2026 DISABILITY DAY ON THE HILL AND DISABILITY ADVOCACY DAY IMPACT REPORT Prepared by Hannah Kehrer // Communications Coordinator // Tennessee Disability Coalition // hannah_k@tndisability.org ADVENTURES IN ACCESS: In 2026, we embraced Adventures in Access. Life with a disability can be an isolating experience, but Disability Day on the Hill (DDH) reminds us that we don’t have to go through our journey alone. DDH is rooted in the strength of the disability community and the power of coming together to advocate, connect, and create change. Our theme for DDH 2026, Adventures in Access, reflects our ongoing journey toward full inclusion, access to care, and the supports and opportunities that allow us to thrive, not just survive. During DDH 2026, we focused on empowering Tennesseans with disabilities through advocacy and relationship-building. We invited community members to share their stories and lived experiences with their elected officials. Through these conversations and connections, advocates were able to strengthen their voices and take greater ownership of their individual advocacy journeys. Together, we continued our mission of creating a society that values, includes, and supports people with disabilities. Virtual Events included: Virtual Advocates Workshop Series Disability Advocacy Day In-Person Events included: TDC Community Party Disability Day on the Hill 2026 SPONSORS: Sponsors Make Our Adventures Possible. As the needs of our community change, so does our approach to advocacy, which means Disability Day on the Hill doesn’t always look the same year after year. However, one thing that remains true is the support from our sponsors who believe in this work and its impact. Our sponsors’ belief in our mission makes it possible to create accessible, statewide events that bring together people from every corner of Tennessee. Through their financial and resource support, they help ensure that the disability community is seen, heard, and included. In 2026, their support helped us expand DDH in meaningful ways, including providing resources for advocates and families traveling to Nashville for DDH events and creating spaces for advocates to engage, connect, and grow in their own advocacy journeys. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and continued support, which allows Disability Day on the Hill to grow and thrive each year. We encourage you to learn more about our sponsors and what makes their organizations great. Because of their support, we were able to continue sharing our Adventures in Access across Tennessee. 2026 Gold Sponsors: Hopp 2026 Silver Sponsors: Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association 2026 Bronze Sponsors: Tennessee Caregiver Coalition Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities Smoky Mountain Legacy Partners 2026 Supporting Sponsors Autism Resources of the Mid-South (ARMS) Autism Tennessee Community Development Center Disability Rights Tennessee Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee Empower Tennessee Faith Enrichment Center Inc. National Multiple Sclerosis Society NuMotion Permobil Foundation Stratus Building Solutions The Arc Tennessee TNSTEP UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Wellpoint Vanderbilt Kennedy Center VIRTUAL ADVOCATES WORKSHOP SERIES: Strengthening advocacy through education and community. As Disability Day on the Hill continues to grow each year, so does our network of advocates who come together to make their voices heard at the Capitol. This year, to help folks feel prepared and confident for DDH 2026, our Community and Family Engagement Team hosted a 4-week Virtual Advocates Workshop Series. These workshops provided an opportunity for advocates to gain a better understanding of the legislative process, build confidence when talking with lawmakers, and connect with other advocates who care about disability advocacy. Throughout the series, the workshops showed advocates what they could expect during DDH events, how to find and contact their legislators, how to track disability-related bills, how to navigate the Cordell Hull State Office Building, and how to create effective leave-behind materials for their meetings with lawmakers. In addition to these resources, one of the workshops featured a panel of previous DDH participants where folks could hear personal experiences and ask questions. These workshops not only provided helpful tips for DDH, but also helped advocates feel informed, connected, confident, and ready to take action. EVENT DETAILS: DDH 2026 Virtual Advocates Workshop Series NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: 4 DATES: January 15th, January 22nd, February 5th, and February 12th TIME: 6-7 PM CT Legislative Webinar link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ8VsQcANExxJCZRS_JCTUQEPR0QGt621&si=CIT5ROOTpzNaaedm ATTENDANCE BREAKDOWN: TOTAL LIVE ATTENDANCE: 138 ON-DEMAND VIEWS: 65 TDC COMMUNITY PARTY: Gathering together for adventures in community. The 2026 TDC Community Party was truly out of this world. On the eve of Disability Day on the Hill, the disability community gathered among the planets, the stars, and even the dinosaurs at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville, TN, for our TDC Community Party. This year brought a new venue, new experiences, and even more opportunities for connection. Throughout the evening, attendees explored exhibits, connected with friends old and new, snapped memories in the photo booth, and met with our gold and silver-level sponsors, whose support helped make the event possible. Around every corner were conversations about advocacy, laughter between friends, and the kind of joy that comes from being surrounded by a community of folks who understand what it means to live in Tennessee with a disability. While the setting may have included space exhibits and prehistoric creatures, the real stars of the night were our attendees. As the evening came to a close, the Community Party served as a powerful reminder that advocacy is not only built through policy and legislation, but through the relationships and strength we find in one another along the way. Together, we kicked off DDH 2026 grounded in community, connected by shared experiences, and ready for the advocacy adventures ahead. EVENT DETAILS: TDC Community Party DATE: February 24th, 2026 ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 350+ DISABILITY DAY ON THE HILL: Disability Day on the Hill was full of adventures. Disability Day on the Hill 2026 marked one of our largest days on the Hill to date, bringing more than 475 advocates to the Cordell Hull State Office Building to meet directly with lawmakers. While DDH typically follows a similar schedule each year, this year’s legislative calendar created unique opportunities for connection. With most House committee meetings suspended, many legislators remained in their offices throughout the day, allowing advocates more time to build relationships, share personal stories, and engage in meaningful conversations. Our DDH Advocacy