Upcoming Events – October 2025

Posted on by Pathfinder
A large white sign with bold red letters reads “UPCOMING EVENTS,” and below it, in smaller yellow text, “OCTOBER 2025.” The sign is placed in a pumpkin patch with several large orange pumpkins scattered on the ground. In the foreground, a small child wearing a floral top and blue jeans is standing near the pumpkins, facing the sign. The background shows green foliage and trees under a clear sky. The Tennessee Disability Pathfinder logo is visible in the upper left corner.

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.

disAbility Employment Events

ResourceAbility Fair | 2025

The Tennessee Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services is hosting the ResourceAbility Fair. This free event will bring together people with disabilities, educators, employers, and advocates to explore assistive technology that can make daily life and work easier.

October 20, 2025
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm CST

Location

Farm Bureau Expo Center
945 East Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, Tennessee 37087

You’ll find:

  • Assistive technology vendors ,..
  • Live demonstrations
  • Success stories
  • A keynote talk from Lorenzo T. Brown, founder of Is-Able Ministries and Executive Director of The Is-Able Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Register today!

For more information, visit their event page or contact TN.TTAP@tn.gov.

Click here to download the event flyer.

 

Join the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, for a vital panel discussion featuring Superintendents and education leaders from the Memphis area.

Pathways Forward: Superintendents on Postsecondary Success will feature school superintendents and education leaders from the Memphis area. They’ll talk about how schools can better support students and help them succeed after graduation.

The conversation will focus on leadership in education, creative approaches, and practical ideas to improve student outcomes, especially for students in Memphis.

This is a great opportunity for teachers, school staff, community members, and parents who want to help students build strong futures.

Click this link to register today! 

Community Events

The Tennessee Justice Center is hosting its Market & Resource Fair

Oct 10, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍Tennessee Justice Center
155 Lafayette Street
Nashville, TN 37210,
NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY!
Free groceries, clothing, healthcare resources, resources for seniors, voter registration, and other vital resources will be available thanks to our generous partner organizations.
See you there!
No entry is allowed until 10 AM.

 

Nana’s Circle Inc. invites you to support our families by joining our Winter Coat Drive. This effort helps ensure that our Nana’s Circle families stay warm and supported during the cold winter months.

You can make a difference in several ways:

  • Donate monetarily
  • Sponsor a new coat in new condition
  • Sponsor an entire family’s new coats in new condition
  • Contribute gloves, scarves, hats, or socks in new condition
We ask that all donors please fill out the following form to confirm their donation type. Our team will follow up with you once you’ve made your selection to provide you with the next steps and coat sizes needed. We’ll have a designated drop-off area at McGruder Family Resource Center. All details are below.
Donation Form Link: > Nana’s Circle Winter Coat Drive
Donation Deadline: Monday, October 20, 2025

Drop-off Location: McGruder Family Resource Center, 2013 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN

Drop-off Times: M – F, 8:30 AM – 5 PM

We’ve attached our flyer with details.

Your partnership helps bring warmth, hope, and care to families who need it most. Thank you for considering this opportunity to give back this season. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Andrea Hancock:

Also, if you haven’t already, please check out Nana’s Circle website: www.nanascircle.org

Looking for Halloween plans in the Cooper-Young area? Disability Connection Midsouth has you covered! They’re hosting a free, family-friendly, and inclusive Trunk-or-Treat event in the parking lot of First Congregational Church, and everyone is invited.

Here’s what to expect:

  • Festive car trunks filled with candy and games
  • Local resource and information tables tailored for individuals with disabilities
  • A frightfully fun evening for all ages!

For more details or to contribute candy donations, visit their website at disabilitymidsouth.org/events/trunk-or-treat.

Don’t miss out on this spooky celebration!

2025 Enabling Technology Summit: Architects of Innovation

Embassy Suites Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro TN, United States

Event description

The 2025 Enabling Technology and Innovation Summit will be held on Wednesday, November 12, and Thursday, November 13, 2025. This year’s theme of Architects of Innovation highlights how DDA continues to build new opportunities for people to live their best lives, most recently with the creation of its new Housing Innovation Program. The summit will highlight innovative work being accomplished across DDA and with community partners, with a focus on how Enabling Technology can benefit people of all ages at work, at home, and in the community.

More information about the event can be found on our Tech Summit webpage here.

Disability Celebrations

We love sharing events that honor disability awareness and achievements. These celebrations bring people together, create opportunities to learn, and recognize progress in our communities. Check out what’s coming up and join us in celebrating milestones that matter.
This month, we are celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM is a time to recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities and to promote inclusive workplaces. The 2025 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” highlights the importance of creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. Throughout October, we will share helpful resources and information to support and empower people with disabilities in finding and succeeding in jobs. Join us as we move beyond awareness into action, working together to ensure the employment success of individuals with disabilities. Let’s celebrate value and talent!
A graphic promoting Down Syndrome Awareness Month for October 2025. The design features the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder logo in the top left corner, bold blue text reading “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” with “October 2025” below it, and a blue and yellow awareness ribbon on the left side. On the right, there is a partial globe illustration in blue and yellow, and a child wearing a light pink outfit and a wide-brimmed hat is positioned in front of the globe.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

It’s a time to honor the unique abilities and achievements of people with Down syndrome and to learn more about their lives and experiences, while recognizing their contributions and the joy they bring to our communities. Let’s come together to celebrate and support the lives of individuals with Down syndrome!