Why You Should NOT Welcome My Special Needs Child to Your Church

“The truth is, I wish you would welcome my special needs child to your church, but for many, there is a work to be done first. Please check your heart and the heart of your church. There are families slipping through the cracks…90% of special needs families to be exact. The Church has a great…

Federal Support for Inclusive Early Childhood Programs

“The “Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs,” released jointly by the Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on September 14, 2015, states that all young children with disabilities should have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs, where they are provided with individualized and appropriate…

Occupational Diploma Information Sheet

 From the Disability Coalition on Education… OCCUPATIONAL DIPLOMA INFORMATION SHEET What is the Occupational Diploma? The Occupational Diploma is one of three diploma options for students graduating/exiting high school; the other two options include a regular high school diploma (full diploma) or a special education diploma The Occupational Diploma IS NOT the equivalent of a…

Transition School

“UDS Transition School helps high school students with a range of disabilities prepare for the future. We teach life skills that enable them to live more independently, better informed and with greater confidence in their abilities. The knowledge gained at the Transition School empowers these young adults to find competitive employment and become contributing members…

Camp Barnabas

Camp Barnabas is a unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to people with special needs and to their siblings. The program exists to offer life-changing experiences to campers and to the people who serve them. Utilizing the camp venue, our organization provides ministry and social experiences that increase spiritual knowledge and increase human dignity to…

Southeastern Orthotics & Prosthetics

“Southeastern offers orthotics of all types for both upper and lower extremities. Additionally, spinal orthotics, which require custom fabrication, are a specialty of Southeastern Orthotics and Prosthetics. Our orthotists have many years of experience and can make appliances for virtually any needed application. Southeastern Orthotics and Prosthetics’ highly trained staff has been addressing the prosthetic…

Tennessee Association of Microboards & Cooperatives

“A microboard is a small group of committed family and friends who join together with an individual with a disability to create a non-profit organization.” “Microboards and Cooperatives provide natural supports to the individuals who are the focus of their collective energy.  They can also become providers of services under Tennessee’s Home and Community Based…

VITA – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

During tax season each year, the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga coordinates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in partnership with the City of Chattanooga, the IRS, and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. Offering free tax preparation services to low- to moderate-income individuals and families.  Find tax site locations, what to bring, tax…

CARTA – Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority

“CARTA Care-A-Van service is available to residents and visitors in CARTA’s service area who due to injury, illness or functional incapacity of a temporary or permanent nature, are unable to use CARTA’s fixed route transit vehicles. Care-A-Van service requires an application and physician’s statement to verify eligibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act…