If you ever think that just one vote in a sea of millions cannot make much of a difference, consider some of the closest elections in U.S. history, both in the 21st century.

Nicole Allen is Disability Rights Tennessee’s Voting Program Coordinator. She will lead our class tonight and talk about how to make your voice count. Nicole will help us understand the steps involved in getting to vote -- from registering to vote, to using an absentee ballot, to getting information about candidates, and how to find out where we’re supposed to vote in person on election day.

Tennessee has two more elections this year: the Tennessee state primary on August 1 and the all-important general election on November 5. In the general election, we will be selecting who will be U.S. president as well as candidates for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee Senate and Tennessee House of Representatives. If you’re not already registered but would like to vote, Nicole will help you register online during the class!

OPN Monday Night Life Skills Classes are available to ALL OPN residents and those on our waiting list. If you are not yet on our waiting list but would like to drop by for a class, you are welcome! Please contact us to let us know.

Monday Night Classes take place at the OPN Community Room near the Nashville Zoo from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Please reach out for the exact address. Additionally, all classes also are available on Zoom for those who are unable to make it in person. Please contact Brad Clark with any questions.

AbleVoices is a non-profit organization that provides photography programs for youth and adults with disabilities as a means for self-expression, empowerment, and advocacy. The ultimate goal of an AbleVoices project is to provide the tools and training for individuals to create pictures that communicate their interests, strengths, and goals for the future as well as foster the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their communities.

In this Headshot-a-Thon, AbleVoices photographer team up with professional photographers to provide headshots to the community. AbleVoices asks that you support their photographers and programs with a donation of your choosing. You can register here.

The Disability Leadership Collaborative is an informal group of disability community leaders that meets monthly to share ideas and resources, to listen to invited guest speakers talk about special topics of interest, and to network . . . with the goal of learning enough about each other and our work that we can collaborate together on specific projects. Collaboration stretches our dollar, expands our reach, helps not duplicate work the other is already doing, and strengthens our organizations.

Our next gathering will be in Bellevue to learn more about MOVE Inclusive Dance. Founder and Executive Director Lauren Morris and Program Director Megan Jarboe will lead a little movement activity in their studio so people can experience MOVE’s work first-hand. Lauren and Megan will give a short presentation on their program to provide more insight into the value of what they do for their students, then open the floor for organizational updates before mingling with each other.

Participants are typically the executive director of a non-profit or the head of a disability program with an educational institution or government agency.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Naifeh.

In the past 6 months, we have had two awesome classes with Nashville Glassworks! We are so excited to announce that we will be hosting FOUR more glassworks classes before the end of 2024. Join us as we create mosaics bird houses, fused class suncatchers, stained glass pieces, and Holiday Ornaments for 2024.

The dates for the rest of the year are

April 17th – Mosaic Bird Houses

August 14, Fused glass suncatcher

September 18, stained glass

October 30, ornaments round 2

Nashville Glassworks classes will take place on Wednesday evenings from 6-7pm at Friendship House 5 Community Room. Please contact Brad Clark if you have any questions.

Please support the amazing artists at Nashville Glassworks by checking out their storefront at 100 Taylor Art Collective - 100 Taylor Street, Suite C13 Nashville, TN 37208 or going to their online catalogue.

Update: Marsha can’t lead class tonight, but she’s looking forward to seeing you next week on Tuesday, April 23.

Our American Sign Language class is small and students are becoming more agile in their vocabulary, gaining in skill and confidence with each class. The group meets virtually on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Central). Instructor Marsha James is a Washington, DC-based television producer who learned ASL at Gallaudet University. Her enthusiasm is contagious and class participants learn and have fun simultaneously!

Please contact Carolyn Naifeh for the Zoom link or for more information if you are at least at the advanced beginner or intermediate level and a part of our Friendship House community in some fashion: resident, person on our waiting list, family member, or Our Place volunteer.

