Self-Advocacy
Education and Early Intervention

For self-advocates and families:

• Transition Tennessee offers online and in-person resources to prepare transition-age youth with disabilities for life after high school.
• Next Steps at Vanderbilt, a four-year inclusive higher education program at Vanderbilt University for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; also see Next Steps Summer Institute.
• ThinkCollege, a national website that lists higher education programs in Tennessee and other states that have programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Postsecondary Pathways for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ⤓ (printable resource), a guide produced by Project Support and Include of Vanderbilt University.
• The Vanderbilt Consortium LEND trains health professionals to better serve children and adults with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. In the past, eligible self-advocates have participated in the training program.
• Take part in research to help others with and without disabilities.
• Volunteer Advocacy Project, trains individuals to become special education advocates so they can provide instrumental and effective support to families of children with disabilities in Tennessee.

For graduate students and professionals:

• The Vanderbilt Consortium LEND prepares graduate-level health professionals in 15 professions to assume leadership roles to serve children and adults with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. LEND trainees learn the importance of promoting and teaching self-advocacy.
• The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) collaborates with University of Tennessee College of Social Work to provide field placements for MSSW candidates. The social work trainees learn the importance of promoting and teaching self-advocacy, and work with self-advocates and faculty to meet learning objectives. Contact Carol Rabideau.
• Vanderbilt Reading Clinic trains tutors from five or more disciplines to teach reading skills and help children with reading challenges find their voices in advocating for themselves.
• Volunteer Advocacy Project, trains individuals to become special education advocates so they can provide instrumental and affective support to families of children with disabilities in Tennessee.

For all (Educating and Advocating):

• Educate to Advocate is an annual training for students, researchers, health care professionals, service providers, educators, individuals with disabilities, and family members that provides information and tools to promote disability policy advocacy.
• Disability Day on the Hill is an opportunity to meet with state legislators at the Capitol to talk about issues important to individuals with disabilities and their families.

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