Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Graduates Overcome Barriers To Achieve Success

SMYRNA, Tenn.– Dozens of young men and women with significant disabilities donned cap and gown today and proudly walked or rolled their wheelchairs across the stage at the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Smyrna. The students come from every corner of the state, but all are filled with the same determination and drive to enter or re-enter the workforce and better

their lives. Their studies and hard work in programs like Hospitality and Food Service, Business Education Training, Building Maintenance and Warehouse Training have enabled them to do just that. With certificate in hand, these new graduates are now moving on to the next stage in their lives.

“The Department of Human Services is dedicated to helping our citizens with disabilities overcome their individual barriers and gain successful employment in communities across Tennessee and beyond,” said Commissioner Gina Lodge, who attended today’s graduation. “The services offered at TRC assist individuals in achieving their highest level of functioning so they can live and work as independently as possible.”

Students who attend the TRC have a wide variety of disabilities, from traumatic brain injuries to blindness or mental retardation. Many must undergo physical or occupational therapy or take part in the transitional living skills program to better assist them as they leave the TRC and move into more independent lives.

The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center is a state-operated comprehensive rehabilitation facility. It is one of only nine such centers in the nation. Services are provided on campus, and the majority of clients live on site while receiving services. The length of programs offered at TRC vary, depending upon the individual client’s interest, abilities and needs.

TRC is part of the Division of Rehabilitation Services within the Tennessee Department of Human Services. TRC serves more than 1,500 Tennesseans with disabilities each year. Since opening its doors in 1977, TRC has served more than 28,000 individuals.

For a county-by-county breakdown of graduates, please see www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/news/news-12-15-06.pdf