VOCATIONAL RESOURCES

Autism Tennessee  programs include the HELPline, Crisis Support, Education, Outreach, Self-Advocate Programs for Adults, and EmployMe.  The EmployMe program assists individuals with preemployment resources, independent living supports, and inclusive employers and Drive to Thrive is a driving program.

​Contact Information 

Email: Support@AutismTN.org

Helpline: (615) 270-2077 

Website: https://autismtennessee.wildapricot.org/

Bright Steps is a Nashville based school-to-work transition day program developed to prepare neurodivergent teens & young adults for life after high school. Participants engage in classroom activities and community-based instruction. 

​Contact Information

Address: 392 Harding Place Ste 203, Nashville

Email: jenna@brightstepstn.org

Website: https://www.brightstepstn.org/

Celebrate EDU is a national nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities through online business and entrepreneurship education.  They help people develop self-advocacy skills and also have a microgrant program for people to start or build their business. 

Contact Information

Website: https://celebrateedu.org/

Email: hello@celebrateedu.org

Community Options is a national nonprofit that provides community-based options for individuals with disabilities living in Hendersonville and other local areas.  Services include housing, employment, and the School to Employment Program for transitioning youth and young adults.   

Contact Information

Phone: (615) 885-1099 

Address: 2815 Patriot Way, Nashville 

Email: Antonio.Ferguson@comop.org 

Website: www.comop.org

Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES is for people of all ages who have an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) and qualify financially to get TennCare. Their services can help people learn skills for work, find a job, or keep a job.  

Contact Information

Phone: 1-877-224-0219

Website: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/employment-and-community-first-choices.html

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

Career Solutions is the mission arm of Goodwill Industries.  They provide education classes, training in different job fields, skill development, job placement assistance, and employment services.  Many of their clients are individuals with disabilities.  All of the career solutions services are available free of charge. 

​Contact Information

Phone: (615) 742-4151

Address: 205A Indian Lake Blvd, Hendersonville

Website: https://giveit2goodwill.org/careersolutions

H.A.T.S. helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing opportunities for community integration, inclusion, making choices, and life skills.

• Community-based services include outings and volunteer opportunities. 

• Residential homes in Sumner and Robertson County.

• Respite services.

• Supported employment and vocational rehabilitation.

• Family Support helps individuals with severe disabilities by providing funds for such things as respite care, home modifications, medical supplies, personal assistance, homemaker services, and health-related needs. Applications (Intake Forms) are available online.

Contact Information 

Phone: (615) 451-0974

Address: 545 Airport Road, Gallatin

Website:  https://hatstn.org/

The Job Accommodation Network serves workers with disabilities by  providing accommodation solutions, trusted strategies, and practical guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Contact Information

Phone (Voice): (800) 526-7234  

Phone (TTY):    (877) 781-9403 

Website: www.askjan.org

Merging Happiness & Inclusion is a nonprofit organization that serves adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to create inclusion in the workplace and community.  They provide Pre-Employment and Employment Services.  They offer self-ay and ECF choices waiver and serve Middle Tennessee. 

Contact Information

Website: https://mhinclusion.org/

Millar Rich provides residential, employment, and day services for adults.  Their supported employment program offers youth and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities pre-employment, job placement, and ongoing support services.  

​Contact Information 

Address: 5022 Old Hydes Ferry Pike Nashville TN 37218

Phone: (615) 564-7177

Website: www.millarrich.com

Project SEARCH® is a transition to work program for the purpose of securing employment for people with disabilities.  It is a business-led, one year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Interns participate in an internship program during their last year in high school. Welch College in Gallatin does a school-based model and several sites in Nashville do an adult-based model, including Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.  

Contact Information: 

Learn about sites: https://projectsearch.us/ 

Local VR office to contact for potential interns: 1-833-772-8347 

Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Center- 1598 Green Lea Blvd Gallatin 

Rehab Without Walls offers neuro rehabilitation for neurological conditions.  Services include occupational therapy, vocational rehab, physical therapy, speech/language therapy, and recreational therapy. They provide services in home, in the community, and in outpatient settings. They see children, teens, and adults.

​Contact Information

Address: 105 Glen Oaks Blvd, Suite 101, Hendersonville

Phone: (615) 826-6612

Website: rehabwithoutwalls.com

Workable TN is a program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition.  They offer one-on-one benefits counseling, providing information about how working may impact benefits.  

​Contact Information

Phone: (615) 383-9442

Email: alice_o@tndisability.org

Website: www.tndisability.org/workabletn 

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