Are you a creator? Do you enjoy to draw, write, take pictures, create videos, or make music? Sometimes we have a desire to be creative, but we don’t have an avenue that encourages this in us.

On the Avenue exists to provide a safe place where persons with learning challenges can explore their creative passions and find a healthy outlet to strive for a fulfilling life experience. Tom Woodward, Co- Founder of On the Avenue will be coming to join us with a couple of the citizens in the program who will be teaching us about finding our creative spark - and showing us what they have been creating and making in their time at On the Avenue. Join us and you may find you can start to dream about how YOU want to be creative, too!

If you are interested in learning more, or joining them as a citizen at On the Avenue, Apply Online.

OPN Monday Night Life Skills Classes are available to ALL OPN residents and those on our waiting list. If you are not yet on our waiting list but would like to drop by for a class, you are welcome! Please contact us to let us know.

Monday Night Classes take place at the OPN Community Room near the Nashville Zoo from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Please reach out for the exact address. Additionally, all classes also are available on Zoom for those who are unable to make it in person. Please contact Brad Clark with any questions.

The Ascent is a bi-monthly gathering for adults with special needs to have a place for community, growth in their faith, service, worship, fellowship, and food (the evening begins with dinner).

The group is scheduled to meet in person at Christ Presbyterian Church from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Please contact Gigi Sanders for more information.  

Future meetings are scheduled for April 28 and May 5.

Want to find a new and fun way to stay active or get in shape? Join the Metro Nashville disABILITIES Program and their friends at TITLE boxing for a non-contact boxing class! Learn about proper boxing technique, get a good workout, and make some new friends. No prior experience needed!. This is an Inclusive Event.

You can register here.

The class is free for all to attend, but you must purchase personal hand wraps which are yours to keep. Hand wraps are $10 and can be purchased from TITLE Boxing. Please make sure to fill out a waiver before the class and bring it with you. You can access the waiver here.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to McKenzie Mathew at mckenzie.mathew@nashville.gov or call the Metro Parks disABILITIES Program office at 615-862-8489.

This boxing class usually. meets every other Friday. Future class dates are April 26, May 17, May 31, June 14, June 28, etc.

The Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee, Capital Wealth Advisors, and Special Needs Law Center, Maurer & Gardner, PLLC present information to help you understand how the family is protected if something happens to the primary care person today, preparing for the age of 18 to maximize government benefits, and how your loved one will be taken care of when you can no longer care for them. Issues discussed will include taking advantage of government benefits and protecting your son/daughter’s eligibility, estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, and conservatorships), special needs trusts and funding options, and letters of intent.

Matt Moser, a Special Needs Planner with Capital Wealth Advisors, LLC and Cynthia Gardner, attorney at law with the Special Needs Law Center, Maurer & Gardner, PLLC are this event’s two speakers.

This workshop is free, but you need to register here. A virtual link will be emailed to you in the week prior to the event.

Our American Sign Language class is small and students are becoming more agile in their vocabulary, gaining in skill and confidence with each class. The group meets virtually on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Central). Instructor Marsha James is a Washington, DC-based television producer who learned ASL at Gallaudet University. Her enthusiasm is contagious and class participants learn and have fun simultaneously!

Please contact Carolyn Naifeh for the Zoom link or for more information if you are at least at the advanced beginner or intermediate level and a part of our Friendship House community in some fashion: resident, person on our waiting list, family member, or Our Place volunteer.

Kate Kelly is the founder and director of Empower Music Therapy, a wonderful organization right here in Nashville. Empower Music Therapy offers individual sessions, group sessions, and community events that use the medium of music to build social and emotional skills that traditional therapies can't always provide.
Kate will be joining our group for a night of songwriting, performing, creating, and playfulness! Whether you see yourself as a professional musician or just someone who sings in the shower - this class is for you!

OPN Monday Night Life Skills Classes are available to ALL OPN residents and those on our waiting list. If you are not yet on our waiting list but would like to drop in for a class, you are welcome! Please contact us to let us know.

