Our Foundation is committed to hosting an event that prioritizes the health and safety of our attendees, speakers, and staff.

Our COVID-19 mitigation protocol includes the following:

• Attendees who are ill (including, but not limited to, symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19), regardless of vaccination status, should not attend ASCEND.
• Proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID test taken at most 72 hours before Summit check-in will be required to be admitted to any sessions or events hosted by our Foundation. Please note that most at-home rapid tests will NOT meet this requirement. We have partnered with VeriFLY, a secure travel and event app, to check and verify these requirements (see instruction below).
  • Vaccination: The final dose of the initial vaccination (not a booster) must have been administered at least 14 days before the event. VeriFLY supports Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or AstraZeneca vaccines.
  • COVID Test: The COVID test must be taken within 72 hours before the event begins. VeriFLY supports PCR, Antigen, NAAT, LAMP, or TMA tests. At-home, self-administered tests will be accepted as long as they adhere to CDC guidelines that are used for entry to the US:
    • The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
    • The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection.
    • The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order.
    • The test report must contain the person’s first and last name, date of birth, test collection date, test type, and test result.
    • VeriFLY does not accept tests that merely have some kind of dot or line indicator for the results (like what you would see on an at-home pregnancy test, for example).
• At this time, face masks are strongly recommended but not required for ASCEND sessions and social events. Please view the complete mask policy in the below section. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and reserve the right to adjust mask requirements at any time before and during ASCEND.
• IRSF will enforce the CDC guidelines that are in place at the time of the event, informed by any local or regional mandates.

IRSF will continue to monitor the national, state, and local COVID-19 situation; thus these guidelines may change as needed. We thank you for your commitment to our community’s health and your understanding as we navigate the ever-changing environment. 

At this time, face masks are strongly recommended but not required for ASCEND sessions and social events. A face mask will be provided to each registered attendee at registration, but each attendee may make their own decision on masking based on their personal preference and informed by their personal level of risk.

Please help us keep all members of our community safe, including those at higher risk for severe illness, by respecting your fellow attendees’ personal choice to mask. If approaching a person wearing a mask, including when seeking out researchers and clinicians, please wear your mask as a courtesy to the members of our community.

If traveling to ASCEND via public transportation, please be advised that CDC still strongly recommends wearing a mask on airplanes, buses, and trains and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs like airports. For more information and recommendations, visit their website.

We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and reserve the right to adjust mask requirements at any time before and during ASCEND. We thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our Rett community safe.

How does VeriFLY work?

1. Simply download the VeriFLY app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
2. Register with VeriFLY, which will require taking a selfie and confirming your email address.
3. Now that you are registered in the app, you need to access a unique “pass” designed for our event. In the VeriFLY app, tap “Scan VeriFLY Code” and scan the QR code sent to you via email or available for attendees in the Whova app. *You must use this QR code; our event is not searchable within the VeriFLY app.
4. VeriFLY will then guide you through the event requirements.
5. Upload the required document(s) and VeriFLY will check them and confirm if they are valid. When your document(s) have been verified, the app will display that you have a valid pass for the event.
6. You can show that pass at the conference check-in.

The online VeriFLY Help Center (https://support.myverifly.com/) has many useful articles and tips for using VeriFLY. If you require any further assistance, you can submit a support request through the app or in the VeriFLY Help Center.

**If you choose not to use VeriFLY, you will be required to show proof of vaccination or third party administered negative COVID test (see COVID policy), which will be verified for you at the registration check-in desk. This may take longer. It will be your responsibility to ensure you bring the required compliance documentation.**

What is VeriFLY’s privacy policy?
VeriFLY’s privacy-centric design ensures the user’s data is secured and only used for the purpose and period of time required to satisfy event requirements. Moreover, VeriFLY users will maintain strict controls over how, when and with whom their information is shared. You can view the complete privacy policy here.

IRSF has partnered with Concierge M.D. to provide a limited number of COVID-19 tests to attendees onsite at the Gaylord Opryland. Walk-ins will be accepted though it is recommended that you pre-register by clicking here. Pre-registration does not guarantee you a test.

Schedule:

• Tuesday, April 26^th, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 27^th, 2-6 p.m.
• Thursday, April 28^th, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Location:

Cheekwood D on the Magnolia Mezzanine Level

Cost:

$50 per test (antigen; results in 15-20 mins) or $130 per test (PCR; results in 24 hours)

The ASCEND Summit sessions are designed for adults, caregivers, and professionals only. Loved ones with Rett syndrome and children are welcome, but the Summit experience may not be well-suited for them. 

Who Can Attend the Summit Sessions? 

1. The Summit sessions are designed for adults. The content is fast-paced and may not be appropriate for children under 18 and those with Rett syndrome. 
2. Loved ones with Rett syndrome and children are welcome at Summit evening social events (if they meet IRSF’s Covid protocol), but we request that you please make a caregiver plan for your child(ren) during sessions so that you and other participants can benefit from our speakers. (Visit Gaylord Amenities & Activities to help plan activities for your children.)
3. Session recordings will be available for Summit registrants following the event. 

