The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Smyrna is a state-operated training center that provides career and technical education to prepare individuals with disabilities for greater independence and competitive integrated employment in their local communities. In addition to comprehensive vocational evaluation, TRC-Smyrna provides vocational skills training in several Areas of Study and offers additional enhancement courses as needed to support individual students’ educational goals.
Resource list for employers and employees provided by Disability Rights TN
The ECF CHOICES program launched in July 2016 with the goal of helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work and to live as independently as possible. In its first year, the program enrolled 1,500 people. In 2018, the program is slated to expand and enroll up to 2,700 members.
Even with a well-paying job, employees who have a disability, or employees who support family members who have a disability, often face significant costs to maintain health, independence and quality of life. ABLE accounts are key to “Achieving a Better Life Experience” for your employees with disabilities and their families. An ABLE account can be used to support your employees’ ability to work and to increase their productivity, which results in a diverse, valued and productive workforce. The ABLE Employer Toolkit can help you understand and integrate ABLE into your employee benefits program to support their success in work and life.
JobWise has been partnering with Vocational Rehabilitation Services for over 14 years assisting people with disabilities find meaningful competitive employment in the community.
Possibility Place will strive to provide job training and volunteer skills where the participant can contribute to society and find personal fulfillment, training for independent living skills, opportunities for further learning of basic reading, math, and computer skills, training for a lifetime of healthy lifestyle habits including recreation, exercise, and healthy choices, opportunities to build friendships and learn strong social skills, and opportunities for the participants to grow mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Project SEARCH provides individuals living with disabilities with tuition free job training and educational, developmental, and employment opportunities within Vanderbilt. The goal of Project SEARCH is to fill a business need with qualified individuals living with developmental disabilities. W
Tennessee’s online home for training and resources on preparing students with disabilities for life after high school. Consider this the “blueprint” to building a comprehensive transition program for your students. Learn about the best practices and practical strategies for special educators, families, and other transition team members as you fill your toolbox with key tools for success.
Elevating employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
Disability Day on the Hill, which will be Feb. 8, 2017, is an important day for families to share their personal stories with state representatives and senators to help them understand how the decisions they make on legislative issues affect individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
I can’t wait for Disability Day on the Hill in Nashville Feb. 8 and in Washington, DC on March 22. I can’t wait to see my legislators and talk about what we need in the community. I love being there with other self-advocates who want to talk about the same things.
Spread the Word to End the Word is not a political correctness campaign. It is not about censorship. It is all about RESPECT.
My name is Paul Daugherty. My blessing, one of many, is my daughter Jillian Daugherty Mavriplis. She’s 27 and has achieved a lot: High school graduation, four years of college, full-time employment, complete independence and marriage to the love of her life, Ryan. Oh, she has Down syndrome. Almost forgot that.
If your child or family member has Down syndrome, he or she may be eligible for financial assistance to help pay for any medical care, housing costs, caretakers, and any other daily living needs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers benefits for people who are unable to work or participate in typical childhood activities due to a serious disability. Down syndrome almost always medically qualifies for Social Security benefits, but financial eligibility may be a little more challenging.