Easter Seals Disability Services

Supported Employment
Provides job training and job coaches for adults with disabilities seeking community employment.  Individual guidance helps clients develop and maintain competitive work in their communities.

                                
Contract Services
Easter Seals Tennessee provides employment for people with disabilities through contract opportunities.

Ever wonder who cares for the rest areas on Tennessee’s roads? Well, we can tell you about two of them. Since 1991, Easter Seals has staffed the ones at Exits 129 and 130 on I-40. Through a contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Transportation and the Community Rehabilitation Agencies of Tennessee (CMRA), six full-time and six part time adults with disabilities contribute to the comfort and well-being of highway travelers.
                                          

The attendants take care of the lawn and pick up trash, clean the restrooms, the vending machine area, picnic tables, sidewalks and gutters, and answer guest questions. “The employees do an awesome job,” shares Martha Campbell, Easter Seals Rest Area Coordinator.

There seems to be plenty of work to do, considering the stops are open 24/7, 365 days a year. Last year, despite rising gas prices, 268,000 vehicles visited the westbound rest area, and 364,000 vehicles stopped on the east bound side which translates into 60 rolls of toilet paper every day!

So the next time you pull in to Exit 129 or 130, you can thank Easter Seals for your pleasant visit!