The resources within this section offer information related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the educational services that they provide.
Nashville, TN - The Education Rights Project provides training to parents, students, attorneys, physicians and mental health providers in Special Education Law and School Discipline Law.
Locations: Clarksville; Columbia; Cookeville; Gallatin; Murfreesboro; Nashville; Oak Ridge; Tullahoma, TN- The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands supports the mission to advance, defend, and enforce the legal rights of low-income and vulnerable people in order to secure for them the basic necessities of life. They are Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm that takes a comprehensive approach to providing free, civil legal services and community education for people to protect their livelihoods, their health, and their families. They also offer information on 504 Plans.
Johnson City, TN - NAPPE is an education advocacy organization that trains professionals and families on implementing inclusive practices. They also offer consultations with educators on inclusion in the classroom.
Nashville, TN - The Volunteer Advocacy Project within the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center trains interested individuals to become special education advocates so they can provide instrumental and affective support to families of children with disabilities.
Hixon, TN - Life Line, Inc. is a non-profit, ministry organization that provides support and education to families affected by disabilities. A variety of workshops are provided and a complete list can be found on the website.
Nashville, TN - SEAC assists families in a variety of ways including: IEP meeting preparation and attendance, records review, general consultation, workshops, and other non-legal education-related advocacy support.
Locations: Greeneville; Nashville; Memphis, TN - STEP, Inc. (Support and Training for Exception Parents) is a non-profit organization that helps assist families in navigating the special education process with free services for training/information on IDEA, offering individual assistance, consultations, referrals, support services, in-person group training, and informational materials.
Trenton, TN - TN Hands & Voices is a non-profit organization that offers parent supports, parent perspective representation, IEP/advocacy support, community events, resources/ information for families and children who are deaf or have a hearing impairment.