Disability Services
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to protect the civil rights of persons with disabilities. Five areas of life are covered: state and Local government operations, transportation, public accommodations, employment, and telecommunications. For a list of resources that provide accessible housing, transportation, assistive or adaptive equipment, or offer other similar services or products for persons with disabilities, call the Disability Resource Center at 637-3666. For information about housing for older persons with disabilities, see Housing.
American Council of the Blind: 1-800-424-8666
Information and referral. Staff answers phone Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
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Amputee Coalition: 524-8772
ll Avenue, Suite 290, 37915
Outreach, education, advocacy, and empowerment of amputees. Amputee Coalition Resource Center is a comprehensive source of information for people living
with limb differences. Provides information and help to all amputees, caregivers, and professionals.
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ARC Knox County: 524-1311
3000 N. Central Street, 37917
Referral for work training and residential services for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Blue Book: 301-563-9112
Telecommunication for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc.
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 121, Silver Spring, MD 20910
The “Blue Book,” a national directory and resource guide (teletype and text telephone) of residential and business numbers can be purchased from the
publisher.
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Department of Motor Vehicle: 215-2385
300 Main Street, Old Courthouse, Main Floor, 37902
To apply for a handicapped license or placard, call, pick up, or download form for physician to complete. Call for information on application process and
costs.
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Disability Law & Advocacy Center of TN: 1-800-342-1660
TTY (for deaf only): 1-888-852-2852
9050 Executive Park Drive Ste. 220-A, 37923
Advocates for legal rights of individuals with disabilities. Investigates allegations of abuse and neglect within institutions, and discrimination in
employment and education. Assists with access to services, obtaining assistive technology services and devices, and access to vocational rehabilitation and
employment.
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Disability Resource Center: 637-3666
TTY (for deaf only): 637-6796
900 E. Hill Avenue, Suite 120, 37915
Provides information and referral, peer support, advocacy, Braille services, and independent living skills training for persons with disabilities. Also
provides ADA technical assistance for the community at large. Careworks at Home is an in-home nonmedical personal care service offered by DRC to people
with disabilities.
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East Tennessee Technology Access Center (ETTAC): 219-0130
116 Childress Street, 37920
Provides information and access, through loan and donation, to assistive and durable medical equipment, including items for people with hearing, visual,
and physical disabilities. Sliding scale fees.
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Gift of Sight & Hearing (CAC) : 546-6262
Office on Aging
611 Winona Street, 37917
For Knox County residents who cannot afford them, program provides low-cost eye and hearing exams, eyeglasses, and hearing aids for people age 50+, and
low-cost denture exams and dentures for people age 60+. Service is limited by available funds. Services are provided at no initial charge to participants,
who repay cost over time based on ability to pay.
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Joni & Friends Knoxville: 540-3860
1540 Robinson Road, 37923
Reaches out to families and individuals affected by disabilities. Partnerships with local churches through a variety of ministries, training, and
resources.
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Knox County ADA Office: 215-2952
TTY (for deaf only): 215-2497
City-County Building, 400 W. Main Street, Suite 360, 37902
Provides information and referral for people with disabilities.
Knoxville Center of the Deaf (KCD)
24-hour line: 579-0832
TTY (for deaf only) 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: 573-5640
3731 Martin Mill Pike, 37920
Sign language interpreting services, information and referral, public awareness, advocacy, outreach, technical assistance, peer counseling, independent
living skills, and community center activities, including weekly senior citizens’ group. For emergency interpreter services after hours, call the 24-hour
line, press 50, and leave message. On-call staff will return your call.
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Knoxville Community Development Department: 215-2120
TTY (for deaf only): 215-4581
400 Main Street, City-County Building, 37902
Provides oversight and assures accessibility of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to city-owned facilities and programs. Information
and referral for persons with disabilities.
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Learning Ally: 482-3496
205 Badger Road, Oak Ridge, 37830
Formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. Textbooks and other print materials on CD or as downloadable files for people who have difficulty reading
print because of dyslexia or other learning disabilities or impaired vision; also for people who cannot turn book pages because of physical disabilities.
Eligibility requirements, registration fee.
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Library Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing: 1-800-342-3262
615 Church Street, Nashville, 37219-2314
Has a directory of organizations, programs, and agencies throughout TN that serve the deaf and hard of hearing. Library service, free to TN residents, is a
statewide center that provides access to traditional library services for deaf and hard of hearing patrons; information and referral services; book and
video lending library; reference periodicals related to deafness; public awareness programs; and loans of TTY and assistive listening devices. Telephone
number is voice/TTY.
