AbleVoices

06/02/2026

Behind every great nonprofit are people who generously share their time, knowledge, and experience. Today, we're celebrating Jim DeMain. 📷

As a retired music industry professional and avid photographer with AbleVoices, Jim has spent countless hours supporting our photographers, sharing his love of photography, and helping participants build skills and confidence behind the camera. His patience, encouragement, and willingness to share what he has learned over the years have made a meaningful impact on our programs.

Volunteers like Jim help make it possible for our photographers to learn, create, and grow in a supportive environment. We are grateful for his commitment, time, and dedication to the AbleVoices community.

Please join us in thanking Jim DeMain for all he does and for sharing his passion for photography with our photographers.

05/28/2026

Do you have working photography equipment or supplies collecting dust? They could help support the work happening at AbleVoices! 📸

As our programs continue to grow, we're looking for in-kind donations of photography-related items to help photographers with disabilities learn, create, and share their work. Donations of cameras, lenses, memory cards, tripods, lighting equipment, printers, photo paper, camera bags, and other photography supplies can make a real difference in our programs and community projects.

Every donated item helps provide opportunities for hands-on learning, creative expression, and skill development for the photographers we serve.

If you have photography equipment or supplies you'd like to donate, we'd love to hear from you!

Donate today by reaching out to AbleVoices and helping us continue our mission.

Complete the form here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1P-8RrAj3zKDIKAW7J0PShP2JEfNdNwfNgWUjy1tqozQ/edit

05/26/2026

In our newest blog post, AbleVoices founder and Executive Director Jen Vogus shares the story behind one of our favorite yearly collaborations with the Williamson County Schools Transition 2 program.

What began as a simple idea- providing professional headshots for graduating students with disabilities- has grown into a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved. Through this partnership, Transition 2 students receive headshots to help them as they enter adulthood, while AbleVoices photographers and studio assistants gain hands-on experience in portrait photography, editing, printing, and customer service through our Photo Academy and Supported Employment programs.

Jen also shares why this year’s project was especially personal for her and her family.
This is a story about community, opportunity, meaningful work, and the power of people supporting one another.

Read the full blog post here:
https://www.ablevoices.org/blog

And congratulations to all graduates across Williamson County and throughout Tennessee! 🎓

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

Digital accessibility affects how people connect, learn, create, and participate every day. Today, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we’re taking time to recognize why accessible design matters for everyone. 🌐

This year’s theme, “Design, Develop, Deliver,” focuses on building stronger digital accessibility skills and creating online spaces that are easier for people of all abilities to use and navigate. At AbleVoices, accessibility is part of our everyday work, from photography programming and communication to the ways we share stories and connect with our community online.

Creating accessible spaces takes intention, listening, and continued learning. Small changes can make a meaningful difference in helping more people fully participate and be included.

Follow AbleVoices and share this post to help spread awareness about digital accessibility and inclusion.

05/18/2026

We’re excited to see several AbleVoices photographers featured in the newest annual arts issue of Breaking Ground Magazine from the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities 🍃

The issue includes photography from Alyssa, Jack, Charlie, Micah, and Nicholas, highlighting the creativity and perspective each photographer brings to their work. One featured image, Alyssa’s photo “Tree Canopy,” captures a view looking upward through the branches of a tree with light and sky filtering through overhead.

Opportunities like this give our photographers the chance to share their work with audiences across Tennessee while being part of larger conversations around disability, art, and community inclusion.

We’re grateful to Breaking Ground Magazine for including our photographers and helping share their work with new audiences.

Follow and share to support inclusive arts programming through AbleVoices.

Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities

05/18/2026

A quick look back at a special day earlier this May at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival in Arrington, TN 🎥

This reel was created by Jack and highlights moments from our AbleVoices photography outing during one of the festival’s sensory-friendly days for visitors with disabilities. The calmer environment and thoughtful accommodations made it a great fit for our photographers as they explored the grounds, photographed performers and costumes, and spent time together in the community.

Outings like these give photographers the opportunity to practice their skills in real settings while enjoying experiences designed to be more accessible and welcoming.

We’re grateful to share moments like this with our community and proud of the work our photographers continue to create.

Follow AbleVoices and share this reel to help more people see what our programs are all about.

Tennessee Renaissance Festival

05/14/2026

Looking for a meaningful way to spend a few hours this summer? AbleVoices is looking for volunteers to support our PHun Friday program on Fridays from June through July. ☀️

Volunteers help young adult photographers with disabilities during hands-on photo sessions by uploading images, reviewing and editing photos, and offering encouragement along the way. No professional photography experience is required, just patience, a willingness to help, and an interest in working alongside a creative and supportive community in the Nashville area.

PHun Fridays are a chance to connect, learn, and be part of the real work that goes into photography projects and programming at AbleVoices. Support and guidance are provided for every volunteer role.

Learn more about volunteering with AbleVoices at ablevoices.org/volunteer

05/06/2026

Come along on our latest photo walk. 📸

On Friday, April 24, our AbleVoices Photo Academy photographers spent time exploring the area around Brentwood Library, capturing details, light, and everyday moments that stood out to them. This short video shares a few highlights from the afternoon and a glimpse of how our photographers work in real time.

This photo walk gave our photographers space to practice their skills, try new ideas, and see familiar places in different ways. Each outing looks a little different depending on what catches someone’s eye.

If you love photography and supporting the disability community, please share this video!

05/06/2026

Take a look at our website this month. 📸

For May, we’ve updated the AbleVoices homepage to feature a new hero image by Alex Balkon, one of our photographers.

Alex’s photo captures a game at First Horizon Bank Park, home of the Nashville Sounds. Fans fill the outfield seating in warm evening light, while the video board shows a batter mid-swing. Around the stadium, details like “Hit City” and gathering spaces like Picnic Place, along with a glimpse of the Nashville skyline, bring the full game-day atmosphere into view.

Each month, we feature a different photographer, and we’re glad to share Alex’s perspective this May.

Follow and share to support our photographers!