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Inclusive Halloween, Harvest & Fall Events are happening throughout October and are listed in this edition's Recreation section. Caregiver workshops cover Family Leadership Training, DDS & PCA supports, Transition to Adult, and more. October Disability Events Include:
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• Family Leadership Disability Training for Massachusetts
• Dept. of Dev. Services Overview for Families & SEPACs
• Intro to PCA (Personal Care Attendant) Services
• Durable Medical Equipment & AT Event: Worcester
• School Discipline - Know Your Rights
• One Care Benefits Federal Changes for Mass Health
• "Planning a Life" - Disability Transition Support
• Transition-to-Adult Resources Fair in Greenfield
Have an inclusive holiday event coming up? Use our Submit an Event link to send us info! Sharon Marie
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Virtual Family Leadership Disability Training for Massachusetts:- Application Deadline - October 25th. The Family Leadership Series empowers parents and caregivers of people with disabilities to become strong leaders. Find your voice, sharpen your advocacy, and lead with clarity, confidence, and vision. Learn what works when it comes to supporting your loved ones in living fully...Read more
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Down Syndrome Special Health Care Needs, Behavioral Needs: Virtual Group, October 25th, The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and the Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program co-host this support group for families to virutally connect with others and feel supported. October Topic: Supports for Dual Diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder...Read more
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Introduction to PCA (Personal Care Attendant) Services Webinar, October 28th, with the Charles River Center in Needham. Part of the Charles River Center's Family Workshop Series. Presented by Sarah Jefferson, Mass Family Voices Coordinator, The Federation for Children with Special Needs. Families will learn: Who qualifies for PCA services, How to get PCA services, How to hire a PCA...Read more
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School Discipline - Know Your Rights: Webinar, October 29th, with the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee in Boston. Has your child been unfairly suspended or expelled from school? Hear from advocates from Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee on the rights you have when your student is disciplined. If you require translation...Read more
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Rare New England Conference 2025 Manchester, NH, November 1st. Rare New England will host Empowering Rare Lives: Advocacy, Resilience, And Readiness For The Rare Journey and is for patients and families. This event will feature round table discussions, workshops, an exhibitor...Read more
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Disability Community Meeting & Resource Fair: Needham Town Hall and Hybrid format, November 4th, with The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Join a community hearing to listen and learn from individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, service providers, and advocates, and to connect with local organizations, state agencies, disability...Read more
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Inclusive Recreation for All Ages
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Inclusive Fall & Halloween Events:
• Acton: Sensory “Spooktacular” for Young Children
• Beverly: Sensory-Friendly Halloween on the Hill
• Cambridge: Sensory NE Film Orchestra Halloween Concert
• Concord: Inclusive Halloween Dance/18+
• Dedham Square Circle: Sensory Trunk or Treat
• Lexington: Haunted House Sensory Hours
• Northampton: Inclusive Costume Karaoke Party
• Natick Mall: Sensory-Friendly Mall-O-Ween
• New Bedford: Boo at the Zoo
• Old Sturbridge: Phantoms & Fire
• Providence: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
• Sudbury: Accessible Trick-Or Treat For Everybody
• Stockbridge: Naumkeag Pumpkin Show Sensory Hours
• Worcester: Boo in the Woods/ Polar Park...Lots More
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Sensory Friendly Hours at the Audubon, Bristol, RI: October 28th, November 9th. People with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other sensory processing sensitivities are invited to discover nature at the Center with fewer guests and a quieter environment, lower lighting and no screens. There will be a maximum of 12 visitors in the Nature Center...Read more
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"ACEing Autism" Tennis - Wayland: Through November 23rd. For children with autism aged 5 to 18. To ensure personalized attention and support, each participant is paired up with one or two volunteers based on their needs. Each clinic is led by trained Program Directors and dedicated volunteers. Formal diagnosis not...Read more
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Inclusive Team Sports
* Danvers: Inclyousion Baseball, Track, Field
* Grafton: Incyousion Floor Hockey, Bball
* Hingham: Basketball for Special Needs
* Leominster Challenger Basketball
