April is Autism Acceptance month - and much more! You will find Massachusetts' is also offering additional happenings that serve Autism and other disabilities, such as the Epilepsy Conference and Mental Health Advocacy Week. For April events, find: • Arts Better the Lives of Everyone Conference • Autism Awareness & Advocacy Day in Massachusetts • Mental-Health Advocacy Week in Massachusetts • New England Epilepsy & Education Conference • MassHealth's Adult Family Care & PCA programs • Sexuality, Relationships & Boundaries for Young Adults Go forwards into Spring - this is the month to review local resources that may serve you family best! Sharon Marie.

"Arts Better the Lives of Everyone Conference": Virtual event, April 10th & 11th, with the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Open to the public. A professional development opportunity in the field of arts education and special needs. Includes live keynote presentations, performances by artists with disabilities, live panel discussions...Read more

Pandemic Parenting: Supporting Teen Mental Health: Webinar, April 8, with Families for Depression Awareness in Waltham, MA. Designed for parents, guardians, family members, youth workers, and any caring adults interested in teen mental health. Guest speaker Dr. Archana Basu will provide practical evidence-based ways to manage parental stress and supporting....Read more

Virtual Autism Awareness & Advocacy Day in Massachusetts: Virtual Event, April 7th, with Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts. Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) invites the community to hear speakers, legislators, self advocates and more. This year's theme is Equitable Access to Care During Covid-19 and Beyond...Read more

NAMI Mental-Health Advocacy Week in Massachusetts: Virtual Event, April 12th - 14th, with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Massachusetts' chapter. Free. Hear about legislative priorities, talk with your legislators, connect with other advocates with the same..Read more

Parents Rights & Developing Effective IEPs: Webinar, April 12th, with the Gateway Regional School District. Free and open to the public. Hear about parents’ rights and responsibilities under current federal and state special education laws, tools to help parents participate with their child’s school in the creation of effective IEP and 504 plans for their children......Read more

Epilepsy & Education Conference: Virtual Event, April 10th, with the Epilepsy Foundation of New England. Free. Overview of New Therapies in Epilepsy, Common Comorbidities in Epilepsy, and Empowering Patients through Epilepsy Self-Management. Hear from peers about their experiences in epilepsy self-...Read more

Autism Conference for Parents & Professionals: Virtual Event, April 17th, with Endicott College of Beverly, MA. Free. Key Note Speaker Leslie Newport will present The impact of living with Autism during a Global Pandemic: Challenges to and Strategies for Wellness, Self- Care and Resiliency. Workshops include: How to .Read more

Family Leadership Training for Boston Metro Families: Virtual Training, Application deadline - April 3rd. Free. Mass Families empowers families through training, support, and advocacy for their loved ones with disabilities to live an enviable life. Topics include: Creating A Vision, Legislative Policy Making...Read more

Special-Education Forums for Parents in Western Mass: Virtual Events, through April 21st, with the Pathlight Group. This is a facilitated online conversation about shared experiences, shared concerns and problem solving in a safe and supportive environment. The meetings will not be recorded, to respect private conversations....Read more

All Stars Nautical Running Program: Scitutate, April 11th – May 23rd. For all abilities in Grades 1 - 8. Workouts will include a variety of approaches through fun exercises, games and teamwork. Designed as a