Events & Opportunities – March 2026

Posted on by Pathfinder
Illustrated graphic with a spring theme showing colorful flowers, green leaves, and a bright blue sky. A gold and green compass icon appears in the upper left corner. Bold white text in the center reads “Upcoming Events & Opportunities.” In the upper right corner, the text “March 2026” is displayed in multicolored lettering.

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.

Pathfinder Events

Flyer promoting the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder webinar titled “Navigating Financial Assistance Resources with Families First & SNAP.” The flyer includes the Pathfinder logo, event date and time, a photo of a family sitting together reading, presenter names, interpreter availability, and logos for Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The flyer highlights that the webinar will explain eligibility rules, application steps, and how Families First and SNAP support essential household needs.

Don’t forget to register for our webinar!

Navigating Financial Assistance with Families First & SNAP

🗓 Thursday, March 26, 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CT
💻 Virtual via Zoom. Presented in English.

Join us for a quick, practical overview of two key financial support programs, Families Firstand SNAP. Learn the newest eligibility updates, what to expect during the application process, and how these programs can work together to help cover essentials like food, transportation, and basic living needs.

Presenters:
• Lakecia Peterson, Families First
• Michelle Joyner, SNAP

Interpreter Support:
ASL, Arabic, and Spanish interpretation are available upon request during registration. Any

👉 Register Now!

Pathfinder Collaborative Events

Promotional graphic for the Little Blue Theatre production All Smiles. The background features a vibrant cloud of swirling colors—pink, purple, blue, and orange—blending together like paint or powder. Centered on the image, the title “All Smiles” appears in large, rounded white letters designed to look like connected pipes. At the top, a white bar contains text reading “A sensory-friendly show about big feelings | Perfect for ages 0–6.” At the bottom, the dates “March 13–22” are displayed, along with the Little Blue Theatre logo in the lower right corner.

All Smiles: A Joyful, Interactive Performance for Young Children

This March, All Smiles brings a bright, engaging theater experience to young children and their families in Nashville. Designed for ages 0–6, the production invites children to move, explore, make noise, and participate, creating a playful space where big feelings and everyday emotions take center stage.

Through color, sound, and gentle interaction, the show guides children as characters work through excitement, worry, disappointment, and bravery. The experience is crafted to meet young audience members right where they are, especially those who connect best through movement and hands‑on engagement.

Pathfinder will be on‑site during performance dates. Meet us there! Staff will be available to share resource information and answer questions for families attending the show.

Show Details:
📅 March 13–22
⏰ Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 10:30 AM CT
⏰ Additional Saturday show at 1:00 PM CT
📍 Centennial Performing Arts Studios – Black Box Theatre
🎟️ Tickets: $5 for ages 0–6; $10 for ages 7+
🔗 Learn more: www.littlebluetheatre.org

This spring performance offers families a meaningful and memorable way to help young children explore feelings and experiences in a supportive, creative environment.

A bright purple event poster with a cartoon‑style design promoting “We See You, Memphis!”, an event for individuals with hidden disabilities. At the top, large yellow and purple text reads “We See You, Memphis!” with a diagonal awareness ribbon next to it. A purple skyline of Memphis stretches across the background with stars, balloons, hearts, and small icons scattered around. Below the header, a banner says “An Inclusive Event for Individuals with Hidden Disabilities!” The date “March 26, 2026” is shown in a yellow ribbon above the main message “Celebrate Purple Day! A Day Dedicated to Epilepsy Awareness.” Surrounding the text are illustrations of items related to neurological or health needs, including medication bottles, headphones, fidget tools, glasses, a magnifying glass, and labels that say “ADHD” and “Anxiety.” A cartoon service dog wearing a vest appears near the bottom left. At the bottom, a banner reads “Resources • Support • Fun Activities! All Are Welcome!” The event details listed are “4 PM – 7 PM, University of Memphis, University Center.” The entire poster uses shades of purple with yellow and pink accents.

We See You, Memphis

Memphis is gearing up for a brand‑new citywide gathering, and this one’s all about shining a light on hidden disabilities and the families who navigate them every day. The first‑annual We See You, Memphis event is bringing the community together for a day filled with resources, activities, and interactive experiences designed to connect, inform, and celebrate.

📅 Date: Purple Day! March 26, 2026
⏰ Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT
📍 Location: University Center, University of Memphis
499 University St, Memphis, TN 38152

A Glimpse of What’s Happening

A huge resource showcase

A wide mix of organizations, service providers, speakers, and community groups will be on-site, sharing helpful information, tools, and resources for individuals and families. Visitors can explore tables, ask questions, and discover supports they may not have encountered before.

Sensory‑friendly spaces
Areas and activities set up with intentional design so attendees can explore comfortably and at their own pace.

Hands‑on activities & family fun
Interactive stations, demonstrations, and entertainment throughout the day.

A community moment
Residents and partners gathering to highlight the realities of conditions that aren’t always visible, and the many ways support can make a difference.

Pathfinder’s Role

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is participating as an event partner, offering statewide resource guidance and helping visitors connect with programs that fit their needs.

Want to Attend? 

You don’t need to register to attend, but reserving your spot helps us plan for the best experience. Reserve your spot today!

Want to Be Part of It?

Organizations and supporters are invited to get involved through:

  • Sponsorships
  • In‑kind support
  • Financial contributions
  • Resource tables
  • Collaborative partnerships

Every level of participation helps strengthen the event and expand what’s possible for families attending.

About the Host Organization

B.E.A.T.S (Bringing Epilepsy Awareness To Society) creates community‑focused experiences that raise awareness, support families, and highlight practical tools for those navigating hidden disabilities. Their work has been recognized by regional media for leadership in epilepsy education and safety initiatives.

The third annual Evening for Autism is coming up soon, offering a night of live music and community support for the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorder (TRIAD).

📅 Date: March 31, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
📍 Location: The Nashville Palace, 2611 McGavock Pike
🎟️ Tickets: Now on sale
🔗 Event Link: https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/eveningforautism

Presented by the Country Music Autism Awareness Foundation, with generous support from Gus Arendale and Springer Mountain Farms, the event will feature performances from:

  • Darryl Worley
  • John Berry
  • Deborah Allen
  • Doug Mathis
  • Cody McCarver
  • Faron Hamblin
  • Dillan Massengale
  • Greg Marlow
  • Neah McMeen

Additional artists will be announced, and guests can also take part in a Silent Auction.

TRIAD is nationally recognized for its work to enhance assessment and treatment services, advance innovative research, and expand training opportunities for educators, professionals, and community partners. The program serves all 95 Tennessee counties, bringing evidence‑based resources and support to communities statewide. More information about TRIAD is available at: https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/triad/home/.

This event offers an opportunity to support TRIAD’s mission and the families it serves. Attendees are encouraged to share the event within their networks.

CommunityEvents

A promotional flyer with a dark blue background announces an online event titled “Sign Languages of the World.” The top section states the date and time: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM (Central Time). A QR code is shown with instructions to scan it or email lsdhh@nashville.gov to receive the Zoom link. Icons indicate interpreting and captioning services. The middle section features an illustrated image of a globe beside the event title and a short description about exploring the diversity, history, and global impact of sign languages, including ASL. The bottom section notes that Dr. Carol Padden is Dean of the School of Social Sciences and a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Diego. A small professional portrait appears in the lower right corner.

Join the Tennessee Council for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CT, for Sign Languages of the World, a session exploring the diversity, history, and global impact of sign languages.
The event features Dr. Carol Padden, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Diego. Attendees will learn how sign languages vary across countries and cultures, and how ASL fits within this worldwide landscape. A QR code is provided on the flyer to request the Zoom link.

You can click here.to register.