TN HB1653

Requires the Department of Human Services vocational rehabilitation program to ensure continued access to accessible information services for blind persons, including the National Federation of the Blind Newsline

Establishes legislative intent for the department to allocate a minimum of $16,000 annually in vocational rehabilitation funds for accessible information services, with those funds to be used to draw down federal matching funds

Permits allocated funds to maintain accessible information services and support outreach, training, marketing, consumer education, and employer outreach activities to increase utilization of vocational rehabilitation services

Requires the department to maintain documentation of funding sources related to accessible information services

Takes effect July 1, 2026