Statements

Mission

We bring together organizations and individuals across the state who care about the Disability Community to work in coalition. Our collective mission is to create a society that values, includes and supports people with disabilities.

Background

Seven disability advocacy groups founded the Coalition for Tennesseans with Disabilities in 1989. Their goal was to work to assure that Tennesseans with disabilities had access to home and community-based services. We started small but grew rapidly as other organizations joined the effort to make a difference in Tennessee. Passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 sparked a new era of enthusiasm and commitment to promoting self -determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of community life. During the 1990's Coalition membership grew to more than 60 organizations that worked together to promote compliance with the ADA, more public awareness of disability issues, and progressive public policy. Those efforts that organized people with disabilities, their families, and the organizations they operate, resulted in important public policy successes. As a result of superior management and outcomes the Coalition has been recruited to develop a number of specific programs aligned with our mission. In every case a board of directors comprised of a representative of each member group made the decision about the Coalition's goals and projects. Today the Coalition operates four programs in addition to our main systems change efforts. These include a state-wide ADA training and technical assistance network, Family Voices of Tennessee-a family run center for children with special health care needs, Brain Links, and 'WorkABLE" - Work Incentives Planning and Assistance to help those who want to return to the workforce. From a single staff person in a donated office, the Coalition has grown to a stable and strong agency with 28 employees who work across the state. The main office in Nashville is part of a disability cooperative. Established by the Coalition in 1997, the cooperative provides office space and services to other independent disability groups. Not only does this result in financial efficiencies, it provides an important synergy brought about by deliberate and strategic coordination.

Impact

Our motto is 'The lifting power of many wings can achieve twice the distance of flying alone.' The Coalition's greatest strength comes from working in collaboration with other advocacy and disability groups as we advocate for public policies that promote equal opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living for children and adults with disabilities. This year we are celebrating the passage of legislation to increase health access for children with significant disabilities or complex medical needs. The "Katie Beckett" program was funded with 27 million state dollars that will be matched to make a total of 76 million dollars available to serve approximately 3000 children. This will change their lives and the lives of their families. The Coalition organized and supported thousands of families and friends to campaign for this program. Our new Brain Links program completed its first year with the production of brain injury education and training materials for health and education professionals who serve individuals with TBI. Four hundred and ninety nine professionals received training this year.Internally, the Coalition has strengthened its governance by successfully completing a transition to a new board and membership structure. This included a shift to an elected board rather than a large board made up of representatives of each member agency. We established a new membership congress to drive strategic planning and to support collaborative efforts. We have successfully strengthened our capacity for communications and fundraising. We held our first ever fundraising event this year meeting our goal of raising $90,000 as well as increasing public awareness and building support for our mission.Our primary public policy goal for the current year is to positively impact the implementation of the "Katie Beckett" program through administrative advocacy and community organizing. Passing legislation is only the first step to building a successful program. Additionally, we plan to work on expanding access to telehealth services for individuals with disabilities, especially those in rural areas.The current year, FY19-20 is an important election year. Through our REVupTN (Register, Educate, Vote) campaign we plan to significantly increase voter engagement in our community. This non-partisan campaign is designed to increase voter registration for people with disabilities, their families and allies. It is also designed to educate voters on the importance of civic engagement, as well as on relevant disability issues. The major goal of the campaign is to increase the number of disability voters who cast ballots in the 2020 election and to close the voting gap between disabled and non-disabled voters. Internally, Our goal for this year is to establish a volunteer management process. We have had much success with volunteers, but lack a consistent and efficient way to manage and use them.

CEO Statement

Thirty three years ago, I jumped at the chance to be a part of an experiment - connecting with others to build an alliance of disparate groups working together for the good of all. We stumbled onto 'collective impact' before it had a name. The Coalition became a backbone organization for work to improve the lives of Tennesseans with disabilities and their families. It is a rarity in the disability world. It is one of a few state-wide, cross-disability organizations in our nation. Our unique position gives us the flexibility to serve people with disabilities in three unique ways. 1) A Place to Call Home. There is an incredible diversity of smaller family-based, consumer-driven disability groups. Often these groups start informally with a handful of people dedicated to a particular issue or disability. Sometimes they go it alone for years with no connection to a state or national affiliate for support. The Coalition's unique status a makes it an ideal home for groups large and small. As a result, the Coalition provides a place for us to work together and share information in order to solve the complex problems facing our community. 2) A Helping Hand. At one time or another, all organizations struggle. For larger groups it is easier to ride out those difficult times, but smaller groups with such promise can be lost forever. The Coalition can and has reached out to new or struggling organizations by providing financial and technical assistance to help them get on their feet. Only a strong statewide cross-disability organization can provide this unique benefit. 3)A Strong Advocate. Collectively member agencies can identify problems, and collectively address them. Rather than take an individual approach, we can use a process to identify and apply solutions, collectively advocate and achieve outcomes that would not be individually available. Working in coalition enhances the credibility and influence of our advocacy campaigns, helps to develop new leadership skills among our members and consumers, and strengthens our member organizations.

Board Chair Statement

As Board Chairperson for Tennessee Disability Coalition, I am proud of the organization's success especially with respect to some of the challenges it faces. The diversity of the population for which it advocates and serves - individuals with disabilities and family members of all ages and all types of disabilities - can present challenges in pursuing different interests and priorities. How do they keep everyone working together considering various perspectives and goals? The Coalition has been successful in addressing this challenge by building and sustaining long-term partnerships with the disability community and beyond (like minded and related social and human services groups). Based on its membership structure, the Coalition gives all partners a "seat at the table" in planning, decision making, and advocacy. Our Board of Directors also includes a diverse group of individuals that include individuals with disabilities, family members, and professionals who represent various types of disabilities and parts of the state, so that we can provide valuable guidance in the change that the Coalition strives to achieve. Due to the quantity of needs, competing interests, and limited resources, the Coalition also faces challenges in setting priorities and making choices about the focus of their work. The depth of knowledge and experience that Board and staff leadership possess contribute to the Coalition's success in addressing this challenge. Based on its 30-year history, the Coalition also has long institutional knowledge and relationships relative to state government, services, and systems. Its deep roots in the community allow the Coalition to keep a strong pulse on needs and interests that they purposefully choose to address. The ever-changing political landscape makes it difficult for the Coalition to have an impact because they must continuously anticipate or react to the changes. This requires flexibility and resourcefulness to not only adapt to the changes, but also make the best of them. The most recent example of the Coalition's success in meeting and overcoming this challenge involved the strategic effort to engage the community that generated more than 56,000 engagements in support of Katie Beckett program.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Human Services  - Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations
Secondary Category:	Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy  - Disabled Persons' Rights
Tertiary Category:	Public & Societal Benefit  - Alliances & Advocacy

Areas Served

We are a state-wide organization with constituents in every county.

TN