Tommy Nobis Center Presents The Academy Program
From Potential to Paycheck
Closing Georgia's Disability Employment Gap
November 3, 2026
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Tommy Nobis Center
240 Interstate N Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339
One in four adults in the U.S. lives with a disability, yet they face an unemployment rate nearly double that of the general population. Closing that gap is exactly what Tommy Nobis Center exists to do.
Join us to hear from Karen Dernavich, VP of Programs at Tommy Nobis Center, on how TNC is empowering people through employment across Georgia and beyond. For 50 years, TNC has helped individuals with disabilities move from potential to paycheck through a full continuum of support: guiding high schoolers through their first steps toward career readiness, building real-world skills through hands-on vocational training, and delivering job placement with job coaching for adults entering the workforce.
Employment isn't a one-way street. Karen will also share how TNC partners with employers, civic groups, and organizations across the state to turn inclusion into real business solutions, helping companies tap into a skilled, reliable, and often overlooked talent pool while building stronger, more resilient local economies.
This gathering will be hosted at Tommy Nobis Center, so attendees will get a firsthand tour of the campus and see this work in action!
If your life, community, or work touches the disability community in any way, you won't want to miss this conversation.
A light breakfast and coffee will be provided by Rise Coffee + Tea
REGISTER TODAY!
Date: November 3, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 10:30am
Address: Tommy Nobis Center, 240 Interstate N Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339
About: Karen Dernavich
About: The Academy Program
Program Model
The Academy offers a yearlong program of accelerated vocational education and training on life skills and job readiness.
EDUCATE: Curriculum-based vocational training. Topics include life skills, social skills for employment, self-advocacy, vocational skills, confidence, communication, and more! Instruction takes place in the classroom and in the community.
TRAIN: Job discovery that includes on-site and community-based instruction. Participants will be able to explore specific career pathways and learn about targeted vocational topics.
EMPLOY: Specialized employment support to ensure success. All participants who complete the program will be guaranteed employment.
