June 2026
From Our Chief Strategy Officer
Dear readers,
Last month, I invited you to join me in slowing down this summer. Have you felt it? As temperatures warm, the buzz of honeybees on summer flowers and the sight of butterflies floating by invite us to stop, to wonder, to breathe a little more deeply. I hope you’ve been able to find those moments of rest amidst your everyday responsibilities.
I also invited you to share through this survey the ways you find joy in your disability experiences. As promised, I will highlight responses here in my opening note.
I know that calling out joy doesn’t change the hardships many of us face. But perhaps it can help us hold on to hope, which is necessary to the work for change. That is my wish as you read these beautiful responses from members of our disability community.
As a Mom, the first leg of the race is filled with doctor's appointments, testing, school, IEPs, and so much more. Now as the mom of a young adult, we experience even more with our children as they discover who they are as adults. My son loves photography, organizing himself with his own schedules and checklists for work, volunteering at the public library weekly, and working puzzles. We discovered a common love of puzzles and spend several evenings weekly perusing solutions and connecting our lives by a common goal. Our conversations have expanded and blossomed. This season of life is enchanting!
Cathie Welch · autism mom, co-founder of Lighthouse Kids Centers for Autism
My joy in the disability experience comes from keeping my kids at the center of it all. First and foremost, they are my children and I love them dearly. Even on the hard days, they bring me joy. Also, working with my Family Voices colleagues, the families we serve, and working with other wonderful colleagues in the disability world.
Tonya Bowman · parent and lead trainer / statewide family resource specialist, Family Voices of Tennessee
Did that bring a smile to your face like it did to mine? Thank you to Cathie and Tonya for that gift.
There is time: share your thoughts on how you find joy in your disability experiences! (You don’t have to share your name unless you want to.) And keep reading for opportunities to learn, connect – and maybe to find a new spark of joy – in the weeks ahead.
With gratitude,
- Jolene Sharp, Chief Strategy Officer
Upcoming Opportunities
Kindred Stories of Disability
Do you have a story about safety, police, or the justice system? We want to hear from you.
A project called Kindred Stories of Disabilities is collecting stories from people with IDD and their families. Your story can help leaders make things better. The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and The Arc Tennessee team up for the Kindred Stories project each year. This year, our Council is partnering with the Kindred Stories team to gather these stories. Issues of safety and criminal justice are a top priority for our agency.
What we want to hear about:
- A loved one who wandered off or went missing, and how first responders helped
- Times when police or school officers got involved during a hard moment
- Traffic stops or car accidents when someone had a disability
- Trouble getting help when calling 911
- Times when a person with IDD was arrested, charged, or taken to jail
What is involved if you choose to take part:
- A one hour Zoom call with a Vanderbilt student
- You can stay anonymous if you’d like.
- You’ll get the questions ahead of time.
- If you would like, you can have a photo taken to include in the story. This is optional. (Photographers with disabilities from AbleVoices take the photos.)
Want to share your story? Fill out the form at redcap.link/qjr2z43k, or email courtney.taylor@vumc.org with "Kindred Stories" as the subject.
Sign-Ups for the 2026 Tennessee Disability MegaConference
Sign-ups are open for this year's MegaConference, and we can't wait to see you there!
Each August, the disability community comes together for Tennessee's longest-running conference of its kind. It's a great chance to learn, connect, and meet others who care about the same things you do. This year's conference will be held at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.
How you can take part:
- To attend as a regular attendee, you can get your tickets here.
- Become a sponsor. Sponsors help make this event possible and get to share their name with the whole community.
- Show off your work. More than 300 people will attend, and they'd love to learn about your organization.
Our Council will be attending this August, and we'd love to see you there, too!
Get to Know a Leader: Suzanne Carr
Suzanne Carr is the new Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) at the Tennessee Department of Human Services. She leads a team that helps people with disabilities find good, steady jobs and live more independent lives.
Before stepping into this role, Suzanne spent more than eight years at the TN Department of Human Services, including as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Commissioner. Earlier in her career, she was an attorney handling family and criminal law. She earned her psychology degree and her law degree from the University of Tennessee. (To which she adds: Go Vols!)
What are you most excited about in this new role?
One of the things I'm most excited about in this new role is being on the Department's customer-facing side and having the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of the individuals we serve. I believe meaningful work happens when we focus on people first, and I look forward to supporting both our staff and our customers as they navigate their employment journeys.
Knowing that our work can help someone gain confidence, achieve financial independence, and build the future they envision for themselves is incredibly motivating.
What's one of the biggest lessons you've learned from TN's disability community?
