Community is stronger when we support one another. This section spotlights peer support groups, caregiver networks, community-based programs, and organizations that foster belonging, encouragement, and shared experiences. By highlighting opportunities to connect, we aim to strengthen relationships and ensure no one has to navigate their journey alone.
Meet Tennessee Disability Pathfinder’s
2026 Community Ambassadors
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is pleased to introduce its 2026 Community Ambassadors, Elizabeth Johnson of East Tennessee and Susan Bryant of West Tennessee. As trusted community advocates, they will help increase awareness of Pathfinder’s free disability information and referral services while sharing resources and strengthening outreach in their regions.
Elizabeth Johnson will serve as the East Tennessee Pathfinder Ambassador. She brings extensive experience in both public and private education, having worked at multiple educational levels across several states. Elizabeth is also the mother of a child with autism, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges and successes families often experience while navigating disability resources. A recent graduate of Tennessee’s Partners in Policymaking advocacy program, she is passionate about empowering individuals and families through information, advocacy, and community engagement.
Serving as the West Tennessee Pathfinder Ambassador, Susan Bryant has dedicated much of her career to advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She previously served as a Community Resource Specialist with The Arc Tennessee, where she helped connect individuals and families to vital supports and services. Susan is also the mother of three children, including an adult son with Down syndrome, whom she proudly supports as he pursues employment and independent living opportunities.
Susan is a graduate of Tennessee Partners in Policymaking, completed the UTHSC Center for Developmental Disabilities LEND Program, holds a Master of Education from the University of Georgia, and earned a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies from the University of Memphis.
As Community Ambassadors, Elizabeth and Susan will represent Tennessee Disability Pathfinder within their regions by sharing information about available resources, participating in outreach opportunities, and helping connect individuals, families, and professionals to the support they need. Their professional expertise, lived experiences, and commitment to advocacy will help ensure more Tennesseans know where to turn when searching for disability resources.
Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth and Susan as Tennessee Disability Pathfinder’s 2026 Community Ambassadors.
Celebrating Disability Pride through Service and Advocacy
by April Meredith, Information & Referral Coordinator, Pathfinder
As I consider the significance of Disability Pride Month, I find myself reflecting on the honor and meaningful experience I have had serving two consecutive terms as a board member of the Tennessee Disability Coalition. Although my official board member role has ended, I remain personally and professionally committed to supporting its mission.
As a person living with a physical disability, I don’t consider disability pride to be a celebration of my identity. Instead, it is about building communities where every person can participate fully and belong. The Tennessee Disability Coalition exemplifies this mission every day through its advocacy, education, and support for individuals and families throughout Tennessee. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated advocates, passionate board members, and exceptional staff who share a vision of Tennessee where people with disabilities are not simply accommodated, but welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their talents and gifts.
During my six years of service, I was honored to serve as Board Chairperson, a role that deepened my appreciation for the Coalition’s impact and the strength of the disability community. I had the privilege of witnessing and celebrating significant milestones, including the establishment of the Katie Beckett Waiver, which has opened doors for children with disabilities and their families by providing critical supports and services.
I am also proud of the Coalition’s commitment to strengthening the broader nonprofit community. One initiative that was especially meaningful to me was supporting the Coalition’s efforts to “pay it forward” by providing small capacity-building grants to nonprofit organizations. These grants help organizations expand their reach, strengthen their operations, and better serve Tennesseans with disabilities.
Disability Pride Month reminds us that disability is a natural and valuable part of human differences and that people with disabilities deserve not only access and accommodation, but also respect, representation, and opportunities to thrive. Looking back, I am proud of what the Tennessee Disability Coalition has accomplished and even more hopeful about its future. The organization continues to live up to the motto, “nothing about us without us,” by elevating the voices of people with disabilities, advocating for meaningful policy change, and creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, I encourage all of us to recognize the value that disability brings to our communities. Let us celebrate our progress, acknowledge the work that remains, and continue building a future where every person belongs. I am pleased that my colleague, April Meredith, will be formally contributing to this charge as a newly elected board member of the Tennessee Disability Coalition. It is my privilege to hand my “board member baton” to her.
My 3-year term officially and aptly began on the first day of Disability Pride Month. The 2026 theme is: The world works better with us. In honor and celebration, I humbly take hold of Director Megan Hart’s “board member baton” with great purpose and dedication to carry on the great work she has done with the Tennessee Disability Coalition.
The TDC board of directors is composed of representatives from each grand division of the state, and is reflective of the diversity of Tennessee. I am happy to come from a rural area, honored to be another strong-minded woman in leadership, Passionate about expanding my efforts as a self-advocate, and excited to begin serving our community in this capacity.
A primary responsibility of board directors is to participate in major decision-making at board meetings. I am grateful for the opportunity to utilize my accountancy and legal expertise as well as my interest in public policy and systems change to advance the mission of such an effective organization. If the achievements during Megan’s 2 terms of service are any indication, the time and energy I invest as a TDC board member will lead to positive, lasting impact. My goal with the Tennessee Disability Coalition is not only to enhance the lives of disabled people across the state, but also to create a welcoming community for everyone who calls Tennessee their home. After all, the world truly is a better place when we all work together.