involve us.” That seems like a good way to sum up why we hold Disability Day on the Hill meetings – and why we do this work together in all the months between. As always, I am grateful to be in it with each of you.

Until next month,

- Jolene Sharp

Improve Transition Services for Students with Autism

Vanderbilt’s Transitions Lab is creating a program called TASK (Transition Access, Skills, and Knowledge) to help teachers, students with autism, and their families more easily access adult disability services. They need your help to do so. By participating in online focus groups (or one-on-one interviews for younger people), you can share insights that will make transition planning more effective and inclusive.

Who They Need

• Special Education Teachers: Certified in special education, teaching high school students with autism in a TN public or TDOE-approved private school.
• Adult Disability Service Providers: Working in Tennessee in vocational rehabilitation, postsecondary education programs, or other community living services.
• Adolescents/Young Adults with Autism: Ages 14.5 years or older who live in Tennessee and are either in high school or graduated within the last five years.
• Parents: Parents or guardians of a Tennessee student or recent graduate with autism.

How to Get Involved:

• Complete the brief interest form here.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Vanderbilt Transitions Lab at transitions@vumc.org or call (615) 322-2943.

Shape the Future of Accessible Transportation in Tennessee

The Office of Mobility and Accessible Transportation (OMAT) is seeking your input on the transportation needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Your feedback will help shape the 2025 Mobility & Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan, ensuring that public transit is more inclusive and responsive to community needs.

How You Can Participate:

Register for a Virtual Listening Session – Starting March 17, OMAT will be hosting 90 minute listening sessions where you will be able share your experiences and insights on accessible transportation.

Take the Public Transportation Needs Assessment Survey – Available now through April 15, 2025.

Spread the Word – Share this opportunity with your networks, including social media, organizations, and agencies that serve older adults and people with disabilities.

Council Member and Partners in Policymaking Spotlight

On March 12, Disability Day on the Hill saw record participation from Council members and Partners in Policymaking students and alumni.  

The Tennessee Disability Coalition, who organizes this event each year, chose the theme "Liberty, not limits." This reflected our shared commitment to a wide-open future for people with disabilities and their families.

Together, our community brought their stories directly to policymakers, helping leaders understand issues facing Tennesseans with disabilities. Thank you to everyone who attended and spoke up—you made this day a huge success!

Policy Corner: Council News to Know

Policy director Emma Garton is away from the office this week, so Policy Corner is on a temporary break. We'll be back next month with lots of policy updates and news you can use! Questions in the meantime? Contact us at TNDDC@tn.gov.

Nominate an Outstanding Direct Support Professional

Do you know a Direct Support Professional (DSP) making a lasting impact on the lives of people with disabilities or older adults? TennCare is now accepting nominations for exceptional DSPs in the CHOICES and ECF CHOICES programs.

DSPs play a vital role in empowering individuals to live independently in community-based settings. Their work is evaluated across five key areas:

• Person-Centeredness – How does the DSP champion the individuals they support?
• Relationships – How do they foster meaningful connections for those they assist?
• Leadership – Have they demonstrated integrity and mentored peers?
• Innovation – Do they think outside the box to improve lives?
• Independence – How do they encourage self-advocacy and autonomy?

A winner from each program in each grand region of the state will be honored with a certificate, plaque, and a $500 prize at the Tennessee Disability Mega Conference on May 22, 2025, at the Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza.

Nomination Period: March 1 – 31, 2025

Nomination Requirements:

• DSP’s full name and contact information
• Program they are being nominated for (CHOICES or ECF CHOICES)
• Any professional credentials (optional)
• Nominator’s contact information
• A short narrative (300-word limit) explaining how the DSP meets one or more of the award criteria.

Submit your nomination here.

Help us celebrate the dedication of DSPs who go above and beyond to support independent living and inclusion!

35th Annual Traumatic Brain Injury Conference

The 35th Annual Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Conference will be taking place this April. This free, virtual event is open to survivors, families, caregivers, and providers who want to learn more about thriving after brain injury.

This year’s theme is Thriving After Brain Injury: Your Path to Success.

Participants will hear from Fredda Roberts, who will offer a TBI Service Coordinator perspective, and Stacy Spangler, who will discuss returning to work after a brain injury. Carrie Carlson will present on disability etiquette, followed by a panel of speakers available for a question-and-answer session.

To register for the 35th TBI Annual Conference, click here.

To learn more about the Traumatic Brain Injury Program, click here OR call the TBI Hotline at 1.800.882.0611

Celebrate Inclusion at Access Music City Evenings

Join the Frist for Access Music City Evenings, a night of art, connection, and inspiration where inclusion takes center stage! This special event, hosted by the Frist Art Museum in collaboration with Empower Tennessee, the Tennessee Disability Coalition, and Family Voices, invites the community to come together for a night of creativity and camaraderie.

Important Details:

• Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
• Time: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. CT
• Location: Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway Avenue
• Cost: Free (except for purchases at Café Cheeserie)

Paratransit Users: If you are using paratransit, we recommend scheduling your pickup for the 7:00–7:30 p.m. window.

For more details, contact Empower Tennessee at info@empowertn.org or 615-200-6028.

2025 MegaConference Registration Now Open

The Arc Tennessee has announced that guest registration is open for the 2025 MegaConference, happening May 22-23 at Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza.

This year's theme is "Past Reflections, Future Directions." The conference will feature a lineup of keynote speakers across both days. Thursday brings presentations from Dr. Bruce Keisling and the LifeCourse team, while Friday features the Department of Disability and Aging and a special performance by Friends Life Community.

Breakout sessions will cover the LifeCourse Domains, including employment, community living, health, advocacy, and more.