As Nashville continues its rapid growth, residents with disabilities say they’re being left behind. While new buildings are popping up all around Middle Tennessee, residents who rely on wheelchairs, canes, guide dogs and other mobility aids are still fighting for reliable public transportation and safe sidewalks in their neighborhoods.
In this episode, we hear what it’s like to navigate Nashville when you have a disability, and get some perspective from people who are advocating for improved services and infrastructure.
At the top of the show, WPLN News Senior Editor Chas Sisk joins us in studio with an update about State Sen. Robin Smith’s resignation and the wire fraud charges the East Tennessee Republican is facing.
Guests:
- Chas Sisk, WPLN News senior editor
- Metro ADA Coordinator Jerry Hall
- James Brown, board member of the National Federation for the Blind, Tennessee – Nashville chapter and member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities
- Dr. Tonika East, associate director of career services at Kentucky State University
- Alexandra Jobe, freshman at Middle Tennessee State University
- Steve Norman, instructor at Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna
- Rhonda Clark, president and CEO of Able & Ready Transportation
Resources:
- Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
- Empower Tennessee
- Tennessee’s Precious Cargo Act
- Nashville-area disability groups
- National Federation of the Blind, Tennessee – Nashville chapter
- Mid-Tennessee Council of the Blind
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute
- Support groups held monthly. For more info, contact Dr. Joshua Robinson at [email protected]
- Mental health services for individuals and families:
- Alliance Counseling
- Sliding fee scale available
- The Refuge Center
- Sliding fee scale available
- Vision Aware
- Alliance Counseling
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
- Metro Nashville ADA assessments
- Application process for AccessRide in Nashville
The lead producer on this episode is Rose Gilbert. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM