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Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter AUGUST 2022
August's disability inclusive summer fun includes Beach & Floating Wheelchairs and Accessible Pools/Spray Decks in State Parks, plus more summer workshops and webinars.
Transition-to-adult events feature a Support Group for BIPOC Adults, and the Explore Possibility Summit.
More Events Include:
• Blue Man Group "Sensory-Friendly" Performance
• Grant for New England Therapeutic Programs
• Adaptive Hockey, Kayaking, Sailing & More
• Safety Practices for Children on the Autism Spectrum
• Problem Solving Transition-to-Adult Webinars
• Self-Directed Adult Disability Services
There are still four weeks of fun left to take advantage of inclusive summer opportunities! Sharon Marie
ADA Grant for Massachusetts Cities & Towns: Virtual Information Session
ADA Grant for Massachusetts Cities & Towns: Webinar, August 8th, with the Massachusetts' Office on Disability. The MOD Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Cycle Opens August 1. This grant offers funding for your city or town's accessibility projects and planning. Project Grants and Planning Grants of up to ...Read more
Lunchtime Advocacy Roundtable for Massachusetts' Families
Lunchtime Advocacy Roundtable for Massachusetts' Families: Webinar, August 8th, in partnership with Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Multicultral Community Services of the Pioneer Valley, Riverside Community Care, and the Nemasket Group. Network with Advocacy Allies at these sessions...Read more
Berklee ABLE Able Sessions /  Summer Music Program for People with Disabilities Ages 9 - 17. For more information visit https://college.berklee.edu/berklee-institute-arts-education-and-special-needs/day-sessions-able-arts-better-lives-everyone or contact  https://college.berklee.edu/berklee-institute-arts-education-and-special-needs/day-sessions-able-arts-better-lives-everyone
Safety Practices for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Safety Practices for Children on the Autism Spectrum: Webinar, August 10th, with Vinfen of West Roxbury. A comprehensive overview of safety practices, inspired by the two tragic losses to the Greater Boston Autism Community. Training will cover: Police and First Responders, Autism Safety Facts, Autism and Wandering, Community Safety, Water Safety, Stranger...Read more
Parent Consultant Training Institute For Massachusetts Families: Summer 2023
Parent Consultant Training Institute For Massachusetts Families: Summer 2023 Online, through September 1st, with The FCSN PCTI program in Massachusetts. Virtual and in person options. An intensive training program designed to provide families and professionals with a solid foundation in special education laws and procedures...Read more
The IEP: Strategies to Help You Better Advocate for Your Child
The IEP: Strategies to Help You Better Advocate for Your Child: Webinar, August 3rd, with the North Reading SEPAC. Navigating IEPs can be challenging. If you know what to ask for, and how to ask for it, this can help a lot. Join Joann Lebherz, a special education advocate, and Dr. Eileen Crehan, licensed clinical psychologist...Read more
Grant for Special Needs Families in Massachusetts
Grant for New England Area Therapeutic Programs. Applications accepted through September 30th, with the Genesis Foundation of MA. A limited number of grants available to fund clinical, educational, and therapy programs for children and young adults with genetic disorders, rare diseases, intellectual and physical disabilities...Read more
Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks
Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks & Wading Pools in State Parks. Find accessible swimming pools, wading pools, and spray decks with the Massachusetts' Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Universal Access Program.
* All DCR swimming pools have outdoor chair lifts to provide access to the water.
* Several pools also have ramps into the water or offer zero-depth entry.
* Select pools and spray decks also have beach wheelchairs for use.
* All of DCR pools have self-latching security...Read more
Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts
Accessible Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts: Sand beach wheelchairs and floating beach wheelchairs are provided in Massachusetts state parks with the DCR Universal Access Program. Sand and sun bathing beach wheelchairs can’t enter the water. Bring your own transfer help. Because these chairs have ...Read more

Cape Cod - Accessible Beaches List
Cape Cod - Accessible Beaches List . Different beaches offer a different accommodations, such as handicapped accessible restrooms, Mobi-Chairs, wheelchair accessl deck to the beach and more. Always call ahead to confirm availability. Cape towns that offer accommodations include: Craigsville, Eastham, Falmouth, Hyannis, Orleans Provincetown, West ...Read more

More inclusive Recreation!

