KAEC Events
Upcoming Events:
October 21, 2026
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Breakfast Celebration
“Breaking Access Barriers, Building Business: The Added Value of Disability Inclusion”
What does an accessible workplace look like and what can it mean for your business?
Discover how small changes can remove barriers, expand your talent pool, strengthen your workplace, and help your business attract and retain qualified employees with disabilities and attract new customers.
Register here: KAEC Breakfast Celebration
For more information, contact: KAECTN@gmail.com
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Tickets
Individual: $45.00
Table of 8: $325.00
Sponsorships:
Friend: $100.00
1 ticket
Advocate: $500.00
4 tickets
Name in program
Corporate: $1500.00
8 tickets
Name on table
Name in program
Time:
Check-in: 7:30 am
Food Served: 8:00 am
Program Begins: 8:30 am
Program Concludes: 10:00 am
Location:
Rothchild Event Center
8807 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37923
Past Events:
December 1, 2025
Christopher Willett and Rudy Sullivan Award Reception
In the photo from left to right:
Zoey Messer
Christopher Willett Award Winner
The Christopher Willett Award honors a person with a disability who is employed, is extraordinarily dedicated to their employer, and is a valued employee and co-worker.
Lawrence Koehler & Ellen Tillman
Rudy Sullivan Award Winners
The Rudy Sullivan award honors a person with a disability who has achieved employment success through exceptional motivation and persistence.
November 11, 2025
Celebrating Excellence at Covenant Health!
The Project SEARCH program at Parkwest received the 2025 Covenant Health of East Tennessee - President’s Excellence Award: “For inspiring excellence and making a lasting impact on the lives of those served.”
Team Achievement Award – Workplace Excellence
"This week, we proudly recognized the 2025 President’s Excellence Awards—a meaningful occasion to honor the outstanding individuals and teams who live out our Pledge of Excellence every day. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients! Your steadfast commitment to putting patients first is what makes Covenant Health the trusted healthcare partner in East Tennessee. Thank you for inspiring excellence and making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve." — Amanda Brabson Paletz, Marketing Manager at Covenant Health Parkwest
For more information, please visit: 2025 Covenant Health of East Tennessee - President's Excellence Award (Facebook)
October 2, 2025
Expect Employment Report
On October 2, 2025, the Expect Employment Report was presented to Gov. Bill Lee and other state leaders at Muse Knoxville. Several KAEC members were able to attend the event. For more information about the Expect Employment Report, please visit: TN Department of Disability and Aging - Expect Employment Report
July 25, 2025
Congratulations to the KAEC for receiving the Access to Employment and Networking Award!
The KAEC was presented the Access to Employment and Networking Award at the Disability Resource Center’s 35th Anniversary of the ADA Celebration Luncheon on July 25, 2025. Dr. Bob Nicholas accepted the award on behalf of the KAEC and several KAEC members were also in attendance.
