As part of a Disability Public Policy team, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities educates policymakers about the impact of potential legislation or policies. These efforts are coordinated in collaboration with agency partners that include Tennessee Disability Coalition, Disability Rights Tennessee, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and The Arc Tennessee. As a… Read more Disability Public Policy Team – What state legislation is on your radar?
Category: February 2021
Advocating for Systems Change
An important result of advocacy for public policy is to change the systems that cause problems in our society for people with disabilities. The disability public policy team, along with numerous other organizations, plays a key role in making that happen in Tennessee, we asked them how they advocate for individuals with disabilities on an… Read more Advocating for Systems Change
Advocacy for Immigrants
The circumstances for people to immigrate (internationally) or migrate (domestically) can be various, including employment, studying abroad, persecution, survival, or simply seeking other options. The global and political crisis makes it harder for many people to stay in their native country. The international processes and acceptance for legal status in a country of destination often… Read more Advocacy for Immigrants
Kindred Stories Spotlighting Direct Support Professionals
The 2021 edition of Kindred Stories of Disabilities focuses on the experiences of direct support professionals (DSP). Across the country, there are approximately 1.4 million individuals who require services from DSPs to live full, meaningful lives in their communities. And unfortunately, the DSP workforce is in crisis. There are high turnover and vacancy rates, issues with tenure,… Read more Kindred Stories Spotlighting Direct Support Professionals
Call Pathfinder: Building Self-Advocacy & Social Skills Through Virtual Activities
Caller: Hi, I am a therapist and I have been thinking several of my clients who have disabilities could benefit from some self-advocacy opportunities and more connections with their peers. They vary in ages from teens to adults as well as diagnoses, so it’s difficult to determine various options for them. Do you have any… Read more Call Pathfinder: Building Self-Advocacy & Social Skills Through Virtual Activities
Advocacy Events
February 25: How to Advocate in the Time of COVID-19 March 2: Educate to Advocate 2021: Virtual Public Policy Workshop March 11: Disability Day on the Hill: Virtual Town Hall with Legislative Leadership April 19-21: Disability Policy Seminar
Webinar: Navigating the Path to Special Education Support
Thursday, March 4th | 11:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. CT Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Tennessee Division of Special Populations STEP, Inc. The Arc Tennessee Family Engagement Program Transition Tennessee Register Here