"Morningstar Access" Boston Children's Museum
"Morningstar Access" Boston Children's Museum: August 5th. A "Masks Optional" event. Program offers children with special and medical needs the opportunity to enjoy the Boston Children's Museum in an uncrowded environment, with few other visitors and less concern about infections and large crowds. To accommodate different needs ....Read more
Try Out Sled Hockey Skate Event for Disabilities in Western Mass
Try Out Sled Hockey Skate Event for Disabilities in Western Mass: Westfield, August 5th. With The Center for Human Development's All In program and the Springfield Thunderbirds Sled Hockey team. For anyone over the age of 4 up to adults. CHD will have equipment for anyone interested in trying a sled. Open to kids and adults...Read more
Sensory Friendly Events at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem
Sensory-Friendly Summer Mornings at the Museum: Peabody, August 9th, 10 a.m. - Noon. Free to families that belong to the Northeast Arc. For all others, please inquire about the fees. The museum is typically closed during those times, so it will be quiet for visitors. The museum will have Sensory Bags, Groups Entrance and Space open...Read more
Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education BIAAE  Arts Education Programs Graduate Progarms and Courses Professional Developement  Choose your format: In person or on line. Viist berklee.edu/biaae
Blue Man Group Sensory Friendly Performance Boston
Blue Man Group "Sensory-Friendly" Performance: Boston, August 20th. Modifications will include reduced sound and light levels at various moments in the show. The Blue Men will limit their audience interaction, and their approach to the audience is more subdued. Earplugs will be available upon request, quiet zones will be available in the lobby. Strobe..Read more
Resources, Health & Disability Expo in Lawrence
Resources, Health & Disability Expo in Lawrence, held at Campagnone Park, August 12th. With Fundacion Cambiando el Mundo de personas con Discapacidad. Enjoy Raquel Lara with Music and Games, Music with Don Lobo and Los Negros de la rumba, Artistic Partcipation Loida, Facepainting Balloons, Children's stories. Backpacks will be given away...Read more
Inclusive Sailing Day in Hingham
Inclusive Sailing Day: Hingham, August 15th, with the South Shore Special Needs Athletic Partnership (SNAP). The second annual SNAP Sailing Day at the Hingham Yacht Club is for ages 7+. Participants will join sailors for a lesson on the water along with arts, crafts and a pizza party. There will also be an option to swim if the parent/guardian is present...Read more
Adaptive Kayaking for Kids in Massachusetts
Adaptive Kayaking for Kids & Adults: Through August 24th, Ayer, Boston, Cambridge, Lincoln, Milton, Stoneham, and Waltham. Free Youth program is for those with disasbilites up to age 21. For Adult Program please check fees. Waypoint Adventure makes kayaking programs accessible with state-of-the-art equipment, accessible locations...Read more
Stars of the Spectrum Autism Concert at Fenway Park with the Doug Flutie Foundation
Stars of the Spectrum Concert at Fenway Park. August 24th. Free for people with Autism and their families. The Doug Flutie Foundation is hosting the Stars of the Spectrum 25th Anniversary Concert. This concert is by autistic artists for the autism community. Autism self-advocate performers/ guests include: Kodi Lee, Shawn Stockman (Of Boyz II )...Read more
Special-Needs Hockey Open House: South Dennis
Special-Needs Hockey Open House: August 19th, South Dennis, Cape Cod. An all-inclusive ice hockey team, The Great Blizzards of Cape Cod will provide an opportunity for people with disabilities, regardless of physical or cognitive needs, age, gender, race, ethnicity, experience, ..Read more
Sensory-Friendly Performance of Moana Jr. in Groton
Sensory-Friendly Performance of Moana Jr. In Groton, MA, August 25th, 12 noon. Free. Groton Hill Music Center is offering a sensory-friendly performance of Moana Jr, a 60-minute musical adaptation of the Disney animated film. * The show features all the beloved songs from the ....Read more

