A Message from our West Tennessee Services Coordinator – March 2025

Posted on by Ace Brooks
digital graphic for Tennessee Disability Pathfinder features a dark blue geometric background. In the top left corner, a gold-rimmed compass icon appears next to the organization's name in bold white text. Below, the centered text reads, "A message from our West TN Services Coordinator." The name "Ace Brooks" is displayed in bold white font, followed by the title "West Tennessee Services Coordinator" in smaller text. On the right, a circular frame contains a professional headshot of Ace Brooks, a Black man with glasses, a beard, and long dreadlocks, wearing a two-toned blue button-up shirt against a blue geometric-patterned background.

Dear Readers, Welcome to the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder newsletter, The Compass! This month, as we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we embrace our theme: “We’re Here All Year!” At Pathfinder, our mission is to be a constant, reliable source of guidance and support for individuals with disabilities, and their families—every day, in every season. As… Read more A Message from our West Tennessee Services Coordinator – March 2025

We’re Here All Year: Revolutionary Live Support Now Available

Posted on by Sheena Adams-Avery, CDT, CDP
digital graphic for Tennessee Disability Pathfinder. The image features a professional office setting where a young Black man in a gray suit is seated at a desk, working on a computer. His screen displays the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder website, which includes a banner image of two children in bicycle helmets, a "Start Your Journey" button, and a row of profile pictures. A magnified circular callout highlights the website's chat feature with an orange speech bubble icon. The background of the graphic is deep green with geometric patterns. The Tennessee Disability Pathfinder logo, featuring a gold compass, is positioned in the top left corner. The phrase "We’re Here All Year!" appears in white text in the top right corner. At the bottom right, a white rounded box displays the website URL: "TNPathfinder.org."

At Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, our commitment to serving our community never takes a break —because we understand that support is needed every day of the year.  In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this March, we’re excited to share some groundbreaking news: our trusted helpline now has a new, innovative live chat feature on TNPathfinder.org!… Read more We’re Here All Year: Revolutionary Live Support Now Available

Here All Year: Empowering Individuals with I/DD Through Support and Opportunity

Posted on by Linda Brown
texture gray background image with two photos with bar codes set on the bottom left of the white borders surrounding each photo. Both photos are of a brown skin man with short hair. in the image to the left he's waring a gray tee shirt and dark blue shorts with a guitar strapped to his back. In the photo to the right he's wearing a black hooded short sleeve shirt and dark colored pants standing in front of a table with Pathfinder's logo. Both photos are laying on top of a silver ribbon.

The world of developmental disabilities is vast, filled with millions of individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Over the decades, we’ve seen significant progress as people with I/DD have moved from institutional settings to living in their own homes, smaller group environments, or family models. Today, individuals with I/DD are being given opportunities… Read more Here All Year: Empowering Individuals with I/DD Through Support and Opportunity

Early Intervention Matters: Empowering Caregivers to Seek Help Throughout the Year

Posted on by Mimi Sanders

Child development is a vital component of caregiving. Caregivers are constantly making sure the child is meeting various milestones and growing in all areas of life. What happens when a caregiver has questions about specific developmental stages and possible concerns the child may not be meeting the developmental stages? March is Developmental Delay Awareness month,… Read more Early Intervention Matters: Empowering Caregivers to Seek Help Throughout the Year

Spotlight March 2025: A New Year, A New Look – Same Access to Resources for Developmental Disabilities

Posted on by Sheena Adams-Avery, CDT, CDP
A green, geometric background with a stylized golden compass in the center. A subtle spotlight effect highlights the center area, The design is clean and modern, evoking a sense of guidance and focus. Text on the image, SPOTLIGHT A NEW YEAR A NEW LOOK SAME ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES." The TN Department of Disability and Aging's logo is at the bottom of the image.

As we navigate through the early months of the new year, the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging unveils a refreshed look while maintaining its steadfast commitment to serving individuals with developmental disabilities and aging needs. With a newly designed website and enhanced accessibility features, the department continues to be a vital resource for Tennesseans… Read more Spotlight March 2025: A New Year, A New Look – Same Access to Resources for Developmental Disabilities

In the Know: Expanding Accessible Housing Opportunities in the Southeast

Posted on by From the News Desk of TN Fair Housing Council
An image with a solid dark blue background. At the top, there is a pale yellow box containing Pathfinder's branded graphic, a yellow compass with a multi-colored ring on the inner circle. Below that, in large white text, it says 'In the Know', followed by smaller text underneath that reads 'Ground breaking information that affects the disability community'. On the right of the image is Tennessee Fair Housing Council logo with text below "Expansion of Accessible Housing Opportunities for Residents with Disabilities to Over 5,300 Apartments in the South." On the bottom right of the image on a green color block is "TNPathfinder.org."

The Tennessee Fair Housing Council (TFHC) and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) have reached an agreement with Gross Residential Properties to increase accessible rental housing across Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This marks a significant step forward in ensuring individuals with disabilities have more inclusive housing options. “People with disabilities in Middle… Read more In the Know: Expanding Accessible Housing Opportunities in the Southeast

ConnectAbility – March 2025

Posted on by Pathfinder
colorful cartoon graphic image with different people of different abilities, colors, etc. surrounding a globe with text "ConnectAbility." Quote bubbles around the image near the people figures say "Support, Access, Empower, Language, Educate, Engage." On the top left of the image in a blue circle is the disability symbol. On the top right of the image is Pathfinder's logo. And text on the top center of the image says, "RESOURCES."

Navigating resources can be difficult, but differences in abilities, culture, and language can make it even more challenging. By bridging these differences, we aim to emphasize the connection to the necessary resources and support. We’re highlighting programs and sharing resources that address these challenges, fostering greater opportunities to utilize disability resources and creating stronger connections… Read more ConnectAbility – March 2025