|
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
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
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: 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
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 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 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: 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
|
|
|
|
|
Transition & Adult Events
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|