Seating & Positioning Clinics

DIDD operates three seating and positioning clinics across the state.  The clinics are staffed with physical and occupational therapists with specialized expertise in evaluating individuals who have complex seating and positioning needs. Each clinic also houses a manufacturing shop with custom design fabricators who have extensive experience in the areas of construction, carpentry, upholstering, and electronics. 

Jessica's Story

For people with intellectual disabilities who also are at risk for or have significant physical disabilities, customized wheelchair seating is often necessary. This may include custom components such as headrests, laptrays, footrests or power controls as well as custom molded seats and backs that fully support and accommodate a person’s body.

Ty's Story

For people with intellectual disabilities who also are at risk for or have significant physical disabilities, customized wheelchair seating is often necessary. This may include custom components such as headrests, laptrays, footrests or power controls as well as custom molded seats and backs that fully support and accommodate a person’s body.

Michael's Story

For years Michael relied on others to move from one place to another and wasn't sure if he would ever be independently mobile. If he wanted to check the mail, join his roommates at the dinner table, or to move a few feet to the living room to watch TV, he had to ask for help from his direct support professional. Now, after training and planning at the DIDD middle Tennessee seating and positioning clinic, Michael is using his new power chair to move wherever he wants, whenever he wants to. Hear from him and DIDD employees in this video to get a look at his journey to mobility independence.

Daren's Story

Darren has been receiving services from DIDD's West Seating and Positioning Clinic for years to improve his comfort, safety, and health in customized wheelchair and seating systems day and night. They've seen a lot of progress since he first came to the clinic but this recent moment is one their family won't soon forget!
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The right postural supports can be transformative for individuals with physical positioning and mobility needs.  It is critical that wheelchairs and seating systems promote comfort and function. When a wheelchair or seating system meets a person’s needs, they can participate in each day without wasting energy on being uncomfortable or attempting to maintain an upright and functional position against gravity. The Seating and Positioning clinics provide people more comfort, function, and independence with individualized wheelchairs, seating systems, and positioning supports  

 For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also are at risk for or have significant physical disabilities, customized wheelchair seating is often necessary. This may include custom components such as headrests, lap-trays, footrests, or power controls as well as custom molded seats and backs that fully support and accommodate a person’s body.

Custom positioning equipment beyond wheelchair seating may also be needed. Therapeutic positioning beyond the wheelchair is used to prevent reflux and aspiration and promote improvement in mobility, skin integrity, respiratory capacity, eating, digestion, and elimination. In addition, when used consistently, throughout the day and during the night, custom positioning can prevent, as well as reverse the progression of asymmetrical posture (e.g. scoliosis, kyphosis, windswept posture, etc.) which can reduce secondary health complications and lead to improved wheelchair seating and function. 

Download our brochure

Custom seating and alternate positioning:

  • Improved mobility and independence
  • Improved posture and trunk stability
  • Improved protection of skin integrity
  • Improved functionImproved comfort
  • Improved respirationImproved digestion
  • Increased relaxation of muscle spasticity leading to improved function
  • Decreased progression of orthopedic deformities
  • Decreased risks associated with gastro esophageal reflux and aspiration
  • Comprehensive evaluation of seating and alternate positioning needs
  • Modifications to resolve issues with current systems
  • Custom manufacturing of molded seating systems
  • Design and manufacturing of alternate positioning equipment
  • Customization of commercial adaptive equipment
  • Power wheelchair assessment, trial and training
  • Integration of augmentative alternative communication (AAC) systems with seating and positioning
  • Continuing education and training
  • Training facility for student health professionals 

Referrals: 

The following forms are required for new referrals to any of the Seating and Positioning Clinics. Please contact the clinic with any questions. Thank you!

Referrals for an evaluation:

Overview of Intake Forms
Consent for Seating and Positioning Services form
New Patient Intake and Medical History form
Seating and Positioning Physician Referral form

Referrals for a repair of equipment fabricated by the Seating and Positioning Clinic:

When a wheelchair needs repairs (frame, headrest, brakes, wheels, etc.), a durable medical equipment (DME) vendor needs to be contacted, since the DME vendor can bill an individual’s insurance for the parts and labor (DIDD cannot bill for parts and labor). For the most part, any DME in the network for the individual’s insurance can be contacted for repairs. If problems are encountered that are difficult to resolve, individuals can contact the clinic for guidance.
When a piece of equipment is delivered through our clinic, we issue a competency form that explains how to help a person into the equipment, how to clean it and who to contact for repairs.  Please review this form and maintain it for reference.
When components of the wheelchair or alternative positioning equipment manufactured by DIDD are in need of repair, the following form should be completed and sent to the clinic.

Repair Referral form

Other Resources:

DIDD Notice of Privacy brochure
The S&P Clinic Complaint Resolution Policy
Authorization For Release of Protected Health Information
Seating & Positioning Clinic - Process Changes
Title VI Complaint Form

Who is eligible?

