Partners in Policymaking is the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities' FREE leadership and advocacy training program for adults with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities. This training provides the opportunity to learn from local and national experts about state and federal legislative processes, inclusive communities and classrooms, proven practices in housing and employment, assistive technology, and strategies for advocates and self-advoc

Every parent wants what’s best for their child. We go to great lengths to make sure our kid has access to a great education provided by qualified teachers. However, because every child is unique, our paths towards this goal may differ. Our son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half. Around that time, he began speech, occupational, and developmental therapies. Although he was getting all of these services, his therapists were unable to adequately judge his

The Chattanooga Autism Center recently relaunched the IEP/504 Caregiver Mentoring Program. It is a training and advocacy group run by caregivers of loved ones with disabilities. Its purpose is to provide information, support, and guidance to other caregivers so that they may better advocate for their own children in the educational realm. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about IEP's, 504 Plans, RTI, supports, modifications, accommodations, services, evidence-based