Have you ever had questions about how to address issues with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)? Are you curious about how to help transition age youth obtain accommodations in the workplace? Join us to learn about two programs at Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) which can help with these types of concerns as youth make the transition from high school towards employment or post-secondary education. The Client Assistance Program (CAP) can help youth who are having difficulty in applying for or receiving VR services. The Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program can help SSI or SSDI beneficiaries who are experiencing barriers to employment. The DRT team will share examples of common issues addressed and how to access these services.

Presenters:

Nathan Walsh is a Staff Attorney at Disability Rights Tennessee.  His work focuses primarily on assisting clients of vocational rehabilitation and beneficiaries of social security with barriers to work.  He graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 2016 and launched his public interest career as the inaugural recipient of the George Barrett Social Justice Fellowship.

Becky Allen joined Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) in April 2010 as an advocate in East Tennessee.  She provides individual and systemic advocacy services in the areas of Employment and Voting.  Becky and the Employment Team assist applicants and clients of Vocational Rehabilitation and Centers for Independent Living through the Client Assistance Program (CAP).  Becky earned a Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling/Vocational Evaluation from the University of Missouri-Columbia and she has 30 years of professional experience in providing services and advocating for individuals with disabilities.  Prior to joining DRT, she conducted vocational assessment and career planning services with secondary students with disabilities in a career and technical school setting in Missouri and conducted neuropsychological evaluations as a psychometrist in a large Indiana neurology practice.