October 2025

From Our Chief Strategy Officer

Dear readers,

Can you believe we’re already nearing the end of October? Before the month is truly out, we want to celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month. It’s a great time to mark the progress Tennessee is making toward real work opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In fact, if you haven’t seen it, this graph tells the story with a visual. 

Over the past 12 years, Tennessee has made real strides toward closing the employment gap between people with and without disabilities. Every percent that gap closes means many more people who have found work, a career path, greater independence, a place to contribute and maybe to belong. That is truly a reason to celebrate.

I also want to celebrate a milestone for our Council. Earlier this month, we launched a new class of Partners in Policymaking®. Keep reading for photos and highlights from the weekend!

It’s such a joy for our staff to see a new Partners class come together for the first time. The bonding starts right away as people with IDD and family members hear each other’s stories and recognize their shared passion. They begin their learning with a deep dive into disability history. It’s hard content, but knowing where we came from forms a foundation for the months ahead. Through next April, the class will learn about where we are now with disability policy and services – and how they can help shape what’s next. Congratulations to this new group of Tennessee disability leaders on beginning their journey! And a huge thank you to staff members Blake Shearer, who directs our Partners program, and Dirk Strider, who provides on-site support. A great deal of work goes into making this experience so meaningful for each Partners class.

Keep reading for more info on what’s happening in disability in Tennessee. And reach out to us any time – we love hearing and learning from you.

Happy fall!

Jolene Sharp

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

2025 Expect Employment report released by the DDA

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This is a time to spotlight the value people with disabilities bring to our state’s workforce. 

In honor of NDEAM, we wanted to share the Department of Disability and Aging's 2025 Expect Employment report. This report shows what state agencies and community partners are doing together to grow jobs for people with disabilities and older adults.  

One highlight: According to the report, more than 1,200 people now use Enabling Technology. This is an 80% increase since June 2024. 

Click here to read the 2025 Expect Employment report, and see what employment for those with disabilities currently looks like (and what it could look like!) across Tennessee.

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.

Policy Corner: Council News to Know

Dear readers,

We know federal policy concerns are top of mind for many of you. Specifically, we’ve heard partner agencies and advocates asking questions about two things:

• How will Tennesseans with disabilities and families be impacted by layoffs (“reductions in force”) in special education, civil rights, and vocational rehabilitation divisions at the U.S. Department of Education?
  • Our answer: Right now, we are not aware of any immediate impact to Tennesseans with disabilities and families in terms of available services or current funding levels because of these staff reductions. We’re monitoring the situation closely with state and federal disability partners. The federal Department of Education has not released any information about the changes. We know many are worried about longer-term funding, oversight, and enforcement of special education laws. This is an evolving situation, and we’ll share more when we know more. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) remains federal law.

• How will Tennesseans with disabilities and families be impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown?
  • Our answer: Many benefits for people with disabilities – like Medicaid/TennCare, housing vouchers, and SSI/SSDI – are working like normal with no interruption. However, if the shutdown lasts until November 1, federal money for food stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits will run out unless federal or state government acts. Many Tennesseans with disabilities and their families rely on SNAP to afford food. (In 2024, more than 260,000 SNAP users in TN were people with disabilities and/or elderly.) The Dept. of Human Services, which oversees SNAP benefits in TN, is keeping this webpage updated about whether benefits in November will be available. Right now, state leaders do not plan to fill in gaps from federal money with state dollars.
    • What you can do: Contact your members of Congress and let them know how this may impact you and those you care about. You can also tell your state legislators, since they may influence the use of state emergency funds if the federal government shutdown continues.
    • If you need help: Contact TN Disability Pathfinder’s helpline: 1-800-640-4636. They can help you find food and financial help.

Disability Day on the Hill dates Announced

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.

Community Party

• Tuesday, March 3, 2026
• 5:00–7:00 p.m. Central Time
• Adventure Science Center
• Join for a fun, family-friendly evening to connect with others before DDH. Heavy appetizers will be served. This will be a free event.

Disability Day on the Hill — In Person

• 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.