STRIVER Day 2024
STRIVE4You invites you to STRIVER Day 2024, a unique event promoting healthy living, personal safety, and independence for individuals with Low Vision/blindness, their families, and the professionals who support them. With the generous support of our Partners—the Tennessee School for the Blind (TSB) and the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)—STRIVER Day will bring together adaptive sports, recreation, and life skills to foster empowerment and community engagement.
When: October 12, 2024
Time: 8:15 AM – 4:30 PM
Where: Tennessee School for the Blind, 115 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214
Register Sponsor Volunteer Presenters/Exhibitors
What is STRIVER Day?
STRIVER Day is an all-day adaptive sports and personal development conference designed to inspire active lifestyles, self-confidence, and independence. Attendees can participate in interactive hands-on breakout sessions showcasing adaptive sports, such as Pickleball, Horseback Riding, Ballroom Dancing, and beep kickball, while also learning valuable safety skills and techniques from our Safety Education Empowering Defense (SEED) program, which promotes confidence during independent travel. The goal is to help people with visual disabilities get active in their communities by equipping them with tools for personal safety, health, and recreation.
Who Should Attend?
STRIVER Day is a must-attend event for a diverse range of participants. Individuals with visual impairments and their families will benefit from exploring a variety of recreation and fitness opportunities, advocating for inclusive physical education and community-based programs, and learning about resources for leading healthy and active lives. Transition-age students will find valuable information on post-secondary education and career options in fields such as recreation, sports, health, fitness, and personal safety.
Professionals such as teachers, adaptive sports instructors, therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and veteran support staff will gain insights into making their programs more inclusive for individuals with visual impairments. The event also provides a chance to earn 5 hours of ACVREP Continuing Education Units (CEUs), enhancing their skills and supporting their professional development.
We strongly encourage the general public from the communities where we live, work, and play to attend STRIVER Day to gain a deeper understanding of the abilities of people with visual disabilities. By engaging directly with the blind and visually impaired community, attendees can challenge negative stereotypes and contribute to building a more inclusive society. A unique aspect of this event is the opportunity to experience adaptive sports with a blindfold, offering a glimpse into the world of those with visual impairments. While this experience does not fully replicate the daily realities of living with low vision or blindness, it provides a valuable perspective on the challenges and adaptations involved. This hands-on activity is a rare chance to connect with the blind community and better appreciate their experiences, fostering empathy and supporting efforts toward a more inclusive and supportive environment for all!
2024 STRIVER Day Sessions
STRIVE4You is thrilled about this year’s featured breakout sessions and activities! We are still finalizing this year’s presenters and sessions, so check back often for updates. Expected sessions include:
- Ballroom Dancing
- Pickleball
- Safety Education Empowering Defense (SEED) Intro to Self-Defense
- Disc Golf
- Intro To Horseback Riding
- Beep Kickball
- Adaptive Kayaking
- Healthy Cooking & Grilling
- ARISE Intro to Adaptive Recreation, Sports, & Physical Education
- Adaptive First Aid
- Disability-Related Expo
Registration Details
Registration is open until October 5th. After this date, a $10 late fee will apply.
- General Admission: $25
- Family Admission (Up to four): $60.00
- Children 5yrs and under: Free
- Professionals Seeking ACVREP (5 Continuing Education Units): $40
- Disabled Veterans, Veteran Caregivers, and VA Staff: Free*
Fees include 8 hours of interactive sessions, lunch, a goody bag, and access to the vendor expo.
Lodging
We recommend our partners at the Quality Suites Nashville Airport
2615 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214
STRIVE4You has secured a room rate of $114.00 (plus tax) per night for a two-queen bed suite, which includes a hot breakfast. The hotel is conveniently located 3 miles from both the airport and the conference venue and offers a free airport shuttle. This will be the host hotel for this event and will be the only venue STRIVE4You will provide a shuttle to the event venue. All attendees, outside of disabled veterans, are responsible for booking your own hotel accommodations. Disabled veterans will receive information on how to apply for travel assistance via email after registration has been received. Please note that to help save resources, veterans will share hotel rooms with another veteran unless special circumstances apply.
Support for Veterans with Disabilities & VA Staff
Thanks to our partners, the Tennessee School for the Blind (TSB) and the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), as well as partial support from the VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, through the STRIVE4You Veteran’s Healthy Tomorrow Initiative, we are proud to offer travel and lodging assistance for disabled veterans. This includes flights, lodging, and meals for the event. Funding is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited funding is also available for caregivers/spouses for specific needs. Veterans will have the opportunity to try new activities and learn about resources to improve their physical and mental health. We are honored to support those who have bravely served our country, as well as the professionals who support them.
Any VA staff member wishing to attend is also welcome to attend FREE of charge, though travel and lodging assistance is not provided.
For any additional questions or further details, please feel free to contact us!
For general admission attendees, other than disabled veterans, you are responsible for booking your own hotel accommodations. Disabled veterans will receive an email after your registration is confirmed with info for securing travel assistants.
Sponsorship, Presenter, Exhibitor, and Volunteer Opportunities
We invite organizations and individuals to become part of STRIVER Day 2024 by sponsoring, presenting, exhibiting, or volunteering. You can find more information and register by visiting the following pages: