Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-4-202

It is the further policy of this state that totally blind or partially blind persons and persons otherwise disabled shall be employed in the state service, the service of the political subdivisions of the state, in the public schools and in all other employment supported in whole or part by public funds on the same terms and conditions as the able-bodied, unless it is shown that the particular disability prevents the performance of the work involved in such employment.