Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

01/08/2026

A WEEK FROM TODAY!

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder presents "Navigating Future Financial Assistance with ABLE TN"
Thursday, January 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CT

Learn how ABLE TN helps individuals with disabilities save and invest while maintaining essential benefits.

Interpretation requests close today, COB (close of business day), January 8th.

🔔 Register now! 🔔 https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4fEkRfcLSSKy2US7tWzN_A #/registration

Questions? TNPathfindermedia@vumc.org.

Arabic, ASL, and Spanish interpretations are available upon request during registration.

To ensure we can accommodate your needs, please submit your request by close of business (COB) on January 8, 2026.

01/06/2026

SPRING 2026 SIBSHOPS MEETING DATES!

January 24
February 28
March 21
April 18

Sibshops are lively events for siblings of children with special needs (including intellectual or developmental disabilities, special medical needs, and mental health concerns). These workshops provide kids with the chance to meet other siblings, play games, learn about special needs, share their experiences, and have fun.

Sibshops welcomes children ages 8-13. Meetings are held one Saturday per month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Vanderbilt University (new location TBD due to campus construction). Staff is comprised of volunteers, including Vanderbilt graduate students, staff, and faculty, and adult siblings of people with disabilities. All personnel have completed a background check and received training in protection of minors.

For more information on SibShops, visit https://redcap.link/VanderbiltSibshops.

01/05/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS!!

Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is preparing its annual Breaking Ground Arts Issue, and editors are seeking Tennesseans with disabilities who have art to showcase! Deadline to submit is Jan. 15.

LEARN MORE HERE: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/breaking_ground_arts_2026

Who can submit:
• Tennessee residents with disabilities
• Loved ones may help with submitting, but must not be responsible for creating the art.
• Work must be created by a human artist. Works that are entirely or mostly generated by AI are not eligible.

What you can submit:
• WRITTEN WORD: Share your stories, poems, or essays. We can accept submission up to 800 words that move us, inspire us, or challenge how we see the world.
• VISUAL CREATIONS: Paintings, drawings, digital art, sculptures - any medium you work in. Submit up to 3 pieces that showcase your unique artistic vision.
• PHOTOGRAPHY & CRAFTS: If you capture the world through a lens or make handmade creations, we want to see it. All photographic styles and craft mediums are welcome.
• PERFORMANCE ART: Theater, dance, music, spoken word. You can send us photos or a short video link that captures your performance and brings your art to life.

Check out 2025's Breaking Ground Arts Issue here: https://www.tn.gov/cdd/engage-with-us/breaking-ground/breaking-ground-121.html

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center!

We look to 2026 with renewed optimism for the days ahead in our pursuit to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

We wish you and your loved ones a prosperous New Year!

12/30/2025

Our first event of 2026! Register for this Jan. 15 Tennessee Disability Pathfinder webinar here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4fEkRfcLSSKy2US7tWzN_A #/registration

https://www.facebook.com/TNCouncilonDD/posts/pfbid02o3L9KQ6iMxPZaz81a6DtxaMcrMxoe28GjFAeg1WCKCLgpr7Vy9P57kMwC7aC62dkl

What are your New Year plans? Make financial security part of them!

Join our free webinar on Jan 15 to learn how ABLE TN empowers individuals with disabilities to save and invest confidently.

✅ Tax benefits
✅ Eligibility
✅ Best practices

Register now: https://mailchi.mp/vumc/tnpathfinder-webinar-navigating-future-financial-assistance-resources-with-able-tn-5809817

12/29/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we hope that you will please consider a tax-deductible year-end donation to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. The VKC accepts donations of any amount, including gifts in honor of or in memory of a loved one, all of which goes to further our Mission of facilitating discoveries and best practices to improve the lives of persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Learn more at https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/giving/.

12/25/2025

We wish you a very merry Christmas! Our offices are closed to allow our staff to spend time with their families. We hope you are spending quality time with the ones you love.

12/22/2025

We are so happy for our friend and longtime VKC researcher Ron Emeson and his well-earned retirement. It's a little bittersweet, but it's not farewell but "see you later!"

LINK:

Emeson has been on the Vanderbilt University faculty since 1991 has led the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee since 2008.

12/18/2025

More gift ideas -- Assistive Technology edition!

If you’re looking for toys that fit the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, these toys from Enabling Devices are specially designed to engage children with special needs and help them have fun as they explore. With switch-activated toys, users can learn cause and effect and build their comfort with new sensory input.

Enabling Devices offers hundreds of switch adapted toys for children with special needs and disabilities. Find the perfect toy and order online today!

12/16/2025

Here in Nashville, the presence of the e-scooter is a polarizing topic of discussion. (PSA: Please don't park e-scooters on curb cuts or in the middle of sidewalks. They're dangerous for wheelchair users and individuals with vision impairment!)

But one scooter company, Lime, recently announced that it will now offer free 24-hour adaptive vehicle rentals in Nashville for those with limited mobility.

The company announced last week that the adaptive vehicles will be provided through its Lime Assist program, which has already been launched in several other U.S. cities.

LINK HERE: https://www.wsmv.com/2025/12/11/lime-offering-free-adaptive-vehicle-rentals-nashville-residents-with-limited-mobility/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOn-8lleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJdnQ1eE90bzNLaWhlQ3VJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr2vtdOXonr4KLMhrmRzEHWXTlQDHTjineFjbBp7p7rNW-8eIYimyDGfhdqD_aem_EkheQWzAJdFV-d-VQT9Ztg

Lime is offering free 24-hour adaptive vehicle rentals to Nashville residents through its Lime Assist program.

12/15/2025

Hanukkah began last night, and Christmas is 10 days away, so there are a few shopping days ahead of us still. We'll be posting links to pages with accessible gift ideas for the next few days if you still need some last-minute inspiration!

These products and activities that were reviewed by experts in San Diego’s special needs community—local teachers, parents (with children of varying ages) and therapists (physical, ABA, occupational and speech therapists).

When you have a child with special needs, it's not always easy to find toys and activities that are engaging, accessible and developmentally-appropriate. We’re excited to share these products and activities that were reviewed by experts in San Diego's special needs community—local teachers, pare...

12/14/2025

Tonight is the first evening of Hanukkah 2025! We wish the most joyous Holiday of Lights to those who celebrate. 🕎