Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter for February & March 2021
Newsletter Massachusetts' special-needs recreation Summer 2021 (2)
Most folks are thinking about the Fourth of July and summer plans, so inclusive / adaptive recreation in Massachusetts are featured in this week's newsletter. Let's get talking about accessible beaches, parks, recreation, museums and more.
For July & August, find:
• Adaptive Cycling, Sailing & Trike Programs
• Family-Friendly Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru
• Sensory-Friendly Days with Mass Audubon
• Martin Richard Summer Inclusive Basketball
• Inclusive Museum Events
Accessible Beaches & Parks are listed as:
A) Accessible Pools & Spray Decks at State Parks
B) Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs at State Parks
C) Floating Beach Chairs in local communities
Have a safe and fun Fourth of July holiday! Sharon Marie
Adaptive Summer Sports in Massachusetts:
Adaptive Summer Sports: In Acton, Boston and Waltham, with Adaptive Sports New England. Find seated and standing adaptations or adaptive paddles for Cycling, Hawaiian Outrigger Canoeing, Kayaking, Stand-up Paddling, Tennis and Windsurfing. Not all sports available at all locations. Each sport is adapted to fit every individual’s needs, certified trainers on site...Read more
Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks:
Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks: Outdoor Swimming Pool Lifts are at all of the State Parks and Recreation's pools 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. Contact the pool or spray deck to reserve a beach wheelchair or for...Read more
Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts
Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts: Find sand and sunbathing beach wheelchairs in Massachusetts state parks with the DCR Universal Access Program. You will need to bring your own Coast Guard certified personal flotation device to use a floating beach wheelchair. It is best to call in advance to make a reservation to use a chair, especially... Read more
Does your child struggle with reading comprehension? * Join our Boston Area study. Our cognitive neuroscience research lab is recruiting children ages 8-12 for a  study on learning and language development.   Children with language difficulties AND  typically developing children welcome   This study is currently not recruiting  children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or ASD  4 visits (on-site/remote)  $150, prizes, free parking, language &  cognitive testing and score report .  Interested? cnglead@mghihp.edu (617) 724-7363  OR Click the Link to  learn More & sign up! https://rally.partners.org/study/learning_differences?fbclid=IwAR0gIDZl-oWRFTzxBnITfR6CcdZGtjFSqu3uHqvHY9n8X20BzF6HBcQABwU
Floating Beach Chairs Available at Massachusetts & New England Beaches
Floating Beach Chairs Available at Massachusetts & New England Beaches: SMILE Mass has donated Floating Beach Wheelchairs to public beaches in Massachusetts. These wheelchairs can roll from the parking lot, across the sand, and right into the water, allowing those with special needs to access the beach...Read more
Martin Richard Challenger Summer Hoops Basketball Program
Martin Richard Challenger "Summer Hoops" Basketball: With the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, July 7th - August 11th. For youth ages 12+ with developmental and physical disabilities. Enjoy the full benefits of basketball participation in a safe athletic environment structured to their abilities. For athletes under 12...Read more
Autism-Friendly Afternoon at the Discovery Museum in Acton MA
"Especially for Me" Autism-Friendly Museum Afternoon: Acton, July 11th. Free with pre-registration. Play and explore in an ADA-compliant and universally designed museum during this special afternoon dedicated to families with members on the autism spectrum. The Museum will be closed to the general public and...Read more
"Morningstar Access" Boston Children's Museum
"Morningstar Access Boston Children's Museum: Boston, July 16th. Children with special and medical needs may enjoy the Boston Children's Museum in an uncrowded environment, with few other visitors and less concern about infections and large crowds. Pre-registration required. There are now two different versions of Morningstar: All Masks On! & Mask Exceptions Considered...Read more
PLAN for the Future...Now! PLAN of Massachusetts & Rhode Island is a Special-Needs Trust Started by Parents of Children with Special Needs. Contact us today to plan the future of your child. VISIT https://www.planofma-ri.org/request-a-consultation/
Virtual Special-Needs Chorus Camp in Lexington
Virtual Special-Needs Chorus Camp in Lexington: Virtual Program, July 7th - 29th, with The Special Needs Arts Program. This Chorus Camp brings together individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to learn about singing and music, and socialize and make friends. Participants will work on their song during the month of July and perform in a virtual concert at the end of...Read more
Supporting Siblings During COVID-19
Supporting Siblings During COVID-19: Webinar, July 1st, with the Mass Sibling Support Network. Free. Sibling Support Program: A Family-Centered Mental Health Initiative, is a program for caregivers, siblings and families in Massachusetts. This event is a collaboration of UMass Medical School, PPAL, MCPAP, and Greater Worcester Community Foundation...Read more

MORE Special-Needs Recreation

Adaptive Recumbent Trike Rentals in Western Mass
Adaptive Recumbent Trike Rentals in Western Mass Northhampton, Summer 2021. Trikes will be available for rent to use on the nearby Manhan Rail Trail. Appointments only - no walks ins. Accessible cycles available include hand cycles, tandems, adult tricycles, and cycles offering more significant seating support...Read more
Sensory-Friendly Days with the Massachusetts Audubon Society
Sensory-Friendly Days with Mass Audubon: July 10th. The Mass Audubon Society Sensory Friendly Days are at sanctuaries throughout Massachusetts.
* North River Wildlife Sanctuary/Marshfield: 10 a.m. & 12:15
* Stone Barn/Dartmouth: 2:00 & 4:15 p.m.