Summit registration includes a continental breakfast (Thursday, 28th; Friday, 29th; Saturday, 30th) and a boxed lunch (Thursday, 28th; Friday, 29th) for Summit registrants only. Non-paid family members may take advantage of the many restaurants within Gaylord Opryland’s hotel or visit the nearby Opry Mills Mall food court. 

We had hoped to offer respite care for individuals with Rett syndrome during ASCEND. Unfortunately, due to the shortage of licensed, professional nursing services, we cannot provide respite services for this year’s event.

ASCEND is designed for adult caregivers. Loved ones with Rett syndrome and children are welcome at Summit social events (if they meet IRSF’s Covid protocol), but the overall Summit experience may not be well-suited for them. Please make a caregiver plan for your child(ren) during sessions so that you and other participants can benefit from our speakers.

Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center: Our room block is very full. Please check back often to see if availability has opened up.  Gaylord is anticipating a very busy spring 2022. The hospitality industry is bouncing back from COVID and is expecting many conferences to rebook; therefore, room availability may be somewhat limited. Please check out other nearby hotels. 

1. Our room block has double, standard, and accessible rooms. 
2. Need additional nights? We worked with the Gaylord to guarantee a certain number of standard and accessible rooms for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at a discounted rate. Depending on availability, you may be able to add on nights before or after the event. If you would like to add days or make special requests, please call the hotel directly and mention you are with the Rett Syndrome ASCEND Conference. Please note that this room block is filling up quickly.
3. Gaylord parking: 4 complimentary electric car charging stations, $32/day on-site parking, $40/day valet parking. All prices are subject to tax.
4. Gaylord Amenities & Activities 

Additional Hotel Options within a 10-Minute Drive:

1. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Nashville
   615-290-5233, website
2. Hyatt Place Nashville/Opryland
   615-872-0422, website
3. Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville at Opryland
   615-620-2500, website
4. Comfort Inn Nashville – Opryland Area
   615-889-0090, website
5. Courtyard by Marriott Nashville at Opryland
   615-882-9133, website
6. Best Western Suites Near Opryland
   615-902-9940, website
7. Residence Inn by Marriott Nashville at Opryland
   615-265-0345, website
8. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Nashville at Opryland
   615-872-8939, website
9. Quality Inn Opryland Area
   629-666-5230, website
10. Fiddler’s Inn
    615-885-1440, website
11. Ramada by Wyndham Nashville/Music Valley
    615-885-4030, website
12. Holiday Inn Experess & Suites Nashville Opryland
    615-829-7777, website

Airport 

1. Nashville International Airport (BNA)
2. Airport phone: +1 615-275-1600
3. Hotel direction: 8.3 miles north
4. The Gaylord Opryland has updated its airport shuttle service. During the conference, the shuttle will run every hour at the top of the hour, from the Cascades Canopy at the Resort to BNA and on the bottom of the hour from BNA to the Resort. All airport shuttles have a wheelchair lift. Tickets are $18 each way, based on availability, and must be purchased in advance by clicking here. 
5. Driving directions: Exit the airport onto Interstate 40 West. Follow Interstate 40 West to exit 215B and merge onto TN-155 North/Briley Parkway. Continue on Briley Parkway to exit 12 for McGavock Pike toward Opryland Hotel/Convention Center/Music Valley Drive. Merge onto McGavock Pike, then turn left at Music Valley Drive towards Opryland Dr. The hotel is on the left.

Accessibility
Empowertn.org and notesonnashville.com both provide resources on navigating the city with wheelchairs. Visit Nashville Visitor’s Guide for tips on accessibility. A couple of highlights include the ADA alternative to MTA public transit. Note: An application must be filled out in advance of visiting Nashville. Three taxi services offer ramped wheelchair accessible vans, notesonnashville.com provides tips on finding free parking downtown, and empowertn.org rates some local attractions on their accessibility. All in all, Nashville is wheelchair friendly!

IRSF is committed to providing quality programming at the ASCEND 2022 Rett Syndrome National Summit. Registrants may attend the live event and will have access to recordings afterward. For this reason, a confirmed registration may not be canceled. Please note: speakers and agenda are subject to change. In the event of a speaker cancellation, every effort to find a suitable replacement will be made. For more information, please contact [email protected].

I understand and agree that I am voluntarily participating in the ASCEND 2022 Rett Syndrome National Summit, hosted by the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, at my own risk and my own request. I hereby waive all claims against International Rett Syndrome Foundation, its employees, Board of Directors, contractors, event sponsors, personnel, and volunteers for injury or loss that I might suffer as a result of my participation. I also grant full permission for the free use of my name, picture, and voice in the broadcast, telecast, print account, or any other account in any medium of this event. I attest that I am over the age of 18 and am able to make these representations on behalf of myself or am the legal guardian of the individual being registered.