Tennessee Recognizes Disability Employment Awareness Month
State continues efforts to assist those with disabilties obtain employment
NASHVILLE – October has been designated Disability Employment Awareness Month in Tennessee by Governor Haslam, as well as nationally, and serves to recognize the strengths, skills and capabilities of people with disabilities. This month, the Department of Human Services (DHS), and other agencies throughout the state are holding events to bring awareness to disability employment issues and the contributions of all involved.
“Expect. Employ. Empower.”, is the theme of the 2014 National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Over the past year, the DHS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program has assisted more than 2,100 people reach successful employment, while also providing services to help others accomplish the same. The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), a division within DHS, provides rehabilitation services to Tennesseans with the most significant disabilities, ranging from traumatic brain injury and cognitive impairments to blindness.
Vocational rehabilitation offices across the state as well as the seventeen Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers located in rural communities and the residential comprehensive Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna provide numerous services to clients, including vocational training, physical or occupational therapy and transitional life skills.
“We are very excited about the contributions Tennesseans living with disabilities are making to the workforce and appreciate their perseverance," said DHS Commissioner Raquel Hatter. “Through the workforce development provided by DHS and hard work of partners and employers, we can all make a lasting impact in their lives.”
State departments and agencies are working together to provide a system of services and supports for people with disabilities in helping them reach their employment goals. One example of these combined efforts was illustrated by the Employment First Task Force report released last month.
DHS staff members are working with businesses, partners and other state agencies across Tennessee on activities recognizing Disability Employment Awareness Month. Attached is a partial list of scheduled events.
For more information on vocational rehabilitation services, visit http://www.tn.gov/humanserv/rehab/vrs.html .
October 14
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Area Recognition Awards Luncheon by the Chattanooga Area Employment Consortium
Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center
One Carter Plaza
Chattanooga, TN
Contact: Lana Bazemore, (423) 634-6706
Disability Mentoring Day @ Vanderbilt
The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October by participating in a national job-shadow and career exploration program.
October 15
Disability Mentoring Day
Statewide
Contact: Trish Farmer, (615) 313-4907
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
TN Employment First Conference, sponsored by the TN Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Millennium Maxwell House Hotel
2025 Rosa Parks Blvd
Nashville, TN
Contact: Cara Kumari, (615) 253-2236
10:00 a.m. – noon
Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House
TN Rehabilitation Center at Greeneville
241 Baileyton Road
Greeneville, TN
Contact: Michele Keffer, (423) 639-5148
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House
TN Rehabilitation Center at Cleveland
3069 Overlook Drive, Suite B
Cleveland, TN
Contact: Delwyn Smith, (423) 478-0332
October 16
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Abilities Expo
Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Smyrna
460 Ninth Avenue
Smyrna, TN
Contact: Nancy Patterson (615) 459-6811, ext 204
October 17
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Disability Employment Awareness Month Recognition Day
TN Rehabilitation Center at Franklin
1405A Brookwood Ave.
Franklin, TN
Contact: Barbara Bennett, (615)599-9162
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Disability Employment Awareness Month Career Job Fair with Career Coach
TN Rehabilitation Center at Murfreesboro
1132 Haley Road
Murfreesboro, TN
Contact: Pam Furlong, (615) 898-8808
October 22
7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Knoxville Area Employment Consortium hosts Disability Employment Awareness Breakfast
Vallie Collins, survivor of U.S. Airways Flight #1549, that landed in New York’s Hudson River will share her experience in what has become known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
Crowne Plaza Hotel
401 West Summit Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN
Contact: Tina Jones, (865) 594-6757
October 24
10:00 a.m. – noon
Career & Community Resource Fair
TN Rehabilitation Center at Clarksville
1575 Corporate Parkway Blvd
Clarksville, TN
Contact: Virginia Talley, (931) 648-5560
October 28
11:30 a.m.
Area Recognition Awards Luncheon
TN Rehabilitation Center at Dyersburg
1365 Morgan Road
Dyersburg, TN
Contact: Tammy Boxx, (731) 286-8315
October 29
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Career & Community Resource Fair
TN Rehabilitation Center at Union City
1419 N Morgan Extended
Union City, TN
Contact: Bradley Moss, (731) 884-2600
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
TN Career Coach from TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development will be on location
TN Rehabilitation Center at Winchester
135 Baxter Lane
Winchester, TN
Contact: Kim Hasty, (931) 962-1162
October 31
10:00 a.m. – noon
Disability Employment Awareness Day
TN Rehabilitation Center at Maryville
1749 Triangle Park Drive
Maryville, TN
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