November 2025

Dear readers,

In this week of gratitude, I want to talk about one big thing I am thankful for: the work of this Council.

I know, I know. It sounds like the sort of thing I HAVE to say. Hear me out, and I think you’ll see why I really mean it.

This little agency in state government works so hard – often behind the scenes – to chip away at gaps and barriers that affect the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Much of the problem-solving we do never gets publicized. We serve as a bridge, connecting people facing problems to leaders on the inside who can help solve those problems. Sometimes, we work with someone facing enormous barriers through months of complex issues, involving dozens of staff across multiple agencies. The results can be life-changing for the person with a disability.

But we don’t stop with the individual. We share everything we’re learning about service systems with leaders who can help those systems work better. We partner in the work for solutions. Most people in state government want to help. There are often complex reasons for barriers. It takes persistent work to improve large programs and systems. We are thankful for the dedicated folks at other agencies all across state government who are in that work with us.

That steady persistence and partnership toward change is less glamorous than big change that generates headlines. Make no mistake: both are important. But we find that most often, our agency is uniquely able to chip away quietly – bringing people and systems together to find a way forward.

I am so grateful to be part of a team that shows up every day for this work. But our team could do none of this without you. You share your experiences and stories with us. You use your voices to advocate for systems that work for people with disabilities. You find in your own struggle the fire for change. You are fueled by hope for a future that is better for those coming behind. It humbles me.

So, thank you, to each of you. Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Jolene Sharp

We Want to Hear Your Safety Stories

Many people with disabilities and their families have been through situations involving law enforcement, the criminal justice system, or juvenile justice programs. What happened to you matters. Being told about these real experiences helps the Council understand what's actually going on in our communities and figure out where things need to change.

We understand this isn't easy to talk about. Sharing is completely up to you, and you can stay anonymous if you want. Or, if you're interested in getting involved down the road (like joining a panel or helping train officers), you can include your name.

Why your stories matter

When you share your lived experiences, it helps us:

• See where the system has gaps, especially when it comes to safety and crisis responses
• Bring community voices and perspectives into conversations with state and local partners
• Connect law enforcement with people who want to share lived expertise
• Shape policies and programs that make communities safer and more inclusive.

How to share

If you fill out this online form, you can choose to share anonymously, or you can choose to include your contact information.  If we have your contact information , we may reach out later with more chances to share your story.

You're in control of what you share and how it gets used. We won't publish or pass along your story without asking you first. Our goal as the Council is to listen, learn, and help make things better with your input.

Call for Artists

We’re highlighting the creative work of disabled artists across Tennessee again in our annual arts issue of Breaking Ground next year. Check out this years issue here.

Who can submit:

• Tennessee residents with disabilities
• Those with loved ones with disabilities may help with submitting art, but must not be responsible for the creation of the art
• Work must be created by a human artist. Works that are entirely or majorly generated by AI are not eligible.

What to submit:

• Writing (poetry, essays, short stories) - up to
• Visual art - up to 3 pieces (any medium)
• Photography; crafts/other media
• Performance – photos or link to short video (theatre, music, dance)

Need an accommodation or another way to submit? Contact jolene.sharp@tn.gov

Educate to Advocate

Learn how to speak up for better disability services

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and Tennessee Disability Pathfinder are hosting a free, virtual workshop on how to share your story and ideas with lawmakers and other leaders.

The event is co-hosted by Courtney Taylor of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and Megan Hart of Tennessee Disability Pathfinder. Emma Shouse Garton, Lillie Heigl, and Chloe Rothchild will all present different parts of what disability policy is, and what you can do to get involved.

When:

• Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Central Time

What You'll Learn:

• How disability policy works in Tennessee
• How disability policy works at the federal level
• Why your voice matters when talking to lawmakers

Everyone is welcome. Whether you are a student, teacher, health care worker, person with a disability, family member, or just someone who cares – you can learn how to make a difference.

Educate to Advocate will stream live on Zoom. If you have a disability policy question, you will be able to ask it during the workshop.

Participants must register to get the Zoom link. Click Here to Register for the Educate to Advocate workshop.

Emma’s Policy Corner

Dear readers,

If you’re interested in public policy, it’s important to pay attention not only to laws, but also to what programs governments choose to fund with our tax dollars. You learn those details by observing the budget process.

In Tennessee, state agencies present their budget proposals for the next fiscal year (July 1-June 30) to the Governor and his team in November. 

I’ve highlighted some key items I thought you would find interesting below. (You can find the whole list of recordings here, if you’re interested! Each one lasts about half an hour. Every agency’s hearing page also includes a slide deck where they highlight key outcomes to share with the Governor, along with their funding requests.)

• Department of Disability and Aging recording and DDA slide deck (PDF)
  • $26 million recurring funds for 2,000 more Katie Beckett Part B slots (technically funded through TennCare state and federal dollars)
  • $10 million non-recurring funds for competitive grants for accessibility improvement projects, including for senior centers, home and vehicle modifications, parks and community centers, etc.
  • $4 million non-recurring funds for disability-forward housing initiatives to increase accessible and inclusive housing units, including funds for THDA (TN Housing and Development Agency). Funds will support public/private housing partnerships for Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a pilot housing project.
  • $500,000 recurring funds toward DDA’s new academic behavioral specialist program through Trevecca University to teach educators trauma-informed classroom strategies that support all students, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This effort, in partnership with the TN Dept. of Education, would introduce the program currently being developed by Trevecca to other universities in the state, at no cost to teachers.
• TennCare recording and TennCare slide deck (PDF)
  • $32 million (state and federal dollars combined) for 300 new crisis slots in the Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES program

After state agencies present their proposals, the Governor’s team drafts a budget that includes the Governor’s top priorities. This will include the state agency requests that he agreed were important enough to fund. We normally see the draft budget in early February, after the governor gives his “State of the State” speech to legislators. So, remember the items above are requests from agencies to the Governor to include in HIS budget request. TN’s legislators then must vote on and pass the state budget before they adjourn in April.

