The Tennessee Disability MegaConference is Tennessee’s largest disability-specific conference for individuals with disabilities, families, and professionals.  At the conference, people share the latest information and innovations on many topics including housing, employment, education, health care, recreation and leisure, mental health, and others.  Continuing education credits are offered in many categories.  People attending make new friends and important connections as everyone works together to encourage the full participation of all people with disabilities in their own lives!

Employment Idol! A fan-voted employment video contest! Click HERE to read more about it and how to participate!

Music is not just heard, it is felt with the heart. Amy Stockard provides insightful interpretation of music through her language as she hears with her heart. Deaf since birth, she has never let the lack of sounds prevent her from feeling and expressing what music means to her. Make plans to come and watch her perform a song during Thursday's luncheon.

Ben Liske to Perform at Exhibitors Reception - Passionate about music, art, advanced mathematics and general academics, golf, architectural design, and weather—just to name a few interests—11 year-old Ben Liske is a well-rounded kind of guy. Ben was diagnosed with autism and probable cognitive deficits at the age of 23 months. Today, thanks to intensive early intervention and an intrinsic drive to overcome obstacles, Ben is accelerated two full general academic grade levels, five grade levels in mathematics, and will begin high school at University School of Nashville. Ben views himself as a “twice-exceptional, neuro-diverse” individual and is thankful for the ongoing love and support of the Nashville Community.

The Art Contest Winner is Laura Hudson! Laura enjoys making her drawings come to life with details of nature and surroundings. She is glad to share her art with friends and family. Laura accepts requests from friends helping them create artwork. Laura started drawing actively while a patient at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute in their rehabilitative art program. She has shown artwork in the Healing Arts Project, Inc. exhibitions since 2004 and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center “Creative Expressions” exhibition. Her picture “Tennessee Symbols” was the theme picture for the 2008 Tennessee Disability MegaConference. She was one of the artists featured in 2010 at Scarritt Bennett Gallery f “Eleven Visionaries and One Submarine.” She is also included in the book “Challenged Lives, Artistic Vision” published by the Healing Arts Project, Inc. The “Tree Frog” has chosen an independent life, empowered by his free spirit. Tree Frog will be featured on the cover of the 2012 program guide and t-shirts!

Announcing MegaMarketplace where self-advocate entrepreneurs are given free exhibit space to showcase or sell artwork, crafts, services and goods. All profits earned belong to the self-advocates participating, not to agencies. MegaMarketplace will be Thursday, May 31 from 12:30 to 1:45 pm in the Chattanooga and Knoxville Rooms. To participate you must register by clicking HERE. To download the MegaMarketplace flyer in word click HERE.

Notice to Stipend Applicants: You should have received your notification of approval or denial by April 20th. If you did not receive a notification by this date, please contact Francisca Guzman at 615.298.1080, ext. 126.

Sports 4 All will be having a two-day Project HEALTH Instructor Certification workshop in conjunction with the MegaConference on Friday and Saturday, June 1-2. It will prepare attendees to pass exams to receive certification to lead Project HEALTH classes. Participants must have First Aid/CPR Certification. The cost is $350. To register for it click HERE.

The temperature of meeting rooms throughout the conference center will be set at 72 degrees. Please dress accordingly and if you are cold-natured, dress in layers and bring a sweater or jacket.

Photographs and videos will be taken throughout the conference. Attendance constitutes permission to use images of those at the event on this website, by sponsoring disability agencies and in other promotional materials.

This conference is FRAGRANCE FREE!  Please refrain from using perfumes, colognes, or scented personal products in consideration of people with chemical sensitivities.

Tennessee Disability MegaConference