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Tennessee Allies in Self-Advocacy (TASA):
Promoting Self-Advocacy Across the State
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)
What is Self-Advocacy?
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
Historical Recap
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
Summit Discussion Recap
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
Since the Summit…
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
Self-Advocacy Resource Centers
What resources (existing and potential) are available to create them?
Not Enough
Self-Advocacy Resource Centers
Website: http://tnselfadvocacy.org◦More about TASA◦Resources – links to self-advocacy related websites
Other Resources
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Self-Advocacy Organizations and Programs
Website Resources
Partners in Policymaking & Self-Advocacy Online
Website Resources
Website: http://tnselfadvocacy.org◦Calendar of Self-Advocacy Related Events
Website Resources
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?
Website Resources
Self-Advocate Survey◦ https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=5bAqvk◦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!
Where do we go from here?
Are you on Facebook? Connect with us!
Sign up for our email list serve
Stay in touch with us!
Questions?
If you would like to become involved in TASA or know someone who would, please contact:
Megan Hart(615) 875-5082
Seeking Additional Feedback
