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DEAF, HOH AND BLIND RESOURCES

BLIND EARLY SERVICES TN

Blind Early Services provides family support and early intervention for children who are blind or low vision. Their programs include a parent support program, an early intervention program, a parent empowerment program, and an early identification screening program. They provide direct services for children under the age of 3 with a note from a pediatric ophthalmologist. 

Contact Information

Email: info@blindearlyservices.org

Phone: (615) 200-8006

Website: www.blindearlyservices.org

BRIDGES FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

Bridges for the deaf and hard of hearing offers youth services for children birth through high school, a specialized GED program, ASL Classes, interpreting services, advocacy, and two ASL video chats per week, one for 5th-12th graders and one for adults age 18 and up. 

​Contact Information

Website: bridgesfordeafandhh.org

Voice/TTY: (615) 248-8828

Video Phone Local: (615) 290-5147

Video Phone Toll-free: 866-385-6524

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. 

Contact Information

Phone: (615) 200-6028

Email: info@empowertn.org

Website: https://empowertennessee.org/

Address: 955 Woodland St.  Nashville, TN 37206

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND TENNESSEE

National Federation of the Blind Tennessee is an advocacy organization of blind people.  They have a Free White Cane Program, an Association of Blind Merchants, an Association of Guide Dog Users, and a Seniors Division.  

​Contact Information

Email: nashville@nfbtn.org

Website: www.nfbtn.org

PEARS PROGRAM

PEARS is a program of Family Voices of Tennessee.  They provide information and support from parents who have a lived experience raising a child who is D/deaf of Hard of Hearing.  Families are connected with an experienced Parent Guide.  

Contact Information

Email: pears@tndisability.org

Website: https://www.familyvoicestn.org/programs/pears/

TENNESSEE DEAF-BLIND PROJECT

The Tennessee Deaf-Blind Project is a federally funded program for families, educators, and professionals of individuals with both hearing and vision loss.  Their services are free from birth to age 21 and include on-site consultations, trainings, resource referrals, and connection with other families.

​Contact Information

Address: 3401 West End Avenue, Suite 460 West, Nashville TN 37203

Website: https://www.childrenshospitalvanderbilt.org/service/tennessee-deafblind-project

Phone: (615) 936-0262

TN HANDS & VOICES

TN Hands & Voices is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

​Contact Information

Website: tnhandsandvoices.org

Contact: Tonya Bowman, Middle TN Regional Parent Consultant

Email: tonya@tnhandsandvoices.org

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM

The Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR) assists people with disabilities to prepare for employment.  They provide guidance, training, transportation, transition services from school to work, job placement, supported employment and more.  

The VR Program also has special emphasis services for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing or blind and visually impaired. 

​Contact Information 

Website - https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/disability-services.html

Phone: (833) 751-0597

PO Box 344 Cottontown TN 37048

©2025 by Sumner County Special Needs Collaborative. 

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