KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As the government shutdown continues, disability services are feeling the impact, with programs losing funding and resources that many in the community rely on now at risk.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but the Knoxville Area Employment Consortium’s annual breakfast to celebrate the milestone was canceled due to the government shutdown.
‘We’re pulling together’ Cocke County organizations stepping up ahead of SNAP funding loss
Still, local organizations, like the Disability Resource Center, say the work continues. They offer housing support, advocacy and programs that help people with disabilities live independently while staying connected to their community.
“A lot of the students that come to that have had a long lifetime of being isolated, not being able to have friends where they can just hang out,” said Matthew Davis, an independent living specialist at the Disability Resource Center. “And that sort of we have a summer program academy that helps kids get ready for the workforce.”…