In college, I got to be a counselor for Camp Koininia, a camp for children with disabilities. My camper, who I'll call S, gave the most meaningful advice and it has stuck with me for years. She said, “I just want to be seen for my abilities and not what I can't do. That's what I want people to see when they see me.” I have kept those words in my mind…our customers are capable and just need the support of people who believe in their abilities.
If you could wave a magic wand, what would you change?
I would love to wave a magic wand and have all business and industry in Tennessee know about VR services and how our customers can be an asset to their companies. I would love to see businesses view disability inclusion not just as the right thing to do, but as a competitive advantage that strengthens their workforce and culture.
What do you enjoy in your free time?
In my free time, I love spending quality time with family and friends, whether that's hosting a dinner, catching up over coffee, or simply enjoying time together. I'm also an avid reader and enjoy getting lost in a good book. Traveling is one of my biggest passions, especially exploring new destinations and experiencing different cultures.
One thing that brings many of my interests together is planning. I really enjoy organizing events, from book club dinners to girls' trips. I love researching places to go, finding fun things to do, and planning trips that create lasting memories.
Want to learn more?
Find VR services online at tn.gov/humanservices, or email Suzanne directly at Suzanne.carr@tn.gov.
Policy Corner: Council News to Know
Speaking of joy…
Congratulations to Emma Garton, Director of Public Policy, on the arrival of Jesse Theodore! We’re thrilled for Emma, TJ, and big sister Bonnie.
As Emma focuses on settling in with her new little one, we’re enjoying another intern takeover of the policy corner! Please join us in welcoming our new public policy intern, who will be hosting this corner of the newsletter for the next few months.
Dear readers,
My name is Keith Dear, and I am excited to serve as the Policy Intern with the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities this summer. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in education policy at Vanderbilt University. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the Council's dedicated staff and members while contributing to work that supports people with disabilities across Tennessee.
My interest in disability policy began in childhood as I navigated school alongside family members with disabilities who received special education services.
Witnessing the barriers they encountered, and the advocacy required to ensure they received appropriate supports, gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges many people with disabilities and their families face. Those experiences sparked my passion for improving opportunities and outcomes through education, advocacy, and public policy.
That passion continued to grow during my undergraduate studies at Texas State University. I sought opportunities to advocate for people with disabilities through community engagement and my work with DisabilitySA in San Antonio. I later served as a special education paraprofessional in an elementary school. I witnessed the profound impact that dedicated educators, strong family partnerships, and individualized supports can have on a student's success. These experiences further strengthened my commitment to advancing policies that promote inclusion, accessibility, and opportunity for all.
This internship represents an important step in my academic and professional journey. I look forward to learning more about disability policy, advocacy, and the legislative process while contributing to the Council's mission. I am excited to share what I learn through future editions of the Policy Corner and to continue growing as an advocate for people with disabilities and their families.
- Keith Dear, Policy Intern
Community Events & Training
Registration Open: 2026 Adult Autism Symposium
Saturday, July 25, 2026, Chattanooga State Community College
Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Southeast Adult Autism Symposium, hosted by GCA Centre for Adult Autism.
Every session focuses on topics that matter to autistic adults. It's a welcoming space to learn about the autism community, find new resources, and connect with others. People who are on an autism assessment waitlist, and those who see themselves as neurodivergent, are all encouraged to come. This event is for everyone!
Welcome Reception (Friday, July 24): Join GCA from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at First Centenary United Methodist Church's "The Vine," 419 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Stop by for light snacks and a chance to meet other autistic adults before the symposium. This reception is open to everyone, even if you didn't register for the symposium.
Questions? Contact GCA at 423-531-6961 ex. 7 or email nathan.zimmerman@chattanoogaautismcenter.org.
Two Research Studies That Need Your Voice
Parenting, Patience, and Disability (Baylor University)
Do you have a child with disabilities between the ages of 11 and 17? Baylor University wants to hear from you. They are doing a new study about patience. It looks at how parents feel and stay patient while raising children with autism, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. What you share will help them build tools to support families as their children grow up.
Parents in the study take one online survey each spring for four years. Each survey takes about 45 minutes. It asks about your life as a parent. You will be paid for your time. They are still signing up parents now.
Want to join? Fill out this short interest form. Have questions? Email patience_disability@baylor.edu or call 254-710-3103.
Finding Services (PATHIDD Project)
This study wants to hear from family members who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are collecting stories about finding services and dealing with wait times.
You would talk with a researcher on Zoom or by phone for 60 to 90 minutes. You will get a $50 gift card as a thank you.
To take part, email the team at clichtenfels@air.org.