Transition & Adult Events

August 18th Info Session! Career  & Living Skills in an Inclusive College Environment for Students with Varying Disabilities for Ages 18+.  Available Opporuntity for Vocational Training!  Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA. https://www.bridgew.edu/academics/EXCEL-program
DDS Self-Directed Adult Disability Services in Massachusetts
Self-Directed Adult Disability Services in Massachusetts: Webinar, Augusts 9th, with the Massachusetts' Department of Developmental Services. Hear how participants and their families can design individualized services to meet their needs though the Participant Directed Program or Agency with Choice. Have authority over a budget...Read more
Problem-Solving Transition-to-Adult Workshops
Problem-Solving Transition-to-Adult Webinars: with the Arc of Massachusetts, through September 2023. Virtual Navigation Help with ARC staff. * Having issues navigating services? * Want tips on Turning 22?* Where do you start?
So far dates for 2023 include: August 16, September 20th, October 18th, November 15th...Read more

    Support Group for BIPOC Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
    Support Group for BIPOC Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Online, August 21st, with the AANE of Watertown, MA. An Open Support Group for people of color (18+) with an Asperger/Autism profile. These spaces are peer-led and provide an opportunity for participants to explore how their multiple identities show up and address their specific needs, by sharing experiences and offering support...Read more
    Vision Impairment, Legal Blindness or Deafblindness Adult Caregiver DDS Support Group
    Vision Impairment, Legal Blindness or Deafblindness Adult Caregiver DDS Virtual Support Group: August 8th & 9th. A monthly virtual Caregiver Support Group for anyone working with adults served by DDS who have Vision Impairment, Legal Blindness or Deafblindness. June Topic: DDS Ombuds and Communications. Guest Speakers will be a DDS Ombudsperson and a DDS Outreach...Read more
    Advertise your therapeutic  Recreation ,  School or Disability Supports to our Readers. Contact us today!  info@spedchildmass.com or 508-303-3424
    AD Newsletter Signup Page Website 300 w x 225 JUNE 2022
    Leader in Training – Summer 2023: Lexington
    Leader in Training – Summer 2023: With the Lexington, MA, Recreation Department. Session 3, August 7th – 18th. Participants will create meaningful relationships, learn new skills, participate in leadership opportunities, and gain hands-on experience in a summer camp setting. Applicants of all abilities...Read more
    Young Leaders Rising Program for Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities
    Young Leaders Rising for Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities: With Partners for Youth with Disabilities and the Mass Rehab Commission. Free. For Massachusetts students with any disability ages 14 - 22. Topics: Education in High School and Beyond: Aug 7 – Aug 18, Indepe...Read more
    Explore Possibility Summit: Framingham
    Explore Possibility Summit: Framingham, MA, September 7th. Hosted by the Massacusetts Rehabilitation Commision. This Summit was built for and by the disability community.
    The MRC wants to ensure the Summit feels like a safe and engaging space where you can connect with other community members, learn something new, and have fun. The day will be full of workshops, keynote speakers....Read more
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    There's just not enough room! Find lots more events and recreation on our category tabs on our website. Below are our pages dedicated to specific disability challenges and needs.

    Assistive Technology/Medically Complex Events in Massachusetts

    Autism & Asperger Workshops & Events in Massachusetts

    Special Needs Financial & Legal Help in Massachusetts

    Down Syndrome & II/ID Events in Massachusetts

    Recreation for Families with Special Needs in Massachusetts

    Family Mental Health Workshops in Massachusetts

    Special Needs Camps & Camp Fairs Massachusetts