DLAC Advocate Office Hours
The 3rd Thursday of the Month
Deaf and hard of hearing community members are often more comfortable meeting with hearing people face to face instead of using a telephone when they need to discuss important matters. Both Deaf and hard of hearing TTY users complain about the inordinate amount of time it takes to explain things by typing because of the turn taking required on those devices. The problem is compounded by the fact that English may not be a Deaf person’s native language, so reading and typing details regarding legal issues or other complex subject matter can be daunting.
Using text and video relay services can be very frustrating. Even with the advances in technology allowing Deaf people to use a video phone to place calls using an interpreter, there is still the potential for miscommunication. Although the conversation may take place at a much faster pace because callers are able to comfortably sign in their native language and interrupt when necessary instead of being forced to wait for the literal “Go Ahead” (GA) to talk, the interpreters are often from a different part of the country than where the Deaf videophone user is so s/he may not completely understand the regional dialects of ASL users.
In an effort to eliminate those barriers and frustrations, the Nashville office of the Disability Law and Advocacy Center (DLAC) is partnering with Bridges to provide an opportunity for Deaf and hard of hearing persons to meet with a trained legal advocate. Tricia Griggs will have regular walk-in hours at the Bridges office in downtown Nashville on the third Thursday of every month from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. A certified interpreter will be available. DLAC is reaching out to the community to meet one-on-one with people who believe they have experienced discrimination because of a disability. Rather than requiring Deaf and hard of hearing persons to call or email the DLAC intake office in Memphis and wait for the case to be assigned to someone in the Nashville area, Ms. Griggs is allowing potential clients to contact her directly by coming to Bridges to make the process as convenient as possible. If clients prefer to make an appointment to meet with her at a particular time during her office hours at Bridges or if they would like to set up an appointment to meet with her at her office on 21st Avenue, she is willing. Please do not call Bridges to make an appointment. Ms. Griggs is the only person who can set and confirm appointments. Walk-ins are welcome during her monthly hours at Bridges. Appointments are not required.
Tricia Griggs is an advocate who will try to resolve the issues persons with disabilities are facing without resorting to a lawsuit or going to court. She is not an attorney, but when necessary, may consult with one of the staff attorneys in the DLAC office for advice. ALL INFORMATION WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL!!!
If you prefer to make an appointment, contact Tricia Griggs at her DLAC office:
TriciaG@DLACTN.org 615-298-1080 (v) ext. 117
2416 21st Avenue South, Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37212
If you prefer to seek assistance through the DLAC intake system, please call or email:
1-800-342-1660 (V) 1-800-852-2852 (TTY) GetHelp@DLACTN.org
Please save this website as a resource: http://www.DLACTN.org