Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee

06/23/2026

June 23 is International Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day.

Join the Purple Drives Progress campaign: wear purple, light it up, create, share, and inspire others to take action.

Every purple action raises awareness, supports families, and fuels research.

Dravet Syndrome Foundation

06/22/2026

This week marks the 27th anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C. The Olmstead v. L.C. decision is a landmark 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling about the rights of people with disabilities.

In simple terms, the Court said that unnecessarily keeping people with disabilities in institutions can be a form of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Instead, when appropriate and when services can be provided safely, individuals have the right to receive care and support in community-based settings.

The case became a foundation for disability rights policy in the U.S. It helped shift systems away from institutional care and toward:
🔹Community living options
🔹Independent living supports
🔹Inclusion in everyday community life

Learn more -

print friendly Olmstead v. LC: History and Current Status The Olmstead Supreme Court Decision in a Nutshell Olmstead, or Olmstead v. LC, is the name of the most important civil rights decision for people with disabilities in our country's history. This 1999 United States Supreme Court decision was ...

06/21/2026

Caring for a loved one is rewarding, but caregivers need time to rest and recharge. The Tennessee Caregiver Coalition's Respite Voucher Program helps family caregivers take a break by reimbursing the cost of respite services.

Who Can Apply?
Family caregivers who live with the person they support.

What’s covered: A wide range of respite services, with the option for direct vendor payment when needed.

The Family Directed Respite Voucher Program empowers caregivers to choose respite services that best meet their family's needs while helping offset some of the associated costs.

Application Period: April 1 – June 30

Application Deadline: June 30

How to Apply: Complete the online application through the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition. https://tncaregiver.org/respite-voucher-program/

Questions? Contact: [email protected]

Respite Voucher ProgramThe Family Directed Respite Voucher program helps defray some of the cost of respite to family caregivers. It encourages families to be in control of and empowered to use respite as it meets their needs. Click Here for Information About the Program Respite Voucher Program Who....

06/20/2026

Your Vote Has Power!

Voting helps shape the future of our communities. When you vote, you help choose the leaders who make decisions at the local, state, and federal levels.

These leaders:
• Make laws
• Decide how public funds are spent
• Make choices that affect schools, jobs, health care, transportation, and daily life

These decisions impact people with disabilities and their families every day. Make sure you have the information you need before you vote.

Find voting resources, tools, and information at The Arc of the United States

Voting is very important. Use our voting resources to make sure you have the information you need to make your vote count!

06/19/2026

Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” is celebrated each year on June 19 and commemorates the day in 1865 when federal troops, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free under General Order No. 3.

The arrival of Union troops came more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, ensuring that freedom was finally enforced in Texas. Juneteenth marks a pivotal moment in American history and honors the end of slavery in the United States.

Today, Juneteenth celebrates freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice for all. In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday.

06/18/2026

Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital interns graduate from Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program

Five students completed the 2025-2026 Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program this spring at Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, joining a growing roster of graduates who have built real workplace skills — and in many cases, launched careers — through the yearlong program.

06/17/2026

Happy Pride Month!

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, honor the history of the movement for equality, and recognize the ongoing work toward inclusion and acceptance. It's an opportunity to uplift diverse voices, support one another, and build communities where everyone can live authentically and with pride.

Many individuals live at the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identities, bringing unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions to their communities. Pride is an opportunity to promote accessibility, inclusion, and equity while honoring the diversity that strengthens our communities.

This Pride Month, let's celebrate every identity, advocate for accessible spaces, and ensure everyone has the opportunity to be seen, heard, and valued. See less

06/16/2026

TN Disability MegaConference Registration Now Open!

Join the 2026 Tennessee Disability MegaConference—a powerful event bringing together advocates, professionals, and community members from across the state.

📅 Date: August 21, 2026
📍 Location: Embassy Suites – Murfreesboro
1200 Conference Center Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with leaders in the disability community.

If you need technical assistance or have any questions about the registration process, please call us at 615-248-5878 or email [email protected].

🔗 Register now:

06/15/2026

Vocational Rehabilitation: Where Ability Means Employability!

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) helps Tennesseans with disabilities achieve independence through employment and meaningful participation in the community and economy.

Who They Serve
🔸Tennesseans with disabilities – including middle and high school students – preparing for independence through work.
🔸Tennessee businesses – owners and operators looking to create inclusive workplaces for employees and customers with disabilities.

TDHS Vocational Rehabilitation creates pathways for Tennesseans of all abilities to thrive in employment and independence.

Learn more:

Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation: Where Ability Means Employability! At the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), our goal is to ensure Tennesseans of all abilities have the opportunity to reach their full potential as members of our state’s community, workforce and eco...