ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
This page is dedicated to advocacy groups who engage in large scale advocacy.
DISABILITY RIGHTS TN
Disability Rights Tennessee is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides information and referral services, advocacy services, education and outreach, public policy advocacy, and free legal advocacy for issues that are approved by the review team.
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Contact Information
Phone: 1-800-342-1660
Email address: gethelp@disabilityrightstn.org
Website: https://www.disabilityrightstn.org/
EMPOWER TN
Empower TN is middle Tennessee’s center for independent living. Their independent living resources include technology courses, employment programs and braille service. They provide accessibility consultations to businesses, churches, and schools.
They also have peer group support which meets virtually. Empowered ladies meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 2-3:30pm. Empowered Gents meets on the 1st Thursday of the month from 4-5:30pm. The monthly support group for LGBTIA+ Adults with Disabilities is in-person or on zoom on the 3rd Thursday of each month, 12:30-2:30pm.
Contact Information
Phone: (615) 200-6028
Website: https://empowertennessee.org/
Address: 955 Woodland St. Nashville, TN 37206
TENNESSEE DISABILITY COALITION
The TN Disability Coalition is an advocacy group that promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Their programs include Family Voices and WorkAble TN.
Family Voices of TN
Family Voices offers 4 different programs:
​Family to Family- Support, information, resources and training to parents of children with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and special health care needs.
PEARS- Connects families of children who are D/deaf, Hard of Hearing, or have hearing issues with Parent Guides.
Parent to Parent- connects families of children with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and special health care needs with Parent Mentors.
Youth to Youth- connects youth with Peer Mentors and also offers self-advocacy bootcamps.
​Contact Information
Phone: (615) 638-9442
Email: family voices@tndisability.org
Website: https://www.familyvoicestn.org/
​Workable TN
WorkAble TN serves adults with disabilities. They offer one-on-one benefits counseling, providing information about how working may impact benefits.
Contact Information
Phone: (615) 383-9442
Website: www.tndisability.org/workabletn
TENNESSEE DISABILITY PATHFINDER/ CAMINO SEGURO
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder provides information and referrals for disability resources. It is a multilingual/multicultural organization partially funded by the Departments of Health and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities but is primarily funded by the Council on Developmental Disabilities. There is a helpline, an online database of over 2,200 agencies, and even one-on-one guidance and it is operated through the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.
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​Contact Information
Phone: 1-800-640-4636
Website: https://www.tnpathfinder.org/
THE ARC TENNESSEE
The Arc has several different programs to assist people with disabilities:
Decision-Making Support, Family Engagement in Special Education, People First (run by people with disabilities), Peer Support Academy, and Personal Assistant Support and Services.
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Contact Information
Phone: (615) 248-5878
Link to request an advocate: https://secure.everyaction.com/dvfc1bQ0rE-hXYw4cotLCA2
Website: https://www.thearctn.org/
TN STEP
TNSTEP is Tennessee’s Parent Training and Information Center. They have a wealth of information available on their website such as transition guides, an eligibility guide, and videos for both families and professionals. They can also provide support to families and in-service and professional development for professionals.
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Contact Information
Website: https://tnstep.info/
Contact: Middle TN Director of Youth Services Joey Ellis
Phone: (615) 682-3120
Email: joey.ellis@tnstep.info
TN VOICES
TN Voices has many different programs and serves individuals of all ages. They provide mental health services, parent/caregiver support classes, and educator training. Their Statewide Family Support Network (SFSN) works with caregivers to help them understand their child’s IDEA and 504 rights.
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Contact Information
Phone: 800-670-9882
Address: 500 Professional Park Drive, Goodlettsville
Website: https://tnvoices.org/