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)

 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

 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

 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

 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

 What resources (existing and potential) are available to create them? Not Enough

 Website: ◦ More about TASA ◦ Resources – links to self-advocacy related websites

 Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Self-Advocacy Organizations and Programs

 Partners in Policymaking & Self-Advocacy Online

 Website: ◦ Calendar of Self-Advocacy Related Events

 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?

 Self-Advocate Survey ◦ ◦ 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?  Are you on Facebook? Connect with us!

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If you would like to become involved in TASA or know someone who would, please contact: Megan Hart (615)