Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

08/24/2026

DON’T FORGET! The final day to submit a poster abstract for 2026 VKC Science Day is this Friday, Aug. 28!

Visit the VKC Science Day webpage for links to submit an abstract or register to attend! LINK: https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/scienceday/

08/20/2026

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!
The Multisensory Lab at Vanderbilt University Is seeking children and adults to participate in a study assessing sensory function across development. The work in the Multisensory Lab focuses on how individuals combine sights, sounds and touch into a single view of the world. To do this, children and adults will engage with various stimuli in an immersive 3-D environment. Participants will take part in behavioral tasks and games, and in some we will do non-invasive (EEG) brain recordings in which they wear a comfortable net on their heads.

You or your child may be eligible to participate if you are between the ages of 0 and 65 years of age. The study will take between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on which activities you would like to participate in. You will be asked to come back at regular 6-month intervals (your return visits are completely voluntary). Participants will receive compensation in the form of gift cards. The study will take place at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Parking will be provided.

If you are interested in participating or learning more about this study, please email [email protected].

08/18/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Two investigators from the Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab, which studies the relationships between music and health, have received a grant from the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative to further their research on virtual interventions for preterm infants that harness music to promote development.

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

ARTICLE LINK:
https://news.vumc.org/2026/05/05/music-cognition-lab-investigators-receive-grant-for-research-on-virtual-interventions-for-preterm-infants/

The funding will expand the lab’s work to improve the development of preterm infants through the therapeutic power of music.

08/14/2026

LAST DAY! If you want to participate in the Science Day Poster Competition to compete for cash prizes and other cool items, get your abstract in by tonight! For more information, visit https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/scienceday/.

08/13/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Many people are aware that students with disabilities are able to access an education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and having an Individualized Education Program (IEP), but there is much less awareness and research about the access for students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

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

ARTICLE LINK:
https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/07/series-of-infographics-highlights-section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-and-ways-it-can-help-students-with-disabilities/

Many people are aware that students with disabilities are able to access an education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and having an Individualized Education Program (IEP), but there is much less awareness and research...Read more

08/11/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: A new publication, “A Unified DD Network Approach to a Statewide Needs Assessment,” is now available in the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal. The publication describes how Tennessee’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network came together to conduct a first-of-its-kind statewide needs assessment designed to better understand the experiences, priorities, and support needs of people with disabilities and their families across the state.

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

ARTICLE LINK:
https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/07/tn-dd-network-publication-highlights-the-power-of-collaboration-in-understanding-community-needs/

A new publication, “A Unified DD Network Approach to a Statewide Needs Assessment,” is now available in the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal. The publication describes how Tennessee’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network came together to conduct a...Read more

08/10/2026

Congratulations to VKC member Rachel Schles, who is the recipient of the American Foundation for the Blind's 2026 Corinne Kirchner Research Award. Schles was chosen for her contributions to research that advances educational opportunities and outcomes for children and youths who are blind or have low vision.

Learn more here: https://vkc.vumc.org/news/4220

08/06/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) associate director Laurie Cutting, Ph.D., and Vanderbilt Consortium LEND director Evon Lee, Ph.D., were both honored with awards from state and local entities for their commitment to serving individuals with disabilities in our community.

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

ARTICLE LINK:
https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/07/laurie-cutting-evon-lee-lauded-for-their-commitment-to-disability-research-training/

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) associate director Laurie Cutting, Ph.D., and Vanderbilt Consortium LEND director Evon Lee, Ph.D., were both honored with awards from state and local entities for their commitment to serving individuals with disabilities in...Read more

08/05/2026

We were honored to welcome Administration on Disabilities Commissioner Rebecca Hines and Office of Disability Services Innovation Director Ophelia McLain to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center last week.

Their visit let us showcase our work advancing belonging, independence and opportunities for people with disabilities, and highlight partnerships that drive change in communities across Tennessee.

Tennessee's Developmental Disabilities Network joined us for a roundtable discussion. The visit concluded with a community conversation among stakeholders to share experiences, perspectives and ideas related to disability services and supports in our state.
Pictured left to right: Julie Lounds Taylor and Pablo Juarez, Co-directors of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; McLain; Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee (SILC‑TN) Director Edward Mitchell; Hines; UT Health Sciences Center on Developmental Disabilities Director Bruce Keisling; Disability Rights Tennessee Director Anna Bass; and Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities Executive Director Lauren Pearcy.

08/04/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is part of a five-state research group that recently released significant findings on the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) among children in the United States. CP is the most common cause of lifelong motor disability in children that results from abnormal development or injury to the developing brain before, during or shortly after birth.

The study, published in the American Academy of Pediatrics publication Pediatrics: Open Science, offers a comprehensive look at the condition and emphasizes encouraging progress in early identification.

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

ARTICLE LINK:
https://news.vumc.org/2026/06/25/earlier-diagnosis-of-cerebral-palsy-signals-progress-in-early-detection-efforts/

Multistate study led in part by Vanderbilt Kennedy Center shows cerebral palsy in children is being identified sooner, opening doors for earlier intervention.