If there are state budget or funding issues that important to you, Disability Day on the Hill is the perfect opportunity to tell lawmakers. Mark your calendars and join us!

- Emma Garton, Policy Director

Then and Now: The History of Minority Communities in Nashville

The History of Disabilities In Our Community: Living with Physical Disabilities

You’re invited to join Vanderbilt University and partners this December to learn more about how disability intersects with race and community in Nashville.

When: Wednesday, December 3

• 5:30 p.m. Catered Reception
• 6:30 p.m. Program

Where: MLK Jr. Magnet Highschool Auditorium

• 613 17th Ave. N., Nashville TN

Who you'll hear from:

• André L. Churchwell
  • Senior Advisor to the Chancellor on Inclusion & Community Outreach at Vanderbilt
• Megan Hart
  • Director of Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
• Wanda Willis
  • Former Executive Director, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities
  • Our own Jolene Sharp will be participating with Wanda Willis during her portion of the program.
• Community members will share their stories of living with physical disabilities.

RSVP:

Click here to RSVP by December 1 or click here to open the flyer and scan the QR code.

If you need accommodations, call 615-862-5856. Please share this with people you know so more can attend!

Disability Day on the Hill Revised Dates

Make sure to mark your calendars and save the date!

Disability Day on the Hill (DDH) is when our state’s disability community comes together to share stories, support one another, and talk with lawmakers about what matters most. As long-time sponsors of Disability Day on the Hill, we hope you’ll join us.

New Date: Community Party

• Tuesday, February 24, 2026
• 5PM to 7PM Central Time
• Adventure Science Center
  • 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203

The night before Disability Day on the Hill, we will be gathering at the Adventure Science Center for a community party! You can bring your family – all are welcome. There will be appetizers and there's no cost to attend.

New Date: Disability Day on the Hill — In Person 

• Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• 9AM to 2PM Central Time
• Cordell Hull Legislative Offices
  • 425 Rep. John Lewis Way N, Nashville, TN 37243

Meet us at the Cordell Hull Building in downtown Nashville to make your voice heard. Boxed lunches will be available.

Disability Advocacy Day — Virtual

• Wednesday, March 11, 2026
• All day, Statewide

You can celebrate DDH from anywhere in Tennessee! For the sixth year, landmarks across the state will shine Coalition Blue to honor disability advocates.

How to participate:

• We will share the RSVP link as soon as we can.
• Please look for event details and registration at the start of next year.
• All events are free, and food will be provided at the two in-person events.

Leadership Series: Kevin Wright

Assistant Commissioner for Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Human Services

Kevin Wright leads Tennessee’s Division of Rehabilitation Services, where he works to make sure people with disabilities can find meaningful jobs and live more independently.

With more than 30 years in the field, Kevin has helped improve programs across the state, including expanding access to technology and services that help people help themselves. He brings lived experience as a person with a disability.

Q: Looking back on your time in Tennessee's disability community, what stands out as the single most important milestone you witnessed or helped create?

Kevin: While I have witnessed or been a part of many milestones that have made significant impacts on the ability for Tennesseans and their families navigating life with a disability, the one I am most proud of is bringing life back to the largely dormant Tennessee Technology Access Project (TTAP) near the beginning of my career.

When I had the honor of serving as its executive director, it gave me an opportunity to focus on two things that I enjoy: technology and helping people help themselves.

Q: What lessons from that experience should today's advocates keep in mind as we move forward?

Kevin: First, even the tiniest spark of potential can, when recognized, nurtured, and cultivated turn into a flaming success. Those sparks are often the most overlooked yet most impactful. So, don't overlook those sparks that are right in front of you for fear of failure.

Second, with the right tools, drive, support, and attitude, the limits of one's abilities are largely perceived and not reality.

Q: Fast-forward 20 years: if everything went exactly the way you hope, what would disability services and inclusion in Tennessee look like?

Kevin: If everything worked in a way that I envision, disability services would not be something we even have to mention. Everyone needs services of some type every day to navigate our world. It just so happens that some need different or more personalized services because of their uniqueness as humans.

That futuristic world would focus on supporting everyone in a way that allows them to do what they want, where they want, and how they want, without labels or reservations.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to the next generation of leaders in our field, what would it be?

Kevin: Focus on what is possible, not the perception of what is not.

You'll be able to read Kevin's full interview later this year. Click here to be notified when new interviews go live. 

TennCare Update

TennCare has a new dental partner, Renaissance. Renaissance now manages all TennCare dental benefits.

This change is meant to make it easier for members across Tennessee, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), to get quality dental care.

What does this mean for you?

• Renaissance will assign you a dentist and mail you a letter with the new dentist’s name and contact information.
• They’ll try to keep your current dentist. Your dentist may change if your current dentist is not in the Renaissance network or if there’s a closer option.
• You can change dentists any time using the Find a Dentist tool on the Renaissance website.
• Bring your TennCare health plan card (BlueCare, Wellpoint, UnitedHealthcare, or TennCare Select) to your dental visit.

Support for people with I/DD

Renaissance is also building a network of dentists who are trained to support people with I/DD. They work closely with families, providers, and your health plan so your dental care fits into your Person-Centered Support Plan (PCSP).

A dedicated I/DD care coordinator can help you:

• Find a different dentist or a specialist
• Review treatment plans
• Schedule services

Questions about TennCare dental benefits?

Call Renaissance at 1-866-864-2526. They can walk you through your options and help you get the care you need.