Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

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. 🕎

12/12/2025

The VKC is thrilled to announce that our own Pablo Juárez, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, co-director of the VKC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD), has been confirmed as president-elect of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).

We cannot think of a person more qualified for the job. We are so proud of you, Pablo! Learn more about the new appointment here: https://vkc.vumc.org/news/4198

AUCD is a national network dedicated to advancing policy, research, education, and service to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Juárez’s election to this role reflects his longstanding commitment to innovation in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Learn more about AUCD here: https://www.aucd.org/home

12/11/2025

For those of us still looking for gift ideas, inspiration is only a few clicks away! Here, the New York Times provided a list of accessible toys for the kiddos in your life.

When you have a child with disabilities, the toy bin can become a toolbox filled with items to help them grow — and bring them joy.

12/10/2025

VKC researcher Stephan Heckers, MD, M.Sc., is stepping down from his role as chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the end of the academic year. He will continue to see patients, conduct research and lead the Vanderbilt Early Psychosis Program, an internationally recognized translational research program.

Heckers is currently VUMC’s longest serving clinical department chair. He credits his longevity to the department’s culture and tradition of steady leadership, with each of the three previous chairs serving for periods of similar length.

Thank you, Dr. Heckers, for your years of leadership, and best of luck as you transition into this new phase of your career!

https://news.vumc.org/2025/12/09/stephan-heckers-to-step-down-after-two-decades-as-department-of-psychiatry-and-behavioral-sciences-chair/

Heckers is currently VUMC’s longest serving clinical department chair. He credits his longevity to the department’s culture and tradition of steady leadership, with each of the three previous chairs serving for periods of similar length.

12/09/2025

It takes a pretty big room to get the entire Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) team together for their quarterly meeting! The gang’s all here for some holiday cheer in addition to a little bit of work. The morning was filled with team updates and gratitude for all the incredible work achieved by an amazing group of staff members throughout the year.

12/08/2025

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center offers a vast collection of tip sheets and printable resources free of charge to families, health care professionals, educators, and self-advocates on its website, and it’s continually growing its collection by adding new materials. Here are some of the newest additions to the VKC’s library of resources.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2025/11/vanderbilt-kennedy-center-offers-new-resources-on-telehealth-exceptional-education-and-teaching-school-readiness-among-others/

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center offers a vast collection of tip sheets and printable resources free of charge to families, health care professionals, educators, and self-advocates on its website, and it’s continually growing its collection by adding...Read more

12/05/2025

We are grateful to Dr. Andre Churchwell, Vanderbilt University, and the Nashville Public Library for a great discussion Wednesday evening where local historians and disability self-advocates shared what their life looks like as a Nashvillian with a disability. Our own friend and colleague Megan Hart with Tennessee Disability Pathfinder served as one of the panelists and did an amazing job!

For those who missed the discussion, the recording is available on YouTube at the link below!

Now in its third year, the Then and Now program explores the history and impact of Nashville's minority communities through the scholarly work of historians ...