Improving Policy & Practice
We track what’s happening in Tennessee government that affects people with disabilities. Then we explain it in plain language and share it with people who need to know.
This Year
44 policy proposals tracked (goal: 10)
14 newsletters sent (goal: 12)
93% of people with disabilities said our policy information increased their understanding
Real Impact: Protecting Students’ Communication Devices
One success we had involved helping to improve a new law about cellphones in schools. Council members Chrissy Hood and Courtney Johnson worked with lawmakers to make sure the law included protections for students with disabilities who use devices to communicate. Because of their work, students who use technology to “talk” won’t have their devices taken away.
Lifting Up Lived Experiences
We make sure that people with disabilities and families are at the center of policy conversations.
31 Council Members + Partners Grads active on policy issues
141 Tennesseans responded
100% of Council members and Partners graduates said they felt empowered to give input on policy issues
How We Help
- Connect: Some people who contacted us had simple questions about services, so we connected them with Tennessee Disability Pathfinder or other organizations that could help.
- Untangle: Some people were stuck and couldn’t get problems with services resolved on their own. We dug into these issues with them, helping to get their issues resolved.
- Fix the Root Cause: When we saw the same problems coming up again and again, we brought that to policymakers so fewer people have problems in the future.
Real Impact: Improving Medicaid Applications
→ Problem: Applications for Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports couldn’t show an emergency unless a caregiver had died.
→ What We Did: Our Council chair brought the situation to Council staff, and we brought it to TennCare.
→ The Change: The form was updated so families could flag urgent situations more clearly.
Driving Systems Change
The Council doesn’t work alone. We work closely with state agencies, legislators, and advocacy groups on projects that affect people with disabilities.
This year, the Council worked with many different partners to:
Inclusive Housing Vision
Build a shared plan for affordable, accessible housing where people with disabilities can live in the community.
Special Education and State Custody
Improve cross-agency coordination so students with disabilities, including those in state custody, get consistent supports.
Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement
Learn how the justice system affects people with disabilities and families, and use that to drive safer practices.
Behavioral Health and Crisis Supports
Improve crisis response and behavioral health supports so people with disabilities stay safe and supported at any age.
First Responders & Safety Alerts
Coordinate disability training and safety alert tools so people get the right help in emergencies.
Real Impact: Emergency Preparedness Work
Our work with the Department of Health and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) on emergency preparedness helped us share important information during Hurricane Helene recovery. We got the right information to leaders and shelters when people needed it most.
We shared best practices and stories from real Tennessee families and people with disabilities. This helped these groups create better materials about what people need to know in emergencies. We worked together with these groups to offer training on emergency preparedness at a statewide disability conference.
“The conversations that we have had with the Council on Developmental Disabilities made me rethink how I approach documents and resources we create for communities. It’s about relationships and getting the right people in the room to help you create resources that truly are accessible.” — Department of Health Partner