Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee

10/22/2026

What Is an Invisible Disability?

Invisible disabilities aren't always visible. A person may seem healthy while facing challenges that impact daily life, work, or social interactions.

These disabilities can be physical, mental, neurological, or cognitive, and experiences vary for each individual. Examples include:
🧠 Mental health: Depression, anxiety, PTSD.
💙 Chronic illnesses: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus.
🧩 Neurological: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, brain injury effects.
📚 Learning/developmental: ADHD, dyslexia, autism.
🩺 Other conditions: Diabetes, Crohn’s disease, certain heart issues.

Key points to remember:
🔸 You can't always tell if someone has a disability by appearance.
🔸 Invisible disabilities may affect energy, focus, memory, and daily activities.
🔸 Needs can fluctuate daily.
🔸 Everyone deserves kindness and respect without needing to prove their disability.

Learn more from @@3724229695017405389997843 : https://invisibledisabilities.org/what-is-an-invisible-disability/

10/21/2026

Fall may be in the air, but Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, home of Tennessee softball, was buzzing with excitement last Wednesday night as the Lady Vols hosted the League of Angels on Rocky Top. This Knoxville-based organization is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals with special needs through baseball and softball.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – Fall may be in the air, but Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, home of Tennessee softball, was the place to be Wednesday evening as the Lady Vols welcomed the League of Angels to Rocky Top. The Knoxville-based organization aims to make an impact in the lives of people with specia...

10/20/2026

Public Meeting Announcement

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee (SILCTN) will hold its next quarterly meeting:

📅 Friday, November 20, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM–12:00 PM CT
📍 Fairfield by Marriott Nashville Bellevue
7636 Highway 70 South, Nashville, TN 37221

💻 Hybrid option available via Zoom
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and calendar hold.

For accommodations or accessibility needs, contact SILCTN as soon as possible. Requests should be submitted at least 30 days before the meeting when possible.

Info - https://www.silctn.org/q1---november-20th-2026.html

10/19/2026

📣 FREE TN-CEC WEBINAR SERIES!

Join us Thursday, October 29 for:

IEPs as Tools for Advocacy: Where Relationships Meet Responsibility

Presenters Keishana L. Barnes, PhD, and Lasheba W. Hilliard, Ed.D. will lead a conversation about IEPs, advocacy, family engagement, educational systems, culturally responsive teaching, behavior, classroom management, transition planning, and inclusive education for students with disabilities.

🗓 Thursday, October 29
⏰ 3:30–4:30 p.m. CDT | 4:30–5:30 p.m. EDT
💻 FREE webinar

Scan the QR code on the flyer or register here: https://forms.gle/d8zGxSwaPxGtZ7KG6

Please share with colleagues who may be interested. We hope to see you there!

10/19/2026

Memphis/Cordova Area - You're invited to this free community event for children (birth to age 5), their families, and their supporters!

Come out for fun, resources, activities, and prizes on 10/24 from 10:00 - 1:00 at Bert Ferguson Park Pavilion! The goal of this event is to bring people together, strengthen support systems, and empower families with knowledge and the resources they need to succeed!

Stop by the TNSTEP booth to say hello, grab resources, and learn more about how we support families and youth with disabilities across the state.

Sponsored by Rehab at Your Place, an early intervention agency supporting children birth-5 with developmental disabilities and their families.

10/19/2026

October is Health Literacy Month!

MyHealthfinder is a free tool from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that connects people with easy-to-understand information about preventive health services.

MyHealthfinder can help you find information about:
🔹 Recommended health screenings
🔹 Vaccines and immunizations
🔹 Preventive care
🔹 Healthy living and wellness

The tool provides personalized recommendations based on information such as age and s*x, helping you understand which preventive services may be right for you.

Making health information easier to understand can help you make informed decisions about your health. 💙

Learn more: MyHealthfinder - https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder

Use MyHealthfinder to get personalized preventive health recommendations and stay on top of screenings, vaccines, and healthy habits.

10/18/2026

At Knoxville’s Community Health Fair and Fun Festival, hosted by the disABILITY Resource Center October 9, community organizations highlighted disability resources, inclusion, and the challenges people with disabilities continue to face.

🔗

A Knoxville health fair brought together adaptive technology, community resources and activities for people of all abilities, while a former Disney on Ice performer shared how she continues pursuin…

10/17/2026

STAR Center receives generous donation from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging

One local non-profit was gifted a generous donation from a state department Friday.

10/16/2026

Meet Everett Kinkade, a 7-year-old from Knoxville, Tennessee, who is inspiring others despite living with Down syndrome, a heart defect, and serious medical challenges.

After spending around 500 days in the hospital, Everett continues to find joy in being a kid. Now, he’s shining on a Times Square billboard as an ambassador for Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.

His story reminds us that disability does not define a person’s worth, potential, or ability to bring joy to others. Every child deserves inclusion, compassion, and the opportunity to shine.

🔗

A Knoxville 7-year-old who has endured hundreds of days in the hospital is now helping inspire others through his role as an ambassador for Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.

10/15/2026

October is Blindness Awareness Month & October 15 is White Cane Safety Day!

This month raises awareness about blindness and low vision, promotes understanding, and celebrates the independence and contributions of people with vision loss.

The American Foundation for the Blind explains that low vision and legal blindness are not the same as having no vision. People experience vision loss in different ways, and understanding these differences helps challenge misconceptions and encourage inclusion.

Learn more at American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) - https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/eye-conditions/low-vision-and-legal-blindness-terms-and-descriptions

White Cane Safety Day recognizes the white cane as an important tool for independence, mobility, and safe travel for people who are blind or have low vision.

Learn more at National Federation of the Blind -https://nfb.org/programs-services/blind-equality-achievement-month/white-cane-awareness-day

Let's celebrate the independence and accomplishments of people who are blind or have low vision and help create safer, more accessible communities for everyone!

Low Vision and Legal Blindness Terms and Descriptions Facts about Low Vision Visual Acuity and Low Vision A Functional Definition of Low Vision Low Vision vs. Legal Blindness Using Low Vision Optical and Non-Optical Devices Visual Impairment Light Perception and Light Projection Total Blindness Most...