The Seating and Positioning Clinics specialize in serving Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and others who have complex seating and/or positioning needs.

We take the following insurances:

Medicare, Part B
Medicaid
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee: BlueCare, TennSelect, and CoverKids
Amerigroup
United Health Care/Optum
TriCare, Standard only

Please contact your nearest clinic if you have questions about specific insurance plan coverage.

Benefits:

  • Access to immediate modifications to current seating system at the time of the evaluation to address any health and safety concerns and promote improved function.
  • Custom manufacturing of seating systems to accommodate significant skeletal asymmetries.
  • Custom manufacturing of alternate positioning equipment incorporating custom molds when necessary.
  • Custom modifications to commercial equipment for added support, durability, and improved function.
  • Periodic modification of custom seating systems to accommodate and support improvement in posture accomplished through alternate positioning interventions.  

Order Forms

Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00a to 4:30p (local time).
Please note that we observe all state holidays.

West TN Seating and Positioning Clinic
WTRC.Seating.Positioning@tn.gov​
901-745-7509

Middle TN Seating and Positioning Clinic 
MTRC.Referrals@tn.gov​
615-231-5147

East TN Seating and Positioning Clinic
ETRC.Referrals@tn.gov
423-787-6689
 

Meet the Team

Directions to Regional Clinics

The West Clinic is located at 11437 Oak Crest Drive, Arlington, TN 38002, which is also the address for the DIDD West Regional Office.  

From the Jackson area, take exit 24-25 onto TN-205 toward Arlington from I-40.  Keep right toward Arlington. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto Airline Rd.  At the first red light, turn left on Milton Wilson Dr.  After traveling about a mile, you will see the entrance for the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities campus.  Turn left into the entrance and continue straight.  After you pass the main building, turn right.  There is accessible parking located up a ramp between the B and C parking lot signs, and also in parking lot D, where you can enter the lower level of the clinic through the tunnel. Visitors can park in the gravel lot across from the building, walk up the ramp to the sliding doors and ring the buzzer.

From the Memphis area, take exit 25 (Arlington, Collierville, Millington) from I-40.  At the end of the ramp, turn left on Airline Rd.  At the first red light, turn left on Milton Wilson Rd. After traveling about a mile, you will see the entrance for the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities campus.  Turn left into the entrance and continue straight.  After you pass the main building, turn right.  There is accessible parking located up a ramp between the B and C parking lot signs, and also in parking lot D, where you can enter the lower level of the clinic through the tunnel. Visitors can park in the gravel lot across from the building, walk up the ramp to the sliding doors and ring the buzzer.

The Middle Clinic is located at 301 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, which is also the address for the DIDD Middle Regional Office.  

From Nashville and the west, take exit 219 (Stewarts Ferry Pike) off I-40 and turn left.  Proceed for about a mile, and you will see the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities campus on your right.  Turn right into the entrance and proceed straight up the hill, following the signs for the Assistive Technology Clinic.  After you crest the hill, take a right onto Franklin Way. The clinic will be immediately on your left.  Go through the first parking lot and turn left at the end of the building and you will find accessible parking and the main clinic entrance.

From east of Nashville, take exit 219 (Stewarts Ferry Pike) off I-40 and turn right.  Proceed for about a mile, and you will see the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities campus on your right.  Turn right into the entrance and proceed straight up the hill, following the signs for the Assistive Technology Clinic.  After you crest the hill, take a right onto Franklin Way. The clinic will be immediately on your left.  Go through the first parking lot and turn left at the end of the building and you will find accessible parking and the main clinic entrance.

The East Clinic is located at 4850 East Andrew Johnson Hwy, Afton, TN 37616, which is also the address for the DIDD East Regional Office, on the former Greene Valley campus.  

When mapping this address, it may tell you to turn right from HWY 11E onto Erwin Hwy. Instead, continue straight on 11E until you pass the Walmart on your left. Continue straight through the stoplight at the intersection of HWY11E and 107E. Take the second right after this stoplight which is the main entrance to the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities campus. Continue straight on Main Street to the back of the campus.  Follow Main Street as it makes a left turn and go right at the third stop sign.  The clinic will be immediately on your right. Park and enter at the double doors by the gazebo.

Coming from Johnson City, traveling on West Market Street/US-11E S: From the intersection of North State of Franklin Rd and West Market Street travel 4.8 miles to the intersection in Jonesborough (see McDonald’s on the right). Go through this intersection staying on US-11E S, and travel 17.8 miles and turn left into the campus entrance.  If you get to intersection of US-11E S and East 107 you have gone too far. Continue straight on Main Street to the back of the campus.  Follow Main Street as it makes a left turn and go right at the third stop sign.  The clinic will be immediately on your right. Park and enter at the double doors by the gazebo.