Many of these sanctuaries offer "All Persons Trails", which feature wide, flat, ADA-accessible paths....Read more
Family-Friendly Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru in Foxboro
Family-Friendly Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru: Through July 22nd, Foxboro. A contactless, family-friendly drive-thru experience that features lifelike dinosaurs, baby dinosaur and trainer meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and a choose-your-own-audio-adventure tour, allowing families to make memories of epic proportions.....Read more
ABLE Day Sessions Summer Programs for Musicians with Disabilities with Berklee College of Music in Boston. Offered remotely for Summer 2021. Students ages 9 - 17 may attend one or both sessions on July 19 - 23 or July 26 - 30th. For more information visit https://college.berklee.edu/berklee-institute-arts-education-and-special-needs/day-sessions-able-arts-better-lives-everyone
Extra Mile Walking and Running with Special Olympics Massachusetts Chelmsford
Xtra Mile Walking & Running Clubs with Special Olympics Massachusetts: Summer 2021. Boston, Chelmsford, Framingham, Haverhill, Leominster, Needham, Newton, Wellesley, Weymouth, Worcester. Meet new friends and get active. Please check with each program for COVID-19...Read more (Scroll down the page to find these programs.)
Adaptive Sailing for Youth & Young Adults with Visual or Mobility Impairments
Adaptive Sailing for Youth & Young Adults with Visual or Mobility Impairments: Boston, July 7th. Free. Adaptive Sports New England and Community Boating invite youth and young adults with a visual impairment and/or mobility impairment to sail. No experience is necessary, participants can bring a sibling or friend along...Read more
Kung-Fu for Special Needs: Hadley
Indonesian Kung-Fu for Special Needs in Western MA: With Whole Children, Hadley, MA, July 6th - August 21st. In person class for ages 6-12 with special needs. Students learn both physical and verbal self-defense and martial arts skills, with a focus on cooperation, respect, increasing self-awareness, and self-control. Students earn belts and stripes at their own pace, while learning the values of hard work and determination....Read more
Bay State Games Para Track & Field Meet
Bay State Games Para Track & Field Meet: Weston, MA, July 10th. The competition will be divided into two sessions: Junior, Scholastic, & Para in the morning, Open & Masters in the afternoon. Athletes must also meet at least one of the criteria: A full time resident of New England, a full time student, a registered member of track and... Read more

Just Transition and Adult Events

LGBTQIA+ Group for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs in Western Mass
LGBTQIA+ Group for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs in Western Mass: Virtual Classes, July 6th - August 21st, with Whole Children of Hadley. LGBTQIA+ Group is a place where you can meet other folks your age with the same or similar identity to you. Discuss issues unique to the LGBTQIA+ community. Find support, community building, self-advocacy...Read more
Acting & Improv for Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities
Acting & Improv for Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities: Boston, July 7th - August 4th. Free. Partners for Youth with Disabilities' Access to Theater after school program is Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities, ages 13-24. Here’s your chance to express yourself and be creative . All levels of experience will be accepted...Read more
On Campus College Experience for Students with Diverse Learning, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities - in Cambridge, MA, with Threshold Program At Lesley University . Learn more at this link https://lesley.edu/events/threshold-program-virtual-information-session-may
Self-Advocacy Leadership Series with the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council
Self-Advocacy Leadership Series: Webinars with the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council. Summer Series 2: Application deadline is July 9th. Free. Designed for people with ID/DD between the ages 17 and up. Students will develop skills that will assist them in pursuing individual goals towards employment and independence....Read more
Young Leaders Rising Program with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Young Leaders Rising Program: Free. Deadline - June 30th, with the Mass Rehab Commission. For high school students, ages 14-22, with any type of disability. Activities and events emphasizing employment and career readiness skills, vocational knowledge, ability to access resources for employment... Read more
Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs
Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs: On Line, July 6th - August 21st, with Whole Children of Hadley, MA. For ages 16+ with special needs. Want to make a friend? Get a date? This class lays the groundwork for a life full of meaningful, healthy and safe relationships. Students move through the Whole Selves’ relationships curriculum....Read more
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Advertise Your 2021 Special-Needs Camp or Summer Program with us.                                           Contact info@spedchildmass.com or 508-303-3424
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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. Something for everyone!

Special Needs Camps & Camp Fairs Massachusetts

Recreation for Families with Special Needs in Massachusetts

Special Needs Financial & Legal Help in Massachusetts

Autism & Asperger Workshops & Events in Massachusetts

Down Syndrome & II/ID Events in Massachusetts

Assistive Technology/Medically Complex Events in Massachusetts

Family Mental Health Workshops in Massachusetts