Disability Rights Tennessee

Disability Rights Tennessee Nonprofit legal advocacy agency dedicated to protecting the rights of Tennesseans with disabilities.

Offices:
Middle Tennessee (Admin Office)
2 International Plaza, Suite 825
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: 615-298-1080
Fax: 615-298-2046

East Tennessee
9050 Executive Park Drive, Suite 101-B
Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: 865-670-2944
Fax: 865-470-7028

West Tennessee
1407 Union Avenue, Suite 1015
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: 901-458-6013
Fax: 901-249-2933

Every number tells a story.In Fiscal Year 2025, Disability Rights Tennessee:• Responded to 2,012 requests for services• ...
05/29/2026

Every number tells a story.

In Fiscal Year 2025, Disability Rights Tennessee:
• Responded to 2,012 requests for services
• Opened 139 advocacy cases
• Attended 64 community outreach events across the state

That’s thousands of moments where someone needed support—and found it.

From helping students plan for life after high school to advocating for access and fairness, this is what our work looks like across Tennessee.

Learn more about how we can help or get involved.

We could not do this without you.Thank you to our DEAL sponsors for helping bring this event to life and support the dis...
05/27/2026

We could not do this without you.
Thank you to our DEAL sponsors for helping bring this event to life and support the disability community across Tennessee.
We are grateful for your support.

DRT will be closed for Memorial Day, May 25. We’ll reopen Tuesday, May 26, ready to assist you.Our Get Help line is alwa...
05/25/2026

DRT will be closed for Memorial Day, May 25. We’ll reopen Tuesday, May 26, ready to assist you.

Our Get Help line is always open, even when we're closed, and calls will be returned during our business hours.

On May 23, we recognize the anniversary of the PAIMI Act.PAIMI stands for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals wi...
05/23/2026

On May 23, we recognize the anniversary of the PAIMI Act.

PAIMI stands for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act. This law gives organizations like Disability Rights Tennessee the authority to investigate abuse and neglect and protect the rights of people with mental illness.

For decades, PAIMI programs across the country have helped people access safer treatment, better services, and protection from harm.

Mental health rights are disability rights.
DisabilityRightsTN.org/Resources/ -Health

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day.The internet is part of daily life—but not everyone can use it the same way....
05/21/2026

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

The internet is part of daily life—but not everyone can use it the same way.

Digital accessibility means making websites, apps, and online tools usable for people with disabilities.

That includes people who use screen readers, need captions, or navigate by keyboard instead of a mouse.

When we design accessibly, more people can learn, work, and connect.

Small changes can make a big difference.

👉 Want to learn more? Check out our carousel on digital accessibility basics.

Graduation season is here 🎓For many students with disabilities, the next step can feel uncertain.That’s where Pre-Employ...
05/18/2026

Graduation season is here 🎓
For many students with disabilities, the next step can feel uncertain.

That’s where Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) come in.

Pre-ETS helps students ages 14–22 build real-world skills before leaving high school—like exploring careers, trying out jobs, and learning how to advocate for themselves.

Through the Client Assistance Program (CAP), Disability Rights Tennessee helps students and families:
✔ Understand Pre-ETS
✔ Access services through Vocational Rehabilitation
✔ Fix problems if services aren’t happening

No one should leave school without a plan.

📌 Learn your options. Ask questions. Get support.
📌 CAP is here to help you take the next step.

1 in 3 people in Tennessee jails need mental health support.This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing SB’s story...
05/15/2026

1 in 3 people in Tennessee jails need mental health support.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing SB’s story—because it shouldn’t take a crisis to get care.

SB was living with mental illness and a disability in jail, without the support he needed. With advocacy from Disability Rights Tennessee, things changed—not just for him, but for others too. Staff received better training. Policies improved. Care got safer.

That’s the power of advocacy.

Because people deserve to be seen.
To be supported.
To be safe—no matter where they are.

https://www.disabilityrightstn.org/one-story-big-impact-mental-health-advocacy-in-jail/

Disney is reimagining some of its most well-known animated musical moments in American Sign Language, bringing Deaf perf...
05/14/2026

Disney is reimagining some of its most well-known animated musical moments in American Sign Language, bringing Deaf performers and animators together to tell stories in a new way.

This kind of work matters. It shows what’s possible when accessibility is built into storytelling—not added on after the fact.

Representation in media shapes how people see themselves and each other. When Deaf culture and ASL are centered in creative spaces, more people can fully experience the story.

Read more: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/04/21/disney-reimagines-animated-hits-in-sign-language/31956/

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Disability Empowerment and Advocacy Luncheon (DEAL).We were honored to welco...
05/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Disability Empowerment and Advocacy Luncheon (DEAL).

We were honored to welcome Stephanie Cook as our keynote speaker. With more than 30 years of experience in disability rights, she has worked across Tennessee to help build more accessible and inclusive communities.

Her words challenged and encouraged us to keep pushing for a world where everyone has equal access and opportunity. We are grateful for her leadership and for the time she spent with our community at DEAL.

Address

2 International Plaza, Suite 825
Nashville, TN
37217

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18003421660

Website

https://linktr.ee/disabilityrightstn

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