A new statewide study about Tennessee disability information and resources led by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is available at TN Disability Survey. In preparation for a major revision of their online and in-person resources, they are seeking input from people with disabilities, parents, siblings, teachers, service providers, and all other disability professionals. They hope to hear from at least 3,000 Tennesseans on their priorities and experiences trying to find disability information and resources.

This study is a partnership between Vanderbilt University, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/UCEDD, the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Tennessee Disability Pathfinder. These agencies are collaborating with state agencies and disability groups all across the state to support this much-needed project.

Every person with a disability—and their families—should have the support and information they need to enjoy a good life in their community! This survey will tell disability organizations, programs, and schools in Tennessee the best ways to connect people to the resources they want and need. It will also support a major revision of Vanderbilt’s online disability resources next year (2021).

People in TN with disabilities, parents, siblings, teachers, service providers, and all other disability professionals are welcome to complete the survey. This survey will help these people and agencies learn how to better connect all Tennesseans to the disability information and resources they need, such as aging in place home modifications for disabled individuals. It will also help disability programs improve how they share information with families and individuals with disabilities.

Information from the survey will be used to update the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, a statewide multilingual information and referral service for disability resources operated by Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. This is one of the most important projects of the Council. This central source for disability information was created in 1997 by the Council in response to demand from families all across Tennessee who needed a way to get information about disability services including aging in place home modifications.

The survey is completely confidentially. It will be impossible to identify individuals or where they work when we talk or write about this research study. Participation is voluntary, and you may close out of the survey at any time.

If you have any questions or concerns about this study, please contact Erik Carter, Ph.D. at erik.carter@vanderbilt.edu or at (615) 875-3398.

A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) consultant can help with the design and installation of aging in place home modifications. Richard Acree is a CAPS consultant with many years of experience as a home inspector and accessibility inspector. For more information about aging in place services please see Residential Accessibility.

Please call 615-752-0060 for help with aging in place home modifications for you or your loved one.

Thank you.