* Springfield: Wheelchair Basketball for All
* Waltham: iCan Fly Goal Soccer more
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Wings for Autism® Logan Airport, Boston, November 8th, with the Charles River Center of Needham. Free. Specifically designed to support families of children with autism, creating a travel test run to help ease the stress of airline travel. By getting comfortable with the airport and flight experience without actually leaving the airport, parents and their children with special needs can gain...Read more
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Adaptive & Para Sports Day in Medford: November 9th. Join Adaptive Sports New England and local adaptive sports organizations for a day of fun, games and more. Designed to introduce Paralympic sports and skills to participants with a mobility or visual impairment. Free and for all ages. Try these sports: curling, tennis, skiing, wheelchair lacrosse, wheelchair basketball, sled hockey, rowing, beep baseball...Read more
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Sensory-Friendly Play Sessions: Every Child Initiative in Peabody: November 1st, with the North Shore Children's Museum. To ensure their friends with Autism or other sensory processing disorders can enjoy the museum, every first Saturday at 2:00PM, they offer a low-sensory play session with reduced admission capacity and lower lights and sounds, noise-canceling headphones and...Read more
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Saving Lives Swim Programs: Northshore & MetroNorth: Fall 2025, with the Northeast Arc. Swimming classes are for children enrolled in Early Intervention and will be offered at multiple locations of the YMCA of the North Shore, YMCA of Metro North and JCC of the North Shore. Early Intervention services are offered free....Read more
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Transition & Adult Events
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Preparing Students with Intellectual Disability: Creating Meaningful College Visits:Webinar, October 29th, with the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass. Explore the value of college visits and learn strategies to make them more meaningful and inclusive. The host will share how to highlight key locations, prioritize community events, and the impact these experiences can have on students’ motivation and confidence. Discuss how inclusive higher education programs can support these visits by sharing information about upcoming events, guiding students and families...Read more
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Disability Transition Resources Fair: Greenfield: November 5th, with Family Empowerment and the Mas s Department of Developmental Disabilities. Families can connect with service providers, explore available resources, view a presentation from DDS, and ask questions about the transition process...Read more
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Guardianship is Not the Only Option: Supporting Decisions in Adulthood: Webinar, October 30th, with the Parent Professional Advocacy League of Massachusetts. Parents of youth with disabilities are often incorrectly told that the only way to remain involved in their child’s adult life is to go to court and become a legal guardian. But there are other options—including Supported Decision-Making...Read more
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One Care Benefits Federal Changes for Medicaid, Mass Health & More: Webinar, November 6th, with the Boston Center for Independent Living. In January, One Care benefits will change and may be reduced, due to new federal requirements for eligibility redeterminations for Medicaid (MassHealth), which in part determines One Care eligibility.
* Learn what’s happening and share your concerns and needs.
* MassHealth leadership has committed to... Read more
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"Planning a Life" - Making the Most Out of Disability Transition Supports: Virtual Option November 7th, In person in Boston, November 8th, with the FCSN in Massachusetts. For parents, caregivers, and professionals working with postsecondary transition-age youth with disabilities 14 -22. Discuss the planning process, how to determine transition goals on Massachusetts’ new IEP form, post-secondary educational options, keeping benefits while working, and healthcare transition. Youth are encouraged to attend separate activities on developing their...Read more
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Overview of DisabilityTransition Training: Webinar, November 19th, with Bridgewell of Peabody. Presented by Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities Transition Coordinators. Discuss the differences between a Transition Coordinator and a traditional Adult Service Coordinator, along with a general timeline for parents related to the 688 process and DDS adult eligibility. The presentation will also cover the difference between Child and Adult eligibility, the Autism-only criteria, the distinctions between the IEP and ISP processes...Read more
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There's just not enough room! The buttons below will take you directly to pages dedicated to lot more disability events for specific diagnoses.
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