Monday Night Classes take place at the OPN Community Room near the Nashville Zoo from 6:30-7:30pm. Please reach out for the exact address. Additionally, all classes are also available on Zoom for those who are unable to make it in person. Please contact Brad Clark with any questions.

On the first Saturday of every month, galleries throughout downtown Nashville open their doors for special events and exhibit openings. Presenting local and world-renowned artists and artwork, the galleries offer rare opportunities to view diverse exhibitions featuring every genre of art.

This event is free and open to the public. Over 1,000 people attend this very popular monthly event. No RSVP or ticket is required. Some galleries may serve light refreshments.

Exhibits change out each month and additional galleries are often added to the list, so be sure to visit the list of participating galleries here. For general information, visit the First Saturday Art Crawl’s website.

The next Art Crawls are scheduled for May 4 and June 1.

Friday Night Out is a safe place where adults with special abilities can hang out and build relationships with their peers.  The group believes that organized activities, life skills support, and opportunities to explore friendships are essential for the development of young adults or adults with special abilities.

Every Friday night, they meet on Zoom to dance, meet in small groups, do group activities, and
learn more about the world and each other. Some of their activities include guided drawing, trivia, playing games, making food together, or learning from a guest. It’s a great way to connect with friends and make new ones from all over the nation and even Canada. Sign up here for the Zoom meeting number or email Friday Night Out at FNO@fridaynightout.net.

What can you expect when joining Friday Night Out for their monthly in-person event? They love to gather in person and have fun with a theme every month. Their participants are adults (high-school aged and older) and volunteers help make the time fun and safe. Tonight’s theme is Hawaiian. Wear a Hawaiian shirt (or other tropical attire).

A $10 donation is suggested. Email rachel@fridayightout.net with any questions or to RSVP.

You can register here.

The Metro Parks' disABILITIES Programs will be hosting a 6-week Bocce League at the Centennial Sportsplex. League Games will be played on the following Fridays from 10:00am-12:00pm (weather permitting).

Schedule

• 10:00-10:15 Court Assignments

• 10:15-11:00 Game 1

• 11:00-11:45 Game 2

• 11:45-12:00 Clean-up & Dismissal

There is no fee to participate in the Leagues, but all athletes must have a valid Sports Physical (Special Olympics physicals are accepted) and an MPDSL Sport Waiver completed. 

For questions about MPDSL Sports Leagues, please contact our office at 615-862-8489 or email Glen Adkins.

The Arc TN’s Advocacy and Family Engagement in Special Education Projects are excited to present the inaugural Bridge to Success Conference. This conference will provide an opportunity for advocates, educators, and families to gather to learn how together we can build a bridge to success for individuals with disabilities throughout their lifetime. Attendees will include 150+ advocates, educators, self-advocates, and families from across the state as well as representatives from the 15 local chapters of The Arc Tennessee. The conference will take place at the Franklin Marriott on April 5

The Arc Tennessee is hosting its first ever Entrepreneur Expo, an empowering event that aims to celebrate individuals with disabilities who have embraced entrepreneurship. This unique expo provides a platform for self-advocates to showcase their businesses, share success stories, and connect with like-minded individuals. The expo aims to inspire, educate, and foster a supportive community for self-advocates in the entrepreneurial world.

Attendees can learn from those who already own a business and receive helpful tips on ways to start their own businesses. The event is free to attend, and a booth is only $10.

If you have questions about registering for the Entrepreneur Expo, please email Heather Henderson,

Our Place Nashville’s Family Group meets virtually the first Tuesday of the month. April’s topic is on how we can help our loved ones manage their anxieties and more broadly, to regulate their emotions.

Individuals with special needs frequently have significant difficulties regulating their emotions. This can impact their abilities to effectively form and maintain relationships, display pro-social behaviors, and often results in impulsive behaviors placing them at risk of further adverse experiences

The Skills System created by Dr. Julie Brown is a Dialectal Behavior Therapy-informed emotion regulation skills training curriculum consisting of nine core skills and three System Tools that help people become more effective at all level of emotions.

