Upcoming Events – August 2025

Posted on by Pathfinder
Colorful graphic for “Back to School Events – August 2025,” by Tennessee Disability Pathfinder. Features a cheerful cartoon student wearing glasses, a red cap, and backpack. Bright yellow lines radiate above the word “Back,” emphasizing excitement. The Pathfinder bell logo appears in the top right. Background includes playful school-themed elements like a clock, books, and an apple, all set against a crumpled blue paper texture.

Find what’s happening in your area by visiting our Community Calendar and begin your journey with events that enhance your life experiences.  Also, follow us on social media to stay updated with events in the disability community.

Special Education Events

Flyer for a free “Introduction to Special Education Workshop” on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Eastern at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center, Knoxville, Tennessee. Designed for parents, caregivers, and professionals to learn about IEPs, eligibility, evaluations, timelines, related services, and parent rights. Registration required, adults only. Contact Mel Cygan at 865-690-8961, ext. 6708 or MECygan@etch.com. Sponsored by Children’s Hospital and TNSTEP. Includes photo of adults in a classroom and a headshot of trainer Joey Ellis.

We hope to see you on Tuesday, August 19th, at the East TN Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville for a workshop for parents, caregivers, and professionals. Led by TNSTEP’s Director of Youth Services, Joey Ellis, this session will cover everything from understanding special education eligibility and evaluations to preparing for an IEP meeting and knowing your basic rights as a parent.

Space is limited, so register now! For more details or to secure your spot, contact Mel Cygan at 865-690-8961 ext. 6708 or mecygan@etch.com.

 

Join The Arc Tennessee’s Family Engagement team for conversations about special education in Tennessee! 5 dates. Eight locations.

Informational flyer for the "East Tennessee Community Conversation" event, featuring colorful overlapping speech bubbles at the top. The flyer includes logos for Family Engagement in Special Education, The Arc Tennessee, and TN-TAN. Event details are provided: Bearden Branch Library, 100 Golf Club Road, Knoxville, TN 37919; August 23, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET; contact Shannon Efteland at [sefteland@thearctn.org](mailto:sefteland@thearctn.org). The flyer invites anyone involved in special education—students, families, educators, school board members, community members, and business leaders—to join a conversation about special education in Tennessee. There is a QR code and registration link ([https://tinyurl.com/2fe8bt2h] for attendees to sign up.

 

 

Your input will be shared with the Department of Education to help guide resources and provide feedback to schools and districts.

Anyone involved in special education is encouraged to attend, especially students, families, educators, school board members, community members, and business leaders. See images for details, click the links above, or scan the QR code to register.

 

This image is a flyer for the 'First Tennessee Community Conversation' event focused on special education. It features colorful speech bubbles at the top, logos for Family Engagement in Special Education, The Arc Tennessee, and TN-TAN (Tennessee Technical Assistance Network). The flyer provides details about the event: First Tennessee Community Conversation. Join The Arc Tennessee’s Family Engagement team for a conversation about special education in Tennessee! Your input will be shared with the Department of Education to help guide resources and provide meaningful feedback to schools and districts. Anyone involved in special education is encouraged to attend—especially students, families, educators, school board members, community members, and business leaders. Johnson City Public Library, 100 West Millard Street, Johnson City, TN 37604. August 28, 2025, 12 - 2 p.m. ET. Contact: Allison Martin at [amartin@thearctn.org](mailto:amartin@thearctn.org). Register Now (QR code) [https://tinyurl.com/4h86utdj]This image is a flyer for the 'South Central Tennessee Community Conversation' event focused on special education. It features logos for Family Engagement in Special Education, The Arc Tennessee, and TN-TAN (Tennessee Technical Assistance Network). The flyer includes colorful speech bubbles at the top, indicating a conversation theme. The main content of the flyer provides details about the event: South Central Tennessee Community Conversation. Join The Arc Tennessee’s Family Engagement team for a conversation about special education in Tennessee! Your input will be shared with the Department of Education to help guide resources and provide meaningful feedback to schools and districts. Anyone involved in special education is encouraged to attend—especially students, families, educators, school board members, community members, and business leaders. Tullahoma First Methodist Family Activity Center, 210 W. Lauderdale Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388. August 26, 2025, 6 - 7 p.m. CT. Contact: Beth Harrison at [bharrison@thearctn.org](mailto:bharrison@thearctn.org). Register Now (QR code) [https://tinyurl.com/tdrddhtu]

