Celebrating Value and Talent: From Getting Hired to Building A Career
Written by Sheena Adams-Avery, CDT, CDP, Communications Manager, Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the contributions people with disabilities make in America’s workplaces and economy. The 2026 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” gives us a chance to look beyond employment as a single milestone and consider the full career journey.
Getting a job matters, but employment does not begin and end with an offer letter. A person may need support identifying career interests, building a resume, preparing for an interview, learning workplace expectations, completing training, arranging transportation, or obtaining technology. Once employed, needs may change. A worker may request an accommodation, learn a new system, take on more responsibility, pursue a promotion, or move into a different field.
The same is true for disability. Some disabilities are apparent and others are not. Some people have lived with a disability for years; others acquire one later in life. A person may know exactly what support works for them, or they may be learning what tools and strategies are helpful in a new job. There is no single employment experience that represents everyone.
Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation can be one part of that journey. For eligible Tennesseans with disabilities, VR services may include counseling and guidance, workplace-readiness or postsecondary training, assistive technology, transportation, personal care assistance, resume and interview preparation, job coaching, and other individualized supports connected to an employment goal. Participants work with VR professionals to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment based on their strengths, abilities, interests, resources, and informed choices.
Workplace accommodations can also support success after a person is hired. An accommodation is not about lowering expectations. It is a change or adjustment that can help a qualified employee perform essential job duties or access the workplace. Depending on the person and the job, that might involve accessible software, modified equipment, a different communication format, schedule adjustments, a quieter work area, or another individualized solution.
For employers, NDEAM can be a useful time to examine whether recruitment, onboarding, training, digital tools, workplace communication, and advancement opportunities are accessible. For job seekers and workers with disabilities, it can be a reminder that resources exist to help navigate questions about employment, accommodations, benefits, technology, and career development.
Celebrating value and talent should not stop when October ends. The goal is a workforce where people have the opportunity to use their skills, build careers, and contribute in ways that are meaningful to them.
Employment Opportunities
Looking for your next opportunity? Here are current openings from across Tennessee, along with employment programs that can help people with disabilities, including people who are blind or have low vision, prepare for, find, and maintain employment. Opportunities are organized by region, with statewide and remote options included as well.
STATEWIDE & REMOTE OPPORTUNITIES
Healthcare Customer Service Representative – Remote — TP
Location: Remote within Tennessee
This customer-support role is open to applicants who live in Tennessee and serves as a primary point of contact for clients in a healthcare setting. Remote work may be especially useful for job seekers who face transportation barriers.
Apply: View job posting
Customer Experience Representative — Superior Plus Propane
Location: Tennessee | Pay: $18.00-$22.50 per hour
A full-time customer experience position focused on supporting customers and resolving service needs. The posting describes a workplace centered on collaboration, respect, and open communication.
Apply: View job posting
Remote Customer Service Representative – SolvOne — SolvOne
Location: Remote / Nashville-based posting | Pay: From $18 per hour
This full-time remote role supports a 24/7 customer service and dispatch operation. It may be worth exploring for applicants who prefer or need a work-from-home option.
Apply: View job posting
EAST TENNESSEE
Inbound Patient Service Representative — Advance Call Center Technologies
Location: Kingsport, TN | Pay: $16.50 per hour
This full-time customer service position involves answering questions, solving problems, providing information, and supporting patients by phone. It is an example of a role where strong communication and computer skills are central to the work.
Apply: View job posting
Office Assistant — Professional Case Management
Location: Oak Ridge, TN | Pay: $36,400-$54,080 per year
A full-time office support opportunity that includes administrative responsibilities while supporting an organization focused on care and services. This may appeal to job seekers interested in clerical or office-based work.
Apply: View job posting
Human Resources Assistant — Tri-City Extrusion Inc.
Location: Bristol, TN | Pay: $22-$24 per hour
This full-time role provides administrative support to the Human Resources department and may be a good fit for applicants with organization, communication, and office-support skills.
Apply: View job posting
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Customer Service Specialist I — Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC
Location: Franklin, TN – Hybrid | Pay: $22 per hour
This full-time hybrid position involves handling a high volume of incoming calls and customer inquiries. A hybrid schedule may offer flexibility while still providing in-person workplace connection.
Apply: View job posting
Executive Administrative Assistant 2 — Tennessee State Government – Department of Environment and Conservation
Location: Nashville, TN | Pay: $68,436-$109,140 per year
This full-time executive-service position provides high-level administrative support. It is a strong example of a professional career-level opportunity available through Tennessee State Government.
Posting listed a closing date of October 22, 2026. Applicants should confirm the position remains open before applying.
Apply: View job posting
Administrative Operations Coordinator — Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, TN | Pay: $47,651.03-$62,839.34 per year
This full-time position provides administrative and operational coordination for Vanderbilt University Divinity School and supports the Dean’s Office and key school functions.
Apply: View job posting
WEST TENNESSEE
Contact Center Representative — FedEx Employees Credit Association
Location: Memphis, TN | Pay: $30,541.01-$41,549.55 per year
A full-time contact-center opportunity in the financial-services industry. The role centers on helping members by phone and may be worth exploring for applicants with customer-service and communication skills.
Apply: View job posting
Administrative Assistant I — DHL
Location: Memphis, TN | Pay: $26.44 per hour
A full-time administrative role with a major logistics employer. The position offers an office-based career path for applicants with administrative, organizational, and computer skills.
Apply: View job posting
Customer Service Representative — Tim Ferguson Plumbing, Air and Electric
Location: Jackson, TN | Pay: $35,000-$55,000 per year
This full-time customer-service role supports customers in a home-services environment and is another example of employment opportunities available outside Tennessee’s larger metro areas.
Apply: View job posting
EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION
Tennessee Business Enterprises (TBE)
Tennessee Business Enterprises is specifically designed for Tennesseans who are legally blind. The program trains, licenses, and places eligible participants to manage vending and food-service facilities. For someone interested in business ownership, management, food service, or entrepreneurship, TBE can provide a direct employment pathway.
Learn more: Tennessee Business Enterprises
Vocational Rehabilitation Services for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Tennessee’s specialized vocational rehabilitation services can help eligible people who are blind or visually impaired prepare for, enter, return to, or maintain employment. Depending on the person’s employment plan, services may include vocational counseling, job training, postsecondary education, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, work adjustment, and job placement.
Learn more: Blind & Visually Impaired Vocational Rehabilitation Services
AbilityOne Employment Opportunities
The AbilityOne Program creates employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities through a nationwide network of nonprofit agencies. Tennessee organizations connected to AbilityOne opportunities include The Arc Knox County, Memphis Goodwill Industries, and Progressive Directions, among others. Job availability varies by organization and contract.
Learn more: AbilityOne Program
Job openings change quickly, so readers should review each posting for current qualifications, deadlines, work arrangements, and application instructions. Job seekers with disabilities may also request reasonable accommodations during the hiring process and on the job. For help finding employment-related resources and supports in Tennessee, contact Tennessee Disability Pathfinder’s Resource Navigation Team at 1-800-640-4636 or visit TNPathfinder.org.
Mentoring & Career Development
Building a career is about more than finding the next job opening. Mentorship, peer connections, leadership development and professional networks can help people build confidence, strengthen skills, explore career goals and learn from others with shared experiences. These opportunities may be especially helpful for people with disabilities who are preparing for employment, considering a career change or looking for ways to grow professionally.
MAPs Peer Mentoring — Statewide
Tennessee’s Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence, or MAPs, program offers peer mentoring services for eligible participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants can connect with trained peers who have lived experience and can provide support related to employment, independence and community life.
Peer mentors are paid for their work, making this both a mentorship and employment-development opportunity.
Learn more: Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging – MAPs Peer Mentoring Services
National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee — Statewide
The National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee provides opportunities for people who are blind to connect with peers, develop leadership skills, exchange employment information and become involved in advocacy and community activities.
Chapters are available in different areas of Tennessee, and an At-Large Chapter provides another way to participate for people who may not have a local chapter or who prefer a remote option.
Good for: Peer mentoring, professional networking, leadership development and connections with other blind Tennesseans.
Learn more: National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee
Tennessee Council of the Blind — Statewide
The Tennessee Council of the Blind connects people who are blind or have low vision through local chapters, peer support and statewide activities. Chapters and groups are available in several areas, including Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville and Crossville.
The organization also offers a virtual Visually Impaired Peer Support Group, providing another option for people who may have transportation or geographic barriers.
Good for: Peer connections, support, leadership development, information sharing and networking with others who are blind or have low vision.
Learn more: Tennessee Council of the Blind
American Council of the Blind INSPIRE Mentoring Program — Future Opportunity
The American Council of the Blind’s INSPIRE Mentoring Program is designed to help members of the blindness community build leadership skills through structured mentoring relationships.
Participants are matched as Guides/Mentors and Explorers/Mentees for leadership development, goal setting and professional growth.
The 2026–27 cohort is already underway, but this is an opportunity worth watching for the next application cycle.
Good for: Leadership development, professional mentoring and networking within the blindness community.
Learn more: American Council of the Blind INSPIRE Mentoring Program
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering can be another way to gain experience, strengthen a résumé, practice workplace skills and build professional connections while giving back to the community. Volunteer experience can be especially valuable for someone entering the workforce, returning after time away or exploring a new career field.
Big Brothers Big Sisters — Multiple Tennessee Regions
Adults can volunteer as mentors to children and young people through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs across Tennessee.
Opportunities are available through agencies serving communities including Memphis, Clarksville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Kingsport. Depending on the program, volunteers may spend approximately four to six hours per month building a consistent mentoring relationship with a young person.
Skills you can build: Communication, leadership, relationship building, problem solving and mentoring.
Learn more: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tennessee
Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation — Franklin
The Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation has opportunities for volunteers to assist with administrative and operations support.
Volunteer activities may include basic computer tasks, organizing supplies, helping prepare materials and assisting with event-related projects. Opportunities like this can provide practical experience in a nonprofit office environment.
Skills you can build: Administrative support, organization, teamwork, basic office technology and event preparation.
Location: Franklin, Tennessee
Learn more: Hands On Nashville / United Way of Greater Nashville volunteer opportunities
Nashville Adult Literacy Council — Virtual Literacy Tutor
Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with adult learners to help strengthen reading and literacy skills. Virtual opportunities make this one accessible to people who may not be able to travel regularly to a volunteer site.
Training, curriculum materials and ongoing support are provided.
Volunteers generally commit approximately two to four hours each week for at least three months.
Skills you can build: Communication, teaching, coaching, technology, documentation and interpersonal skills.
Location: Virtual
Learn more: Nashville Adult Literacy Council – Virtual Literacy Tutor Opportunity
A Note About Accessibility
People with disabilities can volunteer, mentor and participate in professional-development opportunities just as they can in paid employment. If you are interested in an opportunity and need an accommodation, contact the organization directly to discuss what you need to participate.