People First of Tennessee

01/13/2026

WE LOVE THIS!!

Mattel Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie on Monday as the newest member of its line intended to celebrate diversity, joining a collection that already includes Barbies with Down syndrome, a blind Barbie, a Barbie and a Ken with vitiligo, and other models the toymaker added to make its fashion dolls more inclusive.

Read more: https://abcnews.visitlink.me/LihD5F

01/13/2026

So excited to see you all today for our 1st People First meeting of the year at 3pm CST!

We will be trying something new to start off the year!

Email:
RHumphries@thearctn.org
for the link to join!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from People First!

We cannot wait to grow together this year.
See you on January 13 for our first meeting of the new year.

You will be seeing invites in your email shortly.
🎉🎉🎉
If you would like to sign up to join or have questions, please email Rion at rhumphries@thearctn.org.

12/20/2025

Check this out!
Great way to start the new year!

https://forms.gle/wm8jdtNmt9DvkryB7

12/10/2025

12/06/2025

Up Next: Navigating Future Financial Assistance with ABLE TN, Thursday, January 15, 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/vumc/tnpathfinder-webinar-navigating-future-financial-assistance-resources-fwith-able-tn

12/05/2025

Congrats to past People First of Tennessee interviewees Faith McGrath and Brandon Vera for starring in the new viral Apple music video! Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmFPWxjmnqE

12/03/2025

Check out Apple and their amazing showcase of accessibility, which highlights the true conversation of not pitying us because of our disabilities.
We are especially proud of Brandon and Faith, who are featured!
We have had the opportunity to interview them both at our People First meetings this past year!

We can change the narrative by having the conversations we have every month! It starts with you 🎉.

What part of the video resonated with you?

Apple products are designed for every student. Accessibility features like Magnifier on Mac, Accessibility Reader, Braille Access, VoiceOver, Sound & Name Re...

12/01/2025

✨Self advocacy tip of the week ✨
The Arc Tennessee
Tennessee Center for Decision-Making Supports Tennessee Disability Pathfinder

11/28/2025

We couldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving without expressing our gratitude for all that you do to amplify our community’s voice!
We couldn’t do it without you, People First! 🦃
Happy Thanksgiving! 

11/21/2025

Check out this great opportunity!

SAVE THE DATE! Free and open to the public!

"The History of Disabilities In Our Community: Living with Physical Disabilities"
Wednesday, December 3, 5:30-8:00 p.m. CT
MLK, Jr. Magnet High School Auditorium, 613 17th Ave. N., Nashville

Now in its third year, Then and Now explores the history and impact of communities in Nashville through the scholarly work of noted historians and the personal stories of community members. Speakers include:

-- Andre L. Churchwell (moderator), Senior Advisor to the Chancellor on Inclusion and Community Outreach, Vanderbilt University
-- Megan Hart, Director, Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
-- Wanda Willis, Former Executive Director, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities

The series is presented by Vanderbilt University and hosted by Nashville Public Library.

Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUkEq9-A41pfD63bEuC3Vif24xIbm5S3ZMeU0jSj9UjCkuBQ/viewform

11/03/2025

We are so excited to interview Parneeta Mohapatra, who is giving us an inside look into disability in medical education.

We hope this lights a fire in you to advocate for medical professionals in your community to plug into our community.
The disability community.

We hope to create better outcomes for Tennesseeans with disabilities by raising awareness of lack of care for people with disabilities. Parneeta is leading in this space!

More about Parneeta:

“Parneeta Mohapatra is currently a second-year medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She grew up in Chattanooga and got a degree in Global Health Studies in college. Her interest in working in developmental disabilities began when she volunteered in her mom's special education classroom. Parneeta hopes to become a family physician after graduating from medical school.”

Email RHumphries@thearctn.org for link!