By Danielle Smith:
Tennessee's Disability Day on the Hill is an opportunity for people living with a disability to unite and engage in the legislative process.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 1.6 million Tennesseeans have a disability.
Carrie Carlson, director of community engagement with the Tennessee Disability Coalition, said people are encouraged to meet them for the Disability Day on the Hill in Nashville.
The event focuses on issues and challenge policies that threaten protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act."
Disability Day on the Hill is a day where hundreds of people with disabilities will come to Nashville, to Cordell Hull, and get involved in the legislative process," said Carlson, "meaning having meetings with their Senate and House of Representatives.
"She said Tennesseans with disabilities face unequal access to education, housing, transportation, and health care.
The theme for Wednesday's event is Liberty Not Limits, which means that having a disability should not limit your liberty to live your chosen life.
Carlson said Tennesseans are encouraged to light up, wear "coalition blue," and post to social media supporting Disability Advocacy Day.
She added that this will be the fifth year recognizing March 11 as Disability Advocacy Day, with an annual proclamation that highlights the strength of advocacy efforts." Disability Advocacy Day," said Carlson, "is a day where specific landmarks across the state of Tennessee in each region West, middle and East go blue to show the amazing accomplishments and advocacy efforts of Tennesseans with disabilities.
"Carlson said Disability Advocacy Day began with key landmarks in Tennessee lighting up blue to raise awareness and chose to address transportation barriers.
Now, it has expanded as communities participate in their ways - lighting homes, wearing blue, and gathering for photos to show support for local advocacy work.
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