Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter for February & March 2021
Newsletter Massachusetts' Special-Needs Events August 2021 4
The excessive heat has reminded us to include information this week about Massachusetts' accessible pools/spray pools, beaches, and beaches with floating wheelchairs. For end-of-summer topics, COVID-19 spikes have many looking for workshops covering back-to-school, work and more.
For August Events, Find:
• Updates of School Reopening in Massachusetts
• Easing Back-to-School Anxieties for Kids & Parents
• Safety Considerations for People with Down Syndrome in Our Post-Pandemic World
• Sensory-Friendly Days at Mass Audubon
• Mass Commission for the Blind Summer Picnic
Transition to Adult Events Include:
• Helping Your Child Become a Self-Advocate
• Brigham & Women’s Hospital Virtual Support Group for Caregivers of Adults 18+ with Developmental Disabilities
• Introduction to Post-Secondary Transition Planning
Keep it cool and COVID safe this August! Sharon Marie
Updates of School Reopening in Massachusetts: Webinar, August 17, with the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Updates for School Reopening: Up-to-date DESE Guidance. Topics will include: Covid-compensatory services, Changes to the hospital and home school form, Evaluations, Districts trying to take students off of IEPs or switch to 504 plans without evaluations...Read more
Updates of School Reopening in Massachusetts for Families with Special Needs
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
Adaptive Summer Sports in Massachusetts:
Productive Screen Time for Kids This Summer! NEURODIVERSE children (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, etc.) in grades 3 -8.  Fun, online logic puzzles and games. Takes approximately 45 minutes, and is remote and anonymous. $20 Gift Card for Participation! Sign up to participate  https://www.terc.edu/edge/participate/
Coping Skills for Back-to-School Worries
Coping Skills for Back-to-School Worries Webinar, August 17, with SPARK Kindness of Natick, MA. Simultaneous ASL and Portuguese Language Interpretation will be provided. After more than a year of living with COVID, this back to school season poses unique challenges for children, teens and families...Read more
Easing Back-to-School Anxieties for Kids & Parents Webinar August 19th, with McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. Even without a pandemic, starting a new academic year can be stressful, anxiety-inducing, and frustrating for everyone involved. Join in as Julie B. Cullen, LICSW, shares methods of lowering anxiety for both children and adults...Read more
Easing Back-to-School Anxieties for Kids & Parents
Safety Considerations for People with Down Syndrome in Our Post-Pandemic World: Webinar, August 19th. Join Dr. Nicole Baumer of Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Brian Skotko of Mass General Hospital, and Dr. Helen Lyon of UMass Memorial Medical Center as they answer frequently asked questions on this topic, share up-to-date...Read More
Safety Considerations for People with Down Syndrome in Our Post-Pandemic World
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/
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
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
Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks:
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
Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts

Special-Needs Recreation

Adaptive Water Skiing Day: Shrewsbury, August 17th, with the Webster Water Ski Collective. Free. For ages 3-26.
Members of the disabled community may participate in water skiing using specialized equipment with trained and certified adaptive ski instructors assisting them. The host will offer up 25 participants the chance to water...Read more
Adaptive Water Skiing Day in Worcester
Sensory-Friendly Days with Mass Audubon: Many locations offer "All Persons Trails" with wide, flat, ADA-accessible paths. August 18th - Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, Belmont, 4 p.m., August 20th - Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Natick, 8 a.m., August 23rd - Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuarys - Natick, 10:00 a.m., Worcester, 4:00 p.m...Read more (scroll through the page find the date/location of each
Sensory-Friendly Days with the Massachusetts Audubon Society
Worried About Back-to-School Learning Challenges? Commonwealth Learning Center offers 1:1 Virtual AND In-Person Tutoring for Students with Dyslexia, ADHD, and Executive Dysfunction. In Danvers and Needham Massachusetts. Contact us today Danvers 978-774-0094 or Needham 781-444-5193 or visit www.commlearn.com
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
Open Swim for Special-Needs Families in Western Mass
Open Swim for Special-Needs Families in Western Mass Holyoke, Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults at JERICHO, August 2021. Free. Family pool times for people with disabilities and their families. Picnic tables on the grass and a playground with wheel chair swing and Mommy and Me swing are also available. Read more
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Annual Summer Picnic
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Summer Picnic: Northampton, MA, August 20th. Join the MCB Team & Partners at a local park for family fun. Learn about MCB services to promote independence and build community for individuals who are blind and visually impaired in the Springfield region. Activities include...Read more
"All Access" Morning at The Museum for Kids with Disabilities
"All Access" Morning at The Museum: Acton, August 15. Free but a reservation-only event. A special afternoon event for all their previous Especially for Me families, as well as any family with a developmental disability. Play and explore in the Museum’s welcoming, ADA-compliant, and universally designed exhibits during this time dedicated to families with similar experiences. * The Museum will be closed to the general public and headcount will be limited...Read more
Adaptive Sailing for Youth & Young Adults with Visual or Mobility Impairments
Adaptive Sailing for Youth & Young Adults with Visual or Mobility Impairments Boston, August 25th. Free. Adaptive Sports New England and Community Boating invite youth and young adults with a visual impairment and / or mobility impairment for afternoon sailing. No experience is necessary. Participant can bring a sibling or...Read more

