Megan Hart. Exercising the right of individuals* to communicate for themselves and supporting others...

Tennessee Allies in Self-Advocacy (TASA):

Promoting Self-Advocacy Across the State

Megan Hart

Exercising the right of individuals* to communicate for themselves and supporting others to do the same

*Individuals may be substituted for more specific group of people depending on the audience (e.g. individuals with developmental

disabilities)

What is Self-Advocacy?

Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) identified the need for states to strengthen and enhance self-advocacy efforts

“Allies in Self-Advocacy” Regional Summits – TN included in Southeast Regional Summit◦ Participants: 9 Tennessee Representatives

Councils on Developmental Disabilities University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Protection & Advocacy Agencies Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) National Youth Leadership Network

Historical Recap

What has worked in Tennessee?

What are the struggles/challenges Tennessee faces?

What are the goals/dreams Tennessee has for self-advocacy?◦Self-Advocacy Resource Center(s)◦Strong network of self-advocates and organizations working

together◦Self-Advocacy leads to community involvement and

employment

Summit Discussion Recap

Recruitment:◦ Invited additional agencies including: The Arc Tennessee, Directors

of DD Network Organizations, other disability organizations, and self-advocates

◦ 27 Team Members

Research◦ What would the resource centers provide?◦ What resources are needed to create the resource centers?

Presentations◦ Shared information about TASA with individuals who have

disabilities and asked for their input

Since the Summit…

What do they look like? / How do they promote / support self-advocacy?◦ Led by Self-Advocates with an advisory oversight◦ Cross-disability and lifespan◦ Statewide Access

Multiple physical locations throughout state Accessible via internet

◦ Provide: Information and Referral Education and Trainings Support Groups Community Outreach (e.g., schools) Calendar

Self-Advocacy Resource Centers

What resources (existing and potential) are available to create them?

Not Enough

Self-Advocacy Resource Centers

Website: http://tnselfadvocacy.org◦More about TASA◦Resources – links to self-advocacy related websites

Other Resources

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Self-Advocacy Organizations and Programs

Website Resources

Partners in Policymaking & Self-Advocacy Online

Website Resources

Website: http://tnselfadvocacy.org◦Calendar of Self-Advocacy Related Events

Website Resources

More information to be added to website:◦Next Chapter Book Clubs◦ Legislative Bills affecting people with disabilities◦Self-Advocate Support Groups (e.g., “Greater Chattanooga

Aspies”)◦ Training Modules

What other information should be added?

Website Resources

Self-Advocate Survey◦ https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=5bAqvk◦We want to know what individuals with disabilities need and

want TASA to do to support them in becoming self-advocates

What other suggestions do you have for TASA?

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Where do we go from here?

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Sign up for our email list serve

Stay in touch with us!

Questions?

If you would like to become involved in TASA or know someone who would, please contact:

Megan Hart(615) 875-5082

megan.hart@vanderbilt.edu

Seeking Additional Feedback