Workshop, held in the Comptroller’s Volunteer Conference Room, offered advocates a dedicated space to write letters, create cards for legislators, and connect with fellow advocates. A new addition to this year's workshops was our DDH Adventure Pins, which encouraged hands-on advocacy through interactive activities and provided participants the opportunity to recognize legislators who champion disability issues. As the day progressed, the halls of Cordell Hull were filled with advocates who chose to show up, speak out, and make their voices heard. Our community’s presence served as a powerful reminder to the legislature that Tennesseans with disabilities matter. EVENT DETAILS: DISABILITY DAY ON THE HILL DATE: February 25th, 2026 MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS SCHEDULED: Over 150 ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 475+ LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: This year, the TN Disability Coalition tracked more than 100 bills during the Tennessee General Assembly with the potential to affect Tennesseans with disabilities. Together with our members and partners, we worked to oppose harmful legislation and advocate for policies that support people with disabilities and their families. Notably, several important disability-related bills championed by Tennessee Disability Coalition members passed this year. Congratulations to Tennessee Community Organizations (TNCO) on the passage of SB 2167/HB 2411, which adds TennCare representation to the Department of Disability and Aging Statewide Planning and Policy Council. This change seeks to integrate TennCare more fully into the council’s structure and mission by adding the director of long-term care services and a managed care organization representative to its membership. TN Disability Coalition member Michael Collins championed the passage of SB 1843/HB 1644, the Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sale Prohibition Act. This new law aims to prevent nitrous oxide abuse, which can cause serious neurological damage, cognitive impairment, and, in severe cases, long-term spinal cord injury. The disability community also supported HB 2188/SB 2362 to improve services and oversight for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are in or at risk of state custody. The new law seeks to strengthen collaboration between the Department of Children’s Services and the Department of Disability and Aging. Of course, not every effort resulted in passage. Some excellent bills failed to advance. To read more about this year’s legislative session and the progress of our policy priorities, follow this link to view our Legislative Wrap-Up. Link: https://tndisability.org/news/2026-tn-legislative-session-wrap-up/ Thank you to our members, partners, and advocates who stayed engaged throughout the session. Your involvement helps shape public policy and improve outcomes for Tennesseans with disabilities. DISABILITY ADVOCACY DAY: Lighting Up in Support & Solidarity for Disability Advocacy Day in Tennessee. For the sixth consecutive year, Tennessee recognized March 11th as Disability Advocacy Day, a day dedicated to honoring the achievements and ongoing advocacy efforts of the state’s 1.7 million residents with disabilities. Disability Advocacy Day serves as a homage to the strength, resilience, and collective voice of the disability community across our state. On March 11th, Tennesseans across the state showed up in “Coalition Blue” to celebrate and amplify disability advocacy. Social media lit up with messages of support and recognition, local communities hosted celebrations of their own, and several municipalities issued official Disability Advocacy Day proclamations honoring the advocates and organizations creating change in their communities. As night fell, more than a dozen landmarks across Tennessee glowed blue in celebration and solidarity with the disability community. With support from advocates, partners, local communities, and locations across Tennessee, we highlighted the achievements and impact of Tennesseans with disabilities. PARTICIPATING LANDMARKS, WEST TENNESSEE: Bass Pro Pyramid – Memphis Carl Perkins Center/City Hall – Jackson Eiffel Tower Replica – Paris Memphis International Airport – Memphis Overton Park Shell – Memphis Paris Landing State Park – Buchanan PARTICIPATING LANDMARKS, MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Adventure Science Center – Nashville Bicentennial Park Amphitheater – Nashville Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge – Nashville Nissan Stadium – Nashville Tennessee Disability Coalition – Nashville PARTICIPATING LANDMARKS, EAST TENNESSEE: Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors – Chattanooga Chattanooga Therapeutic Recreational Parks – Chattanooga Dollywood – Pigeon Forge Henley Bridge – Knoxville Liberty Tower – Chattanooga KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED: Advocating for change by staying connected. Advocacy and community go hand in hand, and digital tools played an important role in advancing our work throughout the legislative session. While we did not champion legislation of our own this year, we remained actively engaged in the work of our members, partners, and advocates across the state, supporting policy efforts that impact the lives of people with disabilities. Through social media, blog posts, and policy updates shared with thousands of advocates on our email list, we provided timely information about legislative developments, opportunities to take action, and issues affecting the disability community. These communications amplified our partners' voices and actions, connected advocates with timely resources, and created more opportunities for individuals to stay informed and engaged in the policymaking process. By sharing information and promoting opportunities for action, we strengthened a network of advocates to enhance disability rights and inclusion. Maintaining these connections and conversations deepens our understanding of our community's priorities and helps shape our future advocacy and support efforts. 2026 DDH SOCIAL BREAKDOWN: Cross-Platform Reach: 67,426 Engagement: 8,030 Full breakdown available here. Link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ifY-0bni4PMEfKvQEueLLmhCx0O1wX03/view 2026 DDH EMAIL REACH: Reach: 7,056 2026 DISABILITY ADVOCACY DAY: Community member posts: 50+ Participating Locations: 17+ STATEWIDE FACEBOOK GROUP Total Members: 1,848 Facebook group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/833590974639616 This Facebook group connects Tennesseans with disabilities, families, and allies across the state to share resources, strengthen advocacy, and stay informed on disability policy. Thank you for your partnership and participation to make DDH 2026 and Disability Advocacy Day a success! Join our email list to stay connected and engaged with disability policy, updates, and alerts in Tennessee. Link: https://tndisability.org/subscribe/ For more information please visit www.tndisability.org