Transition & Adult Events

COMPASS College Success Program at Perkins in Watertown. A Virtual Enrichment Program for Blind and Visually Impaired High Schoolers, Their Families and TVIs. LEARN MORE TODAY visit https://www.perkins.org/college-success/compass/
Introduction to Post-Secondary Transition Planning
Introduction to Post-Secondary Transition Planning: Webinar, August 17th, with the Mass General Hospital Aspire Program. Teens and parents will receive an orientation about how to work collaboratively toward the shared goal of a successful transition from high school to adulthood. Teen participants will learn how to share the "case manager" role...Read more
Helping Your Child Become a Self-Advocate: The Role of Parents & Family Members: Webinar, August 22nd, with the Autism / Aspergers Network in Watertown, MA. Join a virtual panel discussion featuring parents of adults on the spectrum. Hear their stories and insights from their parenting journey. How did they navigate their child’s journey into young adulthood?...Read more
Helping Your Child Become a Self-Advocate: The Role of Parents & Family Members
Virtual Support Group for Caregivers of Adults 18+ with Developmental Disabilities: Through 26th, with Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Boston. Participants do not need to be a patient at Brigham and Women’s Hospital to join in. This is a community outreach support group for caregivers of adults (18 years old and older) with developmental disabilities. The group aims...Read more
Virtual Support Group for Caregivers of Adults 18+ with Developmental Disabilities:
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
Can Spirituality Help People with I/DD Recover from the Negative Impact of COVID-19?
Can Spirituality Help People with I/DD Recover from the Negative Impact of COVID-19? Webinar, August 24, with the Minute Man Arc of Concord, MA. Learn about the Soul Food Project, a pilot program in interfaith spiritual support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This project is being developed in partnership with the Northeast Region of DDS and Minute Man Arc...Read more
LGBTQIA+ Group for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs in Western Mass: Virtual Classes, through 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
LGBTQIA+ Group for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs in Western Mass
Epic Community Service for Disabilities: Boston & Worcester. Application deadline - September 3, 2021. EPIC Service Warriors is a service learning and leadership development program for youth with disabilities between the ages of 16-23. EPIC Service Warriors meet for one year to participate in community service projects in the cities of Boston and Worcester. By creating...Read more
Epic Community Service for Disabilities: Boston & Worcester
An Inclusive College Experience for Students with Learning Differences. The EXCEL Program at Bridgewater State College, in Bridgewater, MA. Bridgewater State University,  Bridgewater, MA. Visit Our Website to Sign Up for an Info Session! • August 10th, 2021 - 9 a.m. • September 14th, 2021 - 2 p.m. • October 29th, 2021 - 9 a.m.  www.bridgew.edu/EXCEL
B.A.D. Online Groups for Young Men with Disabilities in Massachusetts
B.A.D. Online Group: August 19th, with Easter Seals Mass. Brothers Against Discrimination (B.A.D.) Empowering Young Men With Disabilities is a mentoring program for ages 14 to adult. B.A.D. provides opportunities for young men with disabilities to develop the skills of self-empowerment and personal...Read more
Sharing Space for Siblings During COVID-19 -Adult Siblings Virtual Get Together: Virtual Event, August 26th, 2021, 7:00 PM, with the Massachusetts Sibling Support Network. Join in on their Sharing Space for adult siblings to share joys and concerns related to having a brother/sister with disabilities.* Please check with host to inquire about this week's speaker....Read more
Sharing Space for Siblings During COVID-19 -Adult Siblings Virtual Get Together
Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs: On Line, through 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
Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs
Berklee School of Music classes for youth teens and young adults with special needs PAINT RESIZE BLOCK Lighter BIAESN DigitalAd 300X350 2021 (2)
Worcester Regional Authority Paratransit Services Workshop
WRTA Paratransit Services Workshop Webinar, September 13, with THRIVE of Marlborough, MA. Learn more about the complementary paratransit service in the Worcester area for individuals with a disability that prevents them from using the accessible fixed bus routes. Riders must apply for ADA service and be...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. 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