Individual Advocacy Services
Helping individuals find their voiceThe Arc Tennessee has a team of experienced advocates that work directly with individuals to solve problems, connect them to resources, develop advocacy skills, or assist with a wide array of specific needs. Individual advocacy services are designed to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in understanding their rights and identifying opportunities to pursue and achieve their dreams. Our overall goal is to empower individuals to effectively advocate for themselves. Individual advocacy services are free to individuals and families. The Arc Tennessee can provide information when legal issues are involved, but The Arc Tennessee does not provide legal advocacy services when legal issues are involved. The Arc Tennessee does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin or limited English proficiency.
Our Advocates can help you:
- Understand and apply for government programs such as TennCare, Katie Beckett, ECF CHOICES, SSI, SSDI, and Vocational Rehabilitation
- Learn about and accessing community employment and career pathways
- Develop relationships within the community and using resources and supports that may already exist
- Learn about guardianship and alternatives to guardianship, including supported decision-making
- Become a Self-Advocate and connecting to Self-Advocates groups such as People First Tennessee
Supporting individuals with:
- Quality of Life (Human Rights, financial, dispute resolution)
- Service Access (Educational resources, service denials, quality of services)
- Health and Safety
- Conservatorship/Family/Circle of Support concerns
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Legal Resources
Please note: The Arc Tennessee is prohibited from acting in a representative capacity, drawing up legal documents, or mediating legal disputes. The Arc Tennessee is able to provide information regarding legal resources and being present with an individual during legal meetings.
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As advocates, we work to ensure a good quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Advocacy honors and facilitates self-empowerment, self-determination, choice and dignity.
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As advocates, we help teach individuals to speak up for themselves in order to lead a productive, fulfilling life. Many times this can be done by keeping an individual from harm or assist with finding a job.