President's Corner

Please take time to read up on the cuts of DMRS funds. Sign the petition to help our children and adults that are  on the DRMS wavior keep their services OT, PT, and speech and to keep staff in their homes and safe from harm.
http://www.gopetition.com/online/16474.html

Meet your Elected Representatives and State Policymakers

An opportunity for persons with developmental disabilities other than mental retardation and your family members to meet personally with your elected representatives and policymakers in state government

Purpose of the Meetings

The purpose of these meetings is to inform state policymakers about the needs of their constituents with specific types of developmental disabilities, and to share information about “Fulfill the Promise,” the report recently delivered by the legislatively appointed Task Force on Developmental Disabilities.

Click here for directions and to RSVP

Who should attend?

Individuals with developmental disabilities other than mental retardation, and their family members or caregivers.  Types of disabilities included in this group are cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, and other severe disabilities acquired at birth or in the developmental years of life (prior to age 22). Click here for a list of legislators and policymakers who have been invited.  If you do not see your representative(s) on the list, please forward information about this meeting to them immediately if you plan to attend and you wish to speak to them.

Why is this Meeting Necessary?

Persons with developmental disabilities other than mental retardation do not currently have a “home” in Tennessee state government, nor is there a service system established to address their specific needs. Because there is no existing network in place for citizens to communicate needs within state government, this meeting provides a way for citizens to address concerns directly with policymakers.

Questions and Answers

How do I get information about the Fulfill the Promise report?

Go to:   www.fulfillthepromise.org

Can you promise that my elected officials will attend this meeting?

While all the policymakers on the list have been invited, we obviously cannot force anyone to attend. The best way to engage policymakers is to let them know that their constituents (and voters!) will be there to talk to them. You can help by making a phone call, or by sending a letter or email to the policymakers you most want to talk to, and personally ask that they attend.  Click here for a sample letter. 

How do I know who my state legislators are?

Get your voter registration card. Look at the back of the card to get the number of your state house and state senate districts.

To find your State Senator, go to: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/senate/members/smembers.htm#Find

At the bottom of the page, you can find your senator by entering your senate district number

To find your State Representative, go to:

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/house/members/hmembers.htm#Find

At the bottom of the page, you can find your representative by entering your house district number

If you aren’t registered to vote, we will have voter registration materials at the meeting. 

What about local and federal government officials?

Local government officials are welcome to attend.  However, it is important to understand that disability policy in Tennessee is defined at the state level.  Disability services are also impacted to a great extent by federal policy, therefore we have invited representatives from federal offices, as well.