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Rehabilitation Services: 594-6060*
TTY users should use TN Relay Center listed below
TN Dept. of Human Services
531 Henley Street, Suite 520, 37902
*To get the most direct answer, enter extension 1101 when you get automated menu. TTY users should use TN Relay Center.
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TN Services for the Blind & Visually-Impaired
TN Services for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired
Mobility and Independent Living Skills
General Services
Vocational Rehabilitation
Services are for people with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities, with a goal of helping them go to work or return to work. Services include
physical restoration, living skills, counseling, communication skills, training and employment opportunities, and more.
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Telecommunications Devices Access Program: 1-800-342-8359
Voice/TTY: 1-888-276-0677
TN Regulatory Authority
Distributes free telephone assistive equipment, on a first-come basis, to people with disabilities such as significant hearing, hearing and visual, speech,
or mobility impairments. Equipment includes amplified teletype, big-button, and hands-free phones. To be eligible, recipient must be a permanent resident
of Tennessee who has a physician-verified disability.
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Telephone Services
Some telephone service providers offer information on equipment, services, and calling features for people with visual, hearing, physical, or speech impairments. Some also offer free or discounted Directory Assistance to people who, because of a disability, are unable to read or use the phone book. Companies that offer this service often require a letter from a physician and may require additional proof of disability. Some companies may extend these services to nondisabled seniors as well. Some long-distance providers also offer special services for persons with disabilities. Call your phone service or long-distance providers for information about which services they provide for senior citizens or persons with disabilities.
Tennessee Identification Card: 594-6399
TN Dept. of Safety Office
7320 Region Lane, Strawberry Plains, 37914
Persons with a mental or physical disability who cannot drive can obtain a permanent photo ID. Those who qualify can receive ID at no charge. For initial
ID, you must go to the full-service TN Dept. of Safety office listed above and provide proof of name and identity, including Social Security ID and
certified birth certificate (or other certified document with birthdate on it) and marriage certificate (for name change), two proofs of residency, and
certified statement from doctor stating that applicant is unable to operate a vehicle. For replacement ID, you can go to any driver’s license office; small
fee.
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Tennessee Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped: 1-800-342-3308
403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville, 37243-0313
Recorded books and loaned equipment for listening. Large-print and Braille materials. Free to eligible persons.
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Tennessee Relay Center (TRC): All calls 711 Hearing callers: 1-800-848-0299
TTY (for deaf only): 1-800-848-0298
Spanish (Español): 1-866-503-0263
Speech-to-speech service: 1-866-503-0264
Customer service: 1-866-503-0262
Provides free, statewide assisted telephone service to those who have speech, hearing, and visual impairments. Relays telephone calls between voice and TTY
customers. Speech-to-speech service allows speech-disabled persons to use their own voice synthesizers rather than a TDD/TTY.
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Ticket to Work: 1-866-968-7842
TTY (for deaf only): 1-866-833-2967
Social Security Administration (Administered by Maximus, Inc.)
8530 Kingston Pike, 37919
Work opportunities for individuals with disabilities who are receiving Social Security or SSI benefits and are between the ages of 18 and 64 years.
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Transportation
KAT Lift: 215-7850
TTY (for deaf only): 525-1525
301 Church Street, 37915
Knoxville Area Transit. Minibuses available for passengers with disabilities, Mon.-Sun. See page 155 for full description.
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Knox County CAC Transit: 524-0319
Office on Aging
2247 Western Avenue, 37921 (street)
P.O. Box 51650, 37950-1650 (mailing)
Lift-equipped minibuses transport Knox County residents who cannot use the KAT system. See page 155 for full description.
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Volunteer Assisted Transportation (CAC): 673-5001
Office on Aging
2247 Western Avenue, 37921 (street)
P.O. Box 51650, 37950-1650 (mailing)
Volunteers provide transportation in the program’s vehicles for eligible seniors and people with disabilities who require assistance to travel safely. Must
apply for service.
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UT Hearing and Speech Center
1600 Peyton Manning Pass, 37996-2500
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Audiology Services: 974-5453
Evaluation of hearing problems. Comparative hearing aid evaluations with medical referral.
Speech and Language: 974-5451
Speech evaluations and therapy.
