ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
This page is dedicated to advocacy groups who engage in large scale advocacy. If you are looking for a special education advocate, to go the Advocates page.
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.
​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
Email: info@empowertn.org
Website: https://empowertennessee.org/
Address: 955 Woodland St. Nashville, TN 37206
INCLUDE ME ADVOCACY GROUP
Include Me Advocacy Group's mission is to ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate athletic, educational, and employment-related services. Services include inclusion, pro-bono advocacy, independent living skills training, and community integration.
​Contact Information
Address: 115 W Franklin St., Gallatin
Phone: (615) 696-4006
Website: https://includemeadvocacygroup.org/
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 3 different programs:
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​Family to Family- Support, information, resources and training to parents of children with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and special health care needs.
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PEARS- Connects families of children who are D/deaf, Hard of Hearing, or have hearing issues with Parent Guides.
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Parent to Parent- connects families of children with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and special health care needs with Parent Mentors.
Contact Information
Email: familyvoices@tndisability.org
Link for referrals: https://www.familyvoicestn.org/get-connected/
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.
​​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.
​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.
​Contact Information
Website: https://tnstep.info/
Contact: Middle TN Director of Youth Services Joey Ellis Phone: (615) 682-3120 Email: joey.ellis@tnstep.info
Bilingual Contact: Patricia Valladeres Phone: (615) 463-2310 Email: patricia.valladares@tnstep.info
TN VOICES
TN Voices offers a wide-range of mental health and family support services at no cost. They help parents and caregivers navigate complicated systems within the school, court, and mental health systems. They also provide care coordination and resource connection for the whole family. They also support educators and caregivers with trainings, consultation services, and technical assistance. Many families reach out to them for education advocacy. They also offer parenting and prevention classes. Their services can be accessed virtually or in-person, depending on the program.
Additionally, they offer individual and family counseling, case management services, psychiatric, and medication management services virtually statewide and in-person at our Goodlettsville office. They serve ages 3+. They take TennCare, some commercial insurances, and have a sliding scale fee depending on financial or situational hardship. For those who are uninsured or underinsured, they offer the Behavioral Safety Net Grant to access our services at no cost.
​Contact Information
Phone: (615).269-7751
Address: 805 Meadowlark Lane, Goodlettsville
Website: www.tnvoices.org