Tennessee Rehabilitation Center promotes services
By Matthew Stewart | (matts@thedailytimes.com)
Business leaders, public officials and community members recently gathered to support individuals with disabilities.
The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center of Maryville organized Disability Awareness Day on Oct. 31. The organization, which is located at 1749 Triangle Park Drive, hosted 32 vendors, employers, nonprofits and community resources that work to address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
TRC hosted a variety of organizations, including the Blount County Public Library, Blount Memorial Hospital, DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, H&R Block, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Staffing Solutions, Tennessee Career Center at Alcoa and Tennessee Disability Coalition. Representatives provided information to program attendees. Staffing Solutions representatives also searched for potential employees and provided several applications to attendees.
In addition to local vendors, the Blount County Election Commission set up electronic voting machines and helped community members complete a sample ballot. The Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy Of Riding also brought three equines.
‘Great opportunity’
Public officials were pleased with the program.
“Disability Awareness Day was a great opportunity for students to visit with businesses and organizations who work with individuals with disabilities on a daily basis,” said Scott Kirkham, Blount County’s special education supervisor. “The event was well-tailored to adults and young adults with disabilities.”
Nearly 30 Heritage High School and William Blount High School students attended the event, Kirkham said. Alcoa and Maryville school officials also made appearances.
Kirkham further appreciated the day’s messaging. “Work is more than a paycheck. Work is about someone’s self-worth, position in society and social network. People need to feel successful and part of a community. The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center is definitely working toward that goal.”
TRC provides services based on a client’s needs, and counselors match their needs with the appropriate services. Some people may need help improving their coordination skills or operating equipment at work. Other people may need medical treatment before they work.
Treatment services are available for both medical and vocational needs. Based on an individuals’s goals, clients may receive training on the job, at a trade school, business school, college or other facility. An in-house counselor works with clients to help develop a rehabilitation plan.
Staff then help clients locate a job to match their skills and interests.
TRC pleased
TRC was pleased with Disability Awareness Day’s results, and officials plan to organize the same event next year, said manager Deborah Quillen. “We’re already looking at ways to improve and make it even better.”
Quillen also thanked participants and patrons. “We have a wonderful community in Maryville that supports individuals with disabilities, and we were honored to showcase it for community members.”
She also wanted to explicitly thank Blount Memorial Hospital, DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Grainger Industrial Supply and Newell Rubbermaid which provided door prizes. Aramark catered the day’s lunch.
