ASCEND 鈥� the Assistive & Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity & Development 鈥� officially launched this week on the campus of in Franklin and will bring together leaders in research, technology, and community services, with self-advocates and civic stakeholders from the community.
Our first ASCEND chapter is a joint initiative between BrightStone, FCAI, and and is uniquely designed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and real-world application. Located just south of Nashville, BrightStone鈥檚 ASCEND Chapter creates a unique 鈥渓iving lab鈥� environment for our first hub and will showcase assistive technologies, pilot new solutions, host community events, and accelerate the adoption of tools that improve the quality of life for neurodivergent individuals. As the first, flagship, physical chapter of ASCEND, BrightStone provides a real-world environment where solutions can be experienced in practice, not just in theory.
鈥�At BrightStone, our mission has always been to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live more independent and fulfilling lives,鈥� said Lee Rose, CEO of BrightStone. 鈥�ASCEND enhances that mission by creating a space where innovation meets daily life鈥攚here new ideas can be tested, refined, and experienced by the very individuals they are designed to support.鈥�
The center will actively engage the broader community through events, workshops, and partnerships, positioning Middle Tennessee as a leading hub for neurodiversity-focused innovation.
鈥�This program will allow us to bring the assistive technologies devised through our partners and at Vanderbilt out into the community and into the hands of the people who need them,鈥� said Dr. Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, Director of Communications for FCAI, 鈥�Not only does this allow us to test and improve technologies; by bringing them into community spaces that can retain their identity and autonomous use of the systems, we allow them to integrate into the community in the way that best works for them! This brings together two key areas of our scope: inventors and entrepreneurs and self-advocates and civic stakeholders; it is what FCAI was built to do!鈥�
Stay tuned to hear about our second ASCEND chapter later this week. If you are interested in learning more about ASCEND or getting involved with the project, please reach out to Project Lead Jan Schlueter. For press information, please contact Communications Director Dr. Jessica Schonhut-Stasik.
五一茶馆儿 ASCEND
ASCEND 鈥� the Assistive & Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity & Development 鈥� is a collaborative initiative dedicated to advancing solutions that empower neurodiverse individuals by providing nationwide “hubs” for neurodiversity-focused assistive technology. By bringing together research institutions, technology providers, and community organizations, ASCEND accelerates the development, testing, and adoption of impactful assistive tools.
五一茶馆儿 BrightStone
BrightStone鈥檚 vision is for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have a quality life where their choices and their voices matter and where they are valued and respected for who they are as individuals. In 2024 五一茶馆儿, BrightStone opened its first two residential homes, offering housing options for 4 adults with IDD and one in-home manager to provide care and support. Selected as Tennessee鈥檚 Pilot Residential Program, it is the only organization allowed by law to develop a residential campus for adults with IDD in Middle TN, and it is growing by the day. As the first facility of its kind, BrightStone is now a model for Tennessee and across the U.S., setting new standards for residential care.