Dear Consumers, Families and Friends of Persons with Developmental
Disabilities,

 

Your voice is needed at Town Hall
meetings across the state.

 

Last year, the state Legislature
appointed a task force to develop a plan for services to individuals with
developmental disabilities other than mental retardation. As you are most certainly aware, the
state directs millions of dollars toward programs and services for persons with
mental retardation, but there is no similar service system for
persons with other types of developmental disabilities.

 

Under state law, developmental
disabilities are defined as disabilities acquired at birth or in the
developmental stages of growth, through age 21. Along with mental retardation,
other types of developmental disabilities include cerebral palsy, autism, spina
bifida, juvenile arthritis, muscular dystrophy, and many other types of
disability that occur early in life.

 

The task force has completed its
report. It can be downloaded in pdf
format at the following link:

http://www.state.tn.us/dmrs/newsroom/announcements/DDTFReportFinal0907.pdf

 

Now, we have a tremendous opportunity to make
our voices heard in support of the recommendations for services to this
population of Tennesseans. The State Division of Mental Retardation Services is hosting a series of
Town Hall Forums across the state. A significant turnout of persons with developmental disabilities and
their families is critical to ensuring that the state understands the issues our
families are facing. Please make a
point to attend one or more of these meetings, and share this information with
all of the families you know who have family members with developmental
disabilities.

 

When you go to the meeting, make
sure you speak up, and describe your situation as clearly as possible. Here are the dates and locations
for the meetings. Meetings are 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. local time in each location.

Nashville, October
      16
Westminster Presbyterian Church
111
      No. Wilson
      Blvd., Nashville

Shelbyville, October
      17
Emergency Management Building
1304 Railroad Ave.,
      Shelbyville

Memphis, October
      23
Home Builders
      Association
776 No. Germantown
      Pkwy.,
    Cordova

Jackson, October 24
      
Holiday Inn Hotel Meeting
      Room
541 Carriage House Dr., Jackson

Chattanooga, November
      6
Orange Grove
      Cafeteria
615 Derby
      St.,
      Chattanooga

Winchester, November
      7
Franklin Co. Adult Activity Center
702 Hundred
      Oaks
      St.,
      Winchester

Kingsport, November
      13
Kingsport Renaissance
      Center
1200 East Center
      St.,
      Kingsport

Knoxville, November 14
      
U.T.
      Conference Center
600 Henley St., Suite
      400,
      Knoxville