The Family Group’s guest speakers this evening are Dr, Jana Dreyzehner, co-founder and CEO/CMO, of LifeConnect Health and Celine Turco, the organization’s co-founder and CCO/CFO. Their practice is one of the pre-eminent providers of Julie Brown-informed DBT therapy in Tennessee.

For more information and the Zoom link, contact Family Group co-chair John Bers.

Our American Sign Language class is small and students are becoming more agile in their vocabulary, gaining in skill and confidence with each class. The group meets virtually on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Central). Instructor Marsha James is a Washington, DC-based television producer who learned ASL at Gallaudet University. Her enthusiasm is contagious and class participants learn and have fun simultaneously!

Please contact Carolyn Naifeh for the Zoom link or for more information if you are at least at the advanced beginner or intermediate level and a part of our Friendship House community in some fashion: resident, person on our waiting list, family member, or Our Place volunteer.

This April Fools Day, we look at a topic that can make a fool out of all of us - the internet! With spam, scams, and all kinds of fake websites promising us things, staying safe online is something that so many of us struggle to do. Gaby Beck is a Neuroscience student at Vanderbilt University, and leads the Alternative Spring Break Program, a student-run community service organization whose mission is to promote critical thinking, social action, and continued community involvement by combining education, reflection, and direct service. Gaby and some fellow students will be teaching us some important skills to keep safe and to avoid internet scams!

Our Place Nashville’s Monday night life skills classes are available to ALL OPN residents and those on our waiting list. If you are not yet on our waiting list but would like to drop by for a class, you are welcome! Please contact us to let us know.

Monday night classes take place at our fifth Friendship House’s Community Room near the Nashville Zoo from 6:30 pm -7:30 pm. Please reach out for the exact address. All classes also are available on Zoom for those who are unable to make it in person.

Please contact Brad Clark for more information.

Stretch, breathe, wag, repeat! Join Movement Lounge’s Yoga Muttz to support dogs waiting for their forever homes at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control for a magical flow led by @movementlounge and their team of adoptable downward dogs at MACC.  Get ready for a paw-some time that'll fill your heart with joy!  Must register here beforehand.

Movement Lounge, By Yoga Muttz is a safe space for movement. They offer many different class formats to help people find movement that brings them joy: aerial yoga, hot yoga, unheated yoga, restorative, and more. They hope to create a pack that is as diverse as the rescue muttz they love and work to support. Movement Lounge partners with rescues around the Nashville area to host benefit classes, highlight adoptable dogs, and support whatever current needs they are experiencing. Movement Lounge also believes that sharing movement with a supportive community is something that all deserve regardless of budget, helping us to feel strong, confident, and capable.

This event will meet in the front play yard at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control.

Backlight Productions and Unscripted are partnering for another hilarious Improv show.

Join the two for this night of FUN, community, and improv! Unscripted is a Nashville-based nonprofit organization that heals, empowers, and connects our community through improv. Born from the desire of Third Coast's co-founders to serve the community beyond performances in the club's theater, Unscripted is the nonprofit partner of Third Coast Comedy Club. 

This show will feature performances from The Home Team, multiple crowd-favorite improv teams, and showcase fun ways that the audience can get involved with Unscripted's work in Nashville. 

Get tickets here!

The mission at Backlight is to provide adults w/ IDD significant opportunities in the performing arts. On their instagram page, Backlight wrote this: “Being invited to perform alongside Unscripted in Nashville is a dream come true! Unscripted increases access to improv for people who have been historically excluded from improv. Unscripted has helped empower Backlight Artists and given us confidence both on and off the stage! Join us in helping connect our community through Improv!”

Let’s go and support our wonderful friends at Backlight Productions!

