Tennessee Disability Pathfinder (“Pathfinder”) is a hub of information and resources for people with disabilities, their family members, educators, and other professionals. Our resource directory includes over 3,000 organizations and providers from across the state. Resource listings can be accessed two different ways, by searching our website (TNPathfinder.org) or by calling our helpline (1-800-640-4636) to talk to experienced information and referral specialists.
The services Pathfinder offers can be categorized into three components: (a) Information and Referrals ; (b) Education and Training; and (c) the Multicultural Outreach Program. One-on-one assistance to help Tennesseans connect to community resources that meet their specific needs is offered through Information and Referrals. Education and Training refers to the presentations and innovative workshops we provide to teach people about a variety of topics, including housing, working with multicultural populations, and combatting ableism. Our Multicultural Outreach Program aims to eliminate the barriers that many culturally diverse communities encounter when trying to find disability resources. We do this by providing case management assistance and training presentations.
So here’s the 4-1-1 on how Tennesseeans are using Pathfinder. This information is just in time for Back-to-School.
Using Pathfinder
Tennesseans access or contact Pathfinder for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is to connect to resources in the community. Our website offers different filters to help users search for resources that meet their needs. Users can search within their geographical area, age group, diagnoses, or preferred payment types. Our community events calendar can also be found on the website. Event listings include location and other relevant details like price and registration links. From state agency-sponsored events to community meetups, statewide conferences to virtual coffee breaks, there are many different types of engagement to be found.
Pathfinder also helps Tennesseans learn more about a topic or get questions answered. Education, employment, legal services, and advocacy are just a few examples of the areas that can be explored. Our website allows users to save searches, resource listings, or events so that their favorite listings can be kept in one place. Long gone are the days of scrolling through pages to find an event you were interested in but forgot to write down the details!
The website also houses our newsletter and print resources to help users keep up to date on what is happening across the state. The newsletter comes out monthly and is also archived on the website.
Hear From Our Users
There is no better way to explain what Pathfinder can do for you than through the words of our users! Look at what some of our users have to say about how they use Pathfinder in their everyday lives.
Q: How have you used Pathfinder to ask a question or learn more about a topic?
A: “Honestly, I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I just knew that I was looking for help. I was mostly looking for care, for someone to be with me and take care of me.” – Individual with a disability from Madison County
Q: How have you used Pathfinder to help someone else?
A: “I’ve called Pathfinder when I’m stuck, when I have no clue, and I’ve gone through and exhausted all of my resources. So, I’ve called Pathfinder to speak with one of the staff to cast a wider net to see if I’m missing anything.” – Professional supporting client statewide
A: I give out Pathfinder now on almost 90% of my calls. I always say, ‘You might want to check out Tennessee Disability Pathfinder as well. I describe Pathfinder as a one stop shopping for persons with disabilities.” – Professional supporting client statewide
Q: Share your experience speaking with a Pathfinder information and referral specialist?
A: “I was so appreciative of the responsiveness of my contact at TN Disability Pathfinder. She was so prompt in getting me information. And when she didn’t know it herself, she went out of her way to reach out to other contacts in the industry to help answer any questions. Additionally, I felt really supported emotionally throughout the entire dialogue. It was wonderful. I will definitely recommend it to others!” – Helpline caller
Q: Share about your experience utilizing the Multicultural Outreach Program?
A: “I love that Pathfinder has a lot of information for immigrants and non-English speaking individuals. I was working with a woman who only spoke Spanish and I really pushed her to contact Pathfinder since she was so concerned and didn’t think anyone would be able to understand her. I said, ‘I promise you Pathfinder will have someone who speaks Spanish and can help you.” – Professional working in Davidson County
Q: How do you utilize Pathfinder’s website?
A: “I like the search engine because you can choose your age and you can choose where you’re from and then you can choose if you want job help or help with anything like that.” – Individual with a disability from Madison County
A: “It’s like a Google search. [The website helps with] how to start, where to start, who are the providers… It gives so much input and also at the same time, so much information. [The search filters] give the thought process, like, ‘Okay, maybe this is where I should go and look, maybe this is the option.” – Parent from Williamson County
No matter your reason for using Pathfinder, we want you to rest assured that we are here to help you by providing accurate resource information throughout the state of Tennessee. Feel free to call us at 1-800-640-4636, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT or use our website 24/7 at TNPathfinder.org.
About the Authors
Emily Lanchak, M.Ed. is a Research Program Manager in the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt. Her work centers on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities. She leads the Tennessee Employment Pathway Project, which focuses on increasing employment outcomes for adults with IDD. She also works on projects aimed at improving the way Tennesseans find disability resources and programs. Emily previously worked as a special education teacher in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Kara Orsolini is a second-year graduate student at Vanderbilt University earning her Master’s of Education in Child Studies in the Department of Psychology and Human Development. She is passionate about disability advocacy and takes great pride in her work as a research assistant for the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Pathfinder has been an incredible addition to her toolkit when working with patients and families both in the hospital and in the community at large. She is grateful to be a small part of sharing the treasure that is Pathfinder!
Quotes included in this article were selected from interviews the authors held with Pathfinder users this summer. The authors support Pathfinder by collecting feedback and insights from their users. This work contributes to goal of expanding the use and impact of Pathfinder’s services.