 

Community Events
A promotional flyer for the "2025 Regional Special Needs Expo" scheduled for August 16th from 10 AM to 3 PM at First Baptist Church Hendersonville. The flyer features a schedule of events including an opening ceremony, keynote address by Dr. Scott Langford, sessions on conservatorship and POA early intervention, Weekley Hall Singers & Fashion Show, supported employment in healthcare, and recreational opportunities with family supports and police training with IDD. Additional highlights include agency booths, a fashion show, workshops, and a QR code for registration as a sponsor, vendor, or volunteer. The website sumnercountyspecialneeds.org/events is provided for more information.
The Regional Special Needs Expo Saturday, August 16 10 AM – 3 PM! It’s a great time to connect with resources and other families. For a complete list of agencies that will be present, click on this link.

Logo for the Families First Program, featuring a blue circle with two white hands—one large and one small—overlapping in the center. The words "FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM" curve along the top edge of the circle, and "TRIAD.VUMC.ORG" curves along the bottom edge. The background is light blue. This image shows a program logo that visually represents support or partnership between adults and children, making it relevant for family-focused initiatives or organizations.

Mark your calendars! The next Families First webinar, “Pre-School Readiness,” hosted by the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD), is just around the corner. Join us on Monday, August 18, from 12–1 p.m. CT for this informative session. Families First is a monthly workshop series designed for parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder.

Register for the webinar here: https://redcap.vumc.org/surveys/?s=9CTTCTCA3NKDXHWL

 

A colorful poster for the 11th Annual Fall Festival featuring cartoon characters Smurfette and Papa Smurf surrounded by autumn leaves, pumpkins, children (including one in a wheelchair), and balloons. The event is for the special needs community and will be held on October 4 from 3-6 PM at Maury County Park, Baker and Exhibition Building. The poster includes the logo for Martiqua's Land of Hope and the phrase 'A Lil' Piece of Heaven While Here on Earth.'

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Marigua’s Land of Hope 11th Annual Fall Festival on October 4th, 3 PM to 6 PM. 1018 Maury County Park, Baker and Exhibition Building.

Come out and enjoy all the fun😊
  • Petting Zoo
  • Mobile sensory space
  • Bounce house
  • Games
  • Prizes
  • Food
  • Sweet treats
  • Character Appearances
  • Face painting
  • Cake walk
  • and more!!!

This event is for the special needs community and their families.

VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS NEEDED. Thanks in advance! Reach out to mlohmiracle@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of this magical day and have a smurftastic good time! 🎉

Promotional graphic for the VKC 60th Anniversary Virtual Celebration. The top section features bold white text on a teal background reading 'VKC 60th Anniversary Virtual Celebration: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future.' Below, there is a collage of historical and contemporary photographs, including people in suits shaking hands, a group gathered around a table with various objects, and individuals wearing sports attire and helmets. The bottom section has white italicized text on a black background stating 'Join us for this special virtual event on September 9th.'

Save the Date!

VKC 60th Anniversary Virtual Celebration: “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future”

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. CST

Register here.

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development was established on May 29, 1965. Over the past 60 years, our understanding and language regarding intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have changed considerably. We have also updated our research, training, clinical services, and interventions to stay current.

Join us for a lively discussion with VKC friends and colleagues, both past and present. They will share their experiences at the Center, discuss how VKC has impacted their careers, and explain why programs like IDDRC, UCEDD, and LEND are crucial for advancing IDD research.

REGISTER TODAY!https://vkc.vumc.org/events/7094