Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities
Wanda Willis, Executive Director

Council Welcomes New Public Policy Director

The Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is delighted to welcome Tiffany Mason as our Director of Public Policy. With an extensive background in public policy, Tiffany brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about state legislative processes and policy issues to the Council.  Tiffany most recently was Governmental Affairs Advisor for Adams & Reese LLP, and prior to that worked for Smith Johnson & Carr. She has established herself as an accomplished professional with the highest integrity who is a skilled communicator, strategist and coalition builder.

 

Tiffany can be reached at tiffany.mason@tn.gov or 615-741-5019.

 

Office Move Announcement

The Council on Developmental Disabilities office has moved to a new location in downtown Nashville.  It is 2 blocks from our former location and still on James Robertson Parkway.

 

Our new address:

 

TN Council on Developmental Disabilities 
Davy Crockett Tower, 1st Floor
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243  

 

Phone numbers and email addresses will not change.

 

Register NOW for the Tennessee Disability Megaconference - May 30-31, 2013

 

 

The Council is a primary sponsor of the annual Disability MegaConference that draws over 600 professionals and private citizens from Tennessee communities to hear expert presentations on education, health, employment, housing, and other areas. Participants have opportunities to engage in discussions about issues and together explore ideas to improve services.

 

Our 2013 theme is "Deep Roots, Broad Branches and Strong Wings."

 

The Artwork Contest for the conference is now open. All artwork submitted will be displayed during the MegaConference. The contest winner will receive recognition on this website and a picutre of the winning piece will be featured on program books and t-shirts. The winner will also receive a complimentary exhibit table.

 

For more information about the conference, art contest, or registration, visit www.tndisabilitymegaconference.org.

 

Expansion of the Next Chapter Book Club project

The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) is an innovative project that provides adolescents and adults with disabilities an opportunity to read and socialize with friends. The NCBC model actively promotes literacy learning and social connectedness. The model provides many opportunities for self-advocacy as members decide which book they want to read, how they want to read the book, and how they want to structure or organize their weekly club meetings.

 

The Council is actively working towards expanding the NCBC model beyond our current 4 demonstration sites (which are listed here). If you know of anyone or any agency interested in becoming a site to begin more Next Chapter Book Clubs or an alternative but similar model of writing club called Jot It Down that features creative writing opportunities for individuals with disabilities, please contact our office or one of the 4 current demonstration sites.

 

The Council is eager to have more book and writing clubs in communities across Tennessee!

 

Special Report to the Community

 

View the Council's 2011-2012 Special Report, which describes the purpose of the Council and the work that it does throughout Tennessee. Click here to view it as a PDF.