Pet and play with Goldie, a certified therapy dog. Learn about Pawsabilities program with Williamson County Animal Center for adults with IDDs. Play B-I-N-G-O with prizes. This event is for teens and adults and will take place in the Library’s multi-purpose room.

Come meet the members of the Spring Hill community with special needs with their families and caregivers. This meet and greet is to determine what is needed and wanted in Spring Hill in the way of programs and activities for those with special needs and disabilities. Make new friends and catch up with old ones. Light refreshments, crafts, and games provided.

Sign up here.

Today’s American Sign Language has been cancelled because of scheduling conflicts.

Our Place Nashville’s ASL class is small and students are becoming more agile in their vocabulary, gaining in skill and confidence with each class. The group meets virtually on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Central). Instructor Marsha James is a Washington, DC-based television producer who learned ASL at Gallaudet University. Her enthusiasm is contagious and class participants learn and have fun simultaneously!

Please contact Carolyn Naifeh for the Zoom link or for more information if you are at least at the advanced beginner or intermediate level and a part of our Friendship House community in some fashion: resident, person on our waiting list, family member, or Our Place volunteer.

Class WILL meet next on April 2nd,

Tennessee’s Department of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities is sponsoring a webinar series on the challenges of embracing new technology head-on, covering everything from securing funding to rallying support and seeking trustworthy vendors.

Unveil powerful strategies to conquer these obstacles and pave the way to a seamless tech adoption journey.

Today’s session topic is “Around the Curve: Circumventing Roadblocks & Detours.” The speaker is Constance Harrington Education and Accreditation Manager for SHIFT, is a nationally recognized subject matter expert o enabling technology, advising decision-makers and championing its implementation for over 20 years.

This session is especially for people with disabilities. Come to the training to:

• Learn about devices and apps that can help you be independent

• Meet new people in small discussion groups

• Learn new things to do for work and school

• Learn how to stay safe online

Register here. For more information, email mytechforall99@gmail.com. Additional Technology for All Training webinars are scheduled for April 2, 9, and 16.

Staff and interns from Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Dietetic Internship Program will share some easy ideas on how to make healthy, delicious lunches . . . not only tasty but a lot cheaper than visiting a fast food restaurant.

The interns will show you a specific recipe or two that will be easy to make — something you can throw together and take with you to have for lunch while you’re at work or to have at home. Ingredients are fresh and inexpensive.

Come prepared for an idea you will be able to put to good use!

OPN Monday Night Life Skills Classes are available to ALL Friendship House residents and those on our waiting list. If you are not yet on our waiting list but would like to drop in for a class, you are welcome! Please contact us to let us know.

Monday night classes take place at the Friendship House Five Community Room near the Nashville Zoo from 6:30 pm - 7:30pm. Please reach out for the exact address. All classes also are available on Zoom for those who are unable to make it in person.

Please contact Brad Clark for more information.

High school juniors and seniors with disabilities and their families to the Annual Transition Fair. The event is hosted by Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Department of Exceptional Education and is focused on preparing for life after high school.

At the Fair, attendees can explore options for employment, post-secondary education, independent living, and more.

You can register here to attend this 2024 Transition Fair. Translated flyers are available here for download in Arabic, Kurdish, Somali, and Spanish.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the MNPS Department of Exceptional Education.

Join Metro Parks disABILITIES Program for a Community Day at The Belcourt Theatre. Doors open at 9:30 am and the movie begins promptly at 10:00 am.

This event is for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental disABILITIES and their caregivers.  There will be no cost to attend this movie, however you must have a ticket to attend.  For questions about this event or any Metro Parks disABILITIES Programs, please email Glen Adkins or call the Metro Parks disABILITIES Office at 615-862-8489.

The movie title will be available the week before the showing, please call our office for the movie selection.

Community Days are programs and/or activities designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend with their caregivers/staff. There will be MPDP staff onsite to help facilitate the activity/event, but it is not the staff’s responsibility to care for individuals participating in Community Days.