How well is the East Tennessee region prepared to meet the needs of people with disabilities now and in the future? That is the subject of a forum from 9-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20th, sponsored by the Knoxville Mayor's Council on Disability Issues (CODI) and Plan East Tennessee (PlanET). The forum will be held in the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park.

"One out of five Americans currently has a disability, and as our population ages, we will need to be increasingly aware of the need for accessibility throughout society. This forum will bring together people from across our region to help identify those needs," said Stephanie Brewer Cook, ADA Coordinator for the City of Knoxville.

Working with PlanET, CODI has invited participants from Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon and Union counties. Among the topics likely to be discussed:

What adaptations at home and in the workplace can help people with disabilities live and work independently? Whether local transportation options are sufficient to meet the needs of a population of varying abilities? What resources are available or need to be available through local health care systems?

Registration for the forum is open through Sunday, Feb. 17th. You may register by phone at 865-215-4396 or online at http://www.planeasttn.org/codi.