KNOXVILLE - Visit Knoxville has partnered with UT Medical on an Iris Program initiative, helping to “Make Visibility Possible” at key events for participants who voluntarily opt in. This program is designed to make Knoxville a community where invisible disabilities, including neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD, and sensory sensitivities are understood, respected, and supported. This initiative will position Knoxville as a national model for inclusive tourism, healthcare, and community care.

The mission of this program is to create a welcoming environment for everyone and to provide an informed response when needed at key events. When program participants voluntarily provide their information, then the venue’s ushers, security, and other staff can help to connect UT Medical’s Event Medicine team to the Iris Program participant for an educated response to that participant’s needs. The Iris Program provides visibility to help those with hidden disabilities feel seen and supported.

Participants can be anyone in the community including residents, patients, and visitors who will wear a discreet Iris Program wristband to signal that they may need patience, understanding, or assistance. For this initial trial period, the Iris Program’s pilot event will be the Luke Combs concert on May 2. Interested participants must opt-in through a form on Visit Knoxville’s Iris Program webpage no later than April 24, 2026. For the initial pilot, Iris Program wristbands may be picked up with a photo ID at the Sunsphere Welcome Center April 27–May 2, from 10AM–5PM (except during the 12:30–1:30PM lunch break), prior to the Luke Combs concert. More information on participation deadlines and wristband pick-up for the Luke Combs concert and future Iris Program events, including the Savannah Banana games in late May, will be shared on the Iris Program page. 

The goals of this program include:

• Awareness: Educate the public, tourism sector, and businesses about hidden disabilities and inclusive interactions.
• Visibility: Promote the Purple Iris symbol as a universal sign of compassion, understanding, and support.
• Accessibility: Integrate sensory and neurodivergent accommodations at key community and event locations.
• Partnership: Focus efforts to healthcare, schools, and tourism entities in a coordinated rollout by Visit Knoxville and UT Medical.
• Empowerment: Amplify voices of those with lived experience to guide program development and training.

Ultimately, the goal is to support people through visibility (made possible by the Iris Program wristbands) and understanding of autism, ADHD, and sensory differences. If support is needed, venue staff will be prepared to recognize the Iris Program wristband and notify UT Medical Event Medicine personnel, who can then assist the wearer using an inclusive and educated approach.

Visit Knoxville is co-leading this program to serve as a community-facing lead for awareness and visitor engagement. UT Medical is providing healthcare leadership and evidence-based training on hidden and neurodivergent disabilities, piloting the program across clinical and public areas, and collaborating on sensory comfort zone design and staff training.

“This is a really exciting and unique initiative that we are honored to co-lead,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “It’s our goal for Knoxville to be a welcoming community to all, and the Iris Program relays that messaging in an authentic and actionable way to residents and visitors alike.”

“In large event settings, small signals can make a big difference,” said Chris Ferron, Director of Advanced Practice, Urgent Care and Event Medicine at UT Medical. “The Iris Program helps our Event Medicine team quickly identify individuals who may need support and respond in a way that is informed, calm, and appropriate to their needs. It allows us to deliver care more effectively while helping create a more inclusive environment for attendees.”

Both Visit Knoxville and UT Medical are excited to pilot this program as a focused initiative for “Making Visibility Possible.” Future phases of the Iris Program will take shape as lessons are learned from the trial period and as future key events and venues are identified.