Screening Tools
Substance Abuse Screenings in Tennessee (SBIRT-TN) Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment: SBIRT is a substance abuse screening and referral to treatment initiative. It is patient-centered and offers education and early intervention to identify and address substance misuse in primary care settings. Patients are asked about their substance use confidentially.
Institute for Research, Education & Training in Addictions (IRETA) SBIRT Toolkit
University of Washington Substance Use Screening & Assessments Instrument Database
NASHIA’s OBISSS (Online Brain Injury Screening and Support System)
Ohio State University TBI Identification Method – a screening tool for Brain Injury
Crisis Intervention Tools
Tennessee Adult Protective Services 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or you can text to 988; 988lifeline.org to chat with someone.
Continuum of Crisis Services and 988 2-minute informational video
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then Press 1; or text 838255.
NAMI Blog: How to Help Someone in Crisis
NAMI Warning Signs and Symptoms
211 Helpline | Get Connected. Get Help. (unitedwaygreaternashville.org): The 211 Helpline is a 24/7 365-day information and referral help line that provides individuals in need with help in times of crisis and beyond.
SAMHSA National Helpline: Confidential free help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information. 1-800-662-4357
Tennessee REDLINE: 24/7/365 resource for substance abuse treatment referrals. Anyone can call or text 800-889-9789 for confidential referrals.
TN Statewide Crisis Phone Line: 24 hours/365 days; a free resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis; provides support, guidance and appropriate community supports. (855-274-7471)
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262.
Some Important Milestones In The Disability Rights Movement
Rehabilitation Act of 1973: The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. This was the first major legislative effort to secure equal access for people with disabilities.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975: A law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990: The ADA is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against disabled people in all areas of public life. Disability rights are civil rights. From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects people with disabilities.
TBI Act (1996) At the time, the TBI Act was the only federal legislation that specifically addressed TBI prevention, research, and service delivery through grants to states that were originally administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The key federal agencies involved are: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Administration of Community Living (ACL).
People First of Tennessee, U.S. Department of Justice vs. Tennessee, Greene Valley, Clover Bottom and Nat. T Winston Developmental Centers. (1996) In 1995, Greene Valley, Clover Bottom and Nat. T Winston Developmental Centers were the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and a lawsuit was brought by advocates for people with disabilities over conditions at the three institutions. After two decades of work to improve the state’s service delivery system, all parties agreed to an Exit Plan in January 2015, which included the closure of GVDC. Testimonials: https://www.mouthmag.com/peoplefirst.htm
Olmstead v. L.C. (1999): This Supreme Court ruling affirmed the rights of individuals with disabilities to live in their communities rather than be institutionalized.
National Websites
Wrightslaw.com Parents, advocates, teachers, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for reliable, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Association on Higher Education and Disability AHEAD is the leading professional membership association for individuals committed to equity for persons with disabilities in higher education.
College Living Experience (CLE) helps people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), NVLD, dyslexia and other disabilities gain the skills they need to become independent.
Brain Injury Association of America: As the voice of brain injury, we improve the quality of life of people affected by brain injury across their lifespan through advancing prevention, awareness, research, treatment, education, and advocacy.
ADA Live! is a free monthly show broadcast nationally on the Internet. Learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Southeast ADA Center: Information, Guidance and Training on the Americans with Disabilities Act
Job Accommodation Network (JAN): JAN provides the following A to Z listings by disability, topic, and limitation. This information is designed to help employers and individuals determine effective accommodations and comply with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
State Resources
The Tennessee Disability Coalition Tennessee Disability Coalition is an alliance of organizations and individuals joined to promote the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. To support this mission, the Coalition offers the following programs:
Public Policy Program
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program
Family Voices of Tennessee
WorkAble TN
Brain Links
Discretionary Small Grants Program
2024 Tennessee Disability Score Card: Tennessee Disability Coalition’s ratings of Tennessee’s policies, practices, opportunities, and outcomes for residents with disabilities.
Disability Etiquette Guide: Etiquette suggestions for interacting with people with disabilities.
Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee (SILC) The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is an independent nonprofit governed by people with disabilities. Our goal is to advance advocacy and independence for Tennesseans with disabilities by collaborating with all interested parties. We believe that people with disabilities are the best experts on their needs.
Centers for Independent Living Across Tennessee
TRI-STATE RESOURCE AND ADVOCACY CORPORATION Chattanooga
DisAbility Resource Center Knoxville
Empower Tennessee Nashville
T.A.R.P. Center for Independent Living Paris
Jackson Center for Independent Living Jackson
Disability Connection Midsouth Memphis
TennCare Learn about and apply for Medicaid services in Tennessee.
Tennessee Department of Human Services, Disability Services
Vocational Rehabilitation: (VR) Services which help individuals with disabilities get, keep, or advance in a job.
Office locator across Tennessee: Vocational Rehabilitation Regional Offices, Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers, and Tennessee Technology Access Centers
TN Disability Pathfinder – statewide database of services including everything from social service agencies to low-income medical clinics to recreational programs.
Tennessee Department of Health, Adult Protective Services (APS) staff investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of adults who are unable to protect themselves due to a physical or mental limitation. APS staff assess the need for protective services and provide services to reduce the identified risk to the adult. For additional information, download our brochure.
Disability Rights Tennessee: DRT is Tennessee’s Protection & Advocacy Network and has served—at no cost—more than 50,000 clients with disabilities. Our mission is to protect the rights of Tennesseans with disabilities. Factsheet: Effective communication in medical settings
TNSTEP – Special Education support for Tennessee Families. As Tennessee’s Parent Training and Information Center, we are dedicated to supporting families of children and youth with disabilities who are navigating special education services and youth who are transitioning from high school into adulthood. We provide accurate, timely, and relevant information and training related to special education rights, equal access to quality education, and connections to community resources.
A Guide to Long-Term Services and Supports in Tennessee
Infographics & Factsheets
Tennessee Disability Coalition Disability Etiquette Guide
Your Rights Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults with Disabilities
Adults with Disabilities: Ethnicity and Race
Disability & Health U.S. State Profile Data for Tennessee
Trainings
TN Businesses for the Better 101 Presentation
Southeast ADA Center 4-part webinar series The History of Disabilities
Articles
The Neglect of Persons with Severe Brain Injury in the United States: An International Human Rights Analysis by Ezer, Wright and Fins, Health and Human Rights Journal. June 2020.
Adaptive Fitness: Wellness for People with Disabilities Through Exercise
SAMHSA Advisory on Preventing Substance Use Among Young Adults with Disabilities
Disability Wellness
Brain Health: How to Have a Healthy Brain Throughout Life: research-based tips for creating a healthy brain, regardless of age.
Videos
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution: A 2020 documentary about disability rights.
Support Groups And Related Groups
Tennessee Brain Injury Virtual Support Group Zoom meetings – held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. For more information regarding meetings, call the TBI Program Hotline at 1-800-882-0611. Access the statewide Zoom link and to learn more about support group meetings in your region.
Empower Tennessee Peer Groups Empower Tennessee’s peer groups are here to empower these people to live the lives they imagine. Peer group members rave about how much they enjoy the wisdom and humor shared with them about all subjects related to living and thriving with a disability
Caregiver Resources
Tennessee Caregiver Coalition https://tncaregiver.org/
National Family Caregiver Support Program – https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.
National Respite Locator Service: https://archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/respitelocator/
CDC: Healthy Habits: Caring for Yourself When Caring for Another
Family Caregiver Alliance Support Group This online group is in e-mail format. Participants send and receive e-mail to take part in discussions. You can receive your posts all together, in one delivery each day, or you can receive them one-by-one, as they are sent. The choice is yours. It’s fun, easy, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Family Caregiver Alliance Resources for Caregivers
Practical Caregiving Tips
Self-Care for Family Caregivers
Writing a Personal Care Agreement
Working Successfully with Dementia
Helping You Understand Dementia Behaviors