Disability Action Network

Today, Tuesday, January 31, at 2:30 pm CT at Legislative Plaza Room 31 in Nashville and online, Jim Dickson will address the impact of Tennessee's Photo ID to vote law on the disability community.

Our honored speaker is the Vice President of Organizing and Civic Engagement for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Disability Vote Project, and member of the Board of Advisors for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. 

Jim Dickson leads AAPD's nonpartisan Disability Vote Project, a broad coalition of 36 national disability-related organizations whose mission is to close the political participation gap for people with disabilities. The project focuses on voter registration and education, get-out-the-vote drives, election reform and polling place access. Mr. Dickson played a central role with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (LCCRH) effort to pass the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

For more information go to: http://www.aapd.com/what-powers-us/our-team/staff/jim-dickson.html) 

Watch online for free through a live stream at:

http://www.livestream.com/tncitizenaction.

Join Our Call to Action Day!

Ensure that Governor Bill Haslam's office understands the value of the Family Support Program to your family, and why it deserves funding in the next fiscal year. 

Between 9:00-11:00am Friday, January 13th call (615) 741-2001 to share your concerns and request that the governor do everything necessary to fund the Family Support Program in the next fiscal year.

For more information contact Sandra Hawkins at 901-327-2473 or shawkins@thearcmidsouth.org 

Sample Script for families that are a part of the Family Support Program:

Good Morning, my name is (your name),

I am a resident of (Name of County), and would like to speak to Governor Haslam or one of his staff about the Family Support Program. 

I was recently made aware that in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, the Family Support Budget has not received funding. This would greatly affect my family and many others who have a family member with a disability. The program helps me (explain in a few words how the program helps you and your family member). 

The Family Support Program has been a lifeline to me, and I am asking that you consider my family and the nearly 4,500 Tennesseans that would lose our services if Family Support does not receive funding, and work to include it in the state budget for next year. Thank you.

Sample Script for advocates of the Family Support Program:

Good Morning, my name is (your name),

I am a resident of (Name of County), and would like to speak to Governor Haslam or one of his staff about the Family Support Program. 

I was recently made aware that in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, the Family Support Budget has not been funded- eliminating services for nearly 4,500 Tennessee Families who have a member with a disability. 

The Family Support Program is a cost-effective program providing services that help keep individuals with disabilities in their homes and communities for about $4.47 per day. The support that this program provides families keeps them together, preventing institutionalization of their member with a disability- which is also the much more expensive alternative.

I ask that you consider the nearly 4,500 Tennesseans who would lose their services if Family Support does not receive funding, and work to include it in the state budget for next year. Thank you.