Independent Living Services
The Independent Living Program provides services to eligible individuals of all ages who are blind or who have a severe visual impairment to enable customers to care for themselves in their homes and communities. Rehabilitation Instructors provide a wide range of independent living services to all eligible individuals in all areas of the state, including those living in rural counties. Instructors provide direct services to individuals on a one-on-one basis and coordinate other services which may be available from other agencies and organizations. All services are customized to meet the individual's needs and may include:
- Guidance and Counseling
- Functional Low Vision Evaluations
- Orientation and Mobility Services
- Instruction in Communication Skills such as braille, use of recording devices, books in alternative formats, etc.
- Instruction in Daily Living Skills
- Leisure Time Activities
- Information and Referral
Tennessee Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired receives special funding to provide independent living services to older individuals who are blind or visually impaired. These services are administered by the agency’s Rehabilitation instructors who coordinate the efforts of Rehab Assistants in working with individuals who are at least 55 years old. The assistants provide direct services to individuals on a one-on-one basis and coordinate services which may be available from other agencies and organizations. All services are provided under the supervision of a Rehabilitation Instructor.
Independent Living Program Blind and Visually Impaired Flyer
Independent Living Program Blind and Visually Impaired Flyer: Spanish
Contact Information:
To refer an individual to the Independent Living Program or to learn more about program services contact: 1-833-772-TDHS (8347)
Centers for Independent Living Services
In addition to Independent Living Services that focus on serving community members who are blind or visually impaired, Tennesseans have access to six (6) Centers for Independent Living across the state. These centers provide five (5) Core Services: Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Counseling, Individual and System Advocacy and Transition. Centers also provide an array of other supports to aid the productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society. Below is a list of centers serving Tennessee.
Memphis Center for Independent Living (MCIL)
The Memphis Center for Independent Living serves Shelby County.
Sandi Klink, Executive Director
1633 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Telephone: (901) 726-6404
Fax: (901) 726-6521
Sandi@mcil.org
Jackson Center for Independent Living (JCIL)
Jackson Center for Independent Living serves 8 counties (Madison, Carroll, Crockett, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, and Haywood).
Beth James, Executive Director
1981 Hollywood Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
Telephone: (731) 668-2211
Fax: (731) 668-0406
beth@jcil.tn.org
TARP Center for Independent Living (TARP)
The TARP Center for Independent Living serves 8 counties (Benton, Dickson, Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Stewart, and Weakley).
Denise Wardle, Executive Director
1027 Mineral Wells Ave., Suite 3
Paris, TN 38242
Telephone: (731) 644-0026 Toll-free (866) 895-8277
Fax: (731) 644-1116
denisew@tarp1.org
EMPOWER TENNESSEE
Empower Tennessee serves 7 counties (Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson).
Brandon Brown, Executive Director
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Telephone: (615) 292-5803 Toll-free (866) 992-4568
info@empowerTN.org
brandonb@empowertn.org
disABILITY Resource Center (dRC)
disABILITY Resource Center serves Knox County.
Lillian Burch, Executive Director
900 E. Hill, Suite 120
Knoxville, TN 37915
Telephone: (865) 637-3666
Fax: (865) 637-5616
lburch@drctn.org
Tri-State Resource and Advocacy Center
Tri-State Resource and Advocacy Center serves 10 counties (Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie).
Mark Woolfall, Executive Director
6925 Shallowford Road, Suite 300
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Telephone: (423) 892-4774 Toll-free (800) 868-8724
Fax: (423) 892-9866
ilctrac@bellsouth.net