Self-Advocacy is as easy as 1,2,3…4,5,6

Posted on by Lee Sherwood
Chalkboard background image with math symbols on the board. On the right of the image is a young lady sitting in a wheelchair wearing black and white striped overalls and a long sleeve red shirt. She is holding her right hand up and it is touching a green color block text box on her left that says "Self-Advocacy." A smaller green color block text box below says "1,2,3...4,5,6."

Empowerment begins with a voice, your voice. Start by thinking of the disability community as a vibrant quilt. Each service provider, resource, community member, and ally serves as a vital thread, connecting the patches of every self-advocate. This dynamic quilt unfolds to reveal a Tennessee disability community empowered with strength, knowledge, and self-determination. Embracing your… Read more Self-Advocacy is as easy as 1,2,3…4,5,6

Independent Living Begins with Self-Advocacy

Posted on by Gina Lynette
Tree skyline background image with a read white and blue shield interstate sign with text on top that says, "NEXT EXIT ADVOCACY," with a smaller blue rectangular sign on the pole with a white arrow pointing right on the left of the image. On the right of the image is a diamond shaped yellow sign with black line border and text that says "INDEPENDENT LIVING." On the top middle of the image is the YLA logo.

When Sam* arrived at the opening session of the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) – a collaborative program funded and coordinated by Empower Tennessee, the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and TNSTEP – they were quiet and pretty much kept to themselves. That first day, they heard a presentation on “Finding Your Empowered Voice: Learning to… Read more Independent Living Begins with Self-Advocacy

In Their Own Words: Perspectives in View – Rainbow Mosho

Posted on by Rainbow Mosho
Light colored background image of a room with a window on the right facing the blue sky and blue water. On the right of the image is an image of Author Rainbow Mosho wearing a short hair cut, colorful earrings and a bronze color top on a tan gradient background. On the lef of her image is a dark blue color block. In the center of the image is dark blue text, "IN THEIR OWN WORDS PERSPECTIVES IN VIEW How to Become Your Own Best Advocate by Rainbow Mosho."

Becoming your own best advocate is a journey that often requires resilience, determination, and a strong sense of self-worth. For a teen artist and author on the autism spectrum like me, navigating the challenges of both the school system and societal perceptions can be particularly daunting. This reflection delves into my experiences as a 15-year-old,… Read more In Their Own Words: Perspectives in View – Rainbow Mosho

Spotlight – Feb 2024: The Arc Tennessee & People First

Posted on by Heather Henderson
Light red, pink background with lights reading "spotlight." Pathfinder logo as the "o."

The Power of Self-Advocacy: The Arc Tennessee & People First Self-advocacy is a crucial skill that empowers individuals to assert their needs, rights and desires effectively. The mission of The Arc Tennessee is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to actively participate in the community throughout their lifetime, and one… Read more Spotlight – Feb 2024: The Arc Tennessee & People First

Special Ed 101: – Setting Self-Advocacy IEP Goals

Posted on by Mimi Sanders
Green chalkboard background image fireworks at tthe top. Text: "Special Ed 101 Setting Self-Advocacy IEP Goals by Mimi Sanders, M.Ed." Pathfinder's graphic is on the left side of the chalkboard.

As Christopher Reeves, actor and disability advocate, said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Self-advocacy allows individuals to express their needs and how they might need help. Practice is the best way to build these skills and learn how to use them… Read more Special Ed 101: – Setting Self-Advocacy IEP Goals

In the Know – February 2024

Posted on by From the TN Dept of Revenue News Desk
Black background with "in the know" to the left, an arrow in the middle, and then TN Department of Revenue to the right.

To effectively spread awareness about things that matter to people in the community, we’ve chosen to share information shared by community partners directly from the source. Fee Waived on Disabled Person Plate for Parents and Guardians of Individuals with Disabilities Via Tennessee Department of Revenue | January 23, 2024 The Department of Revenue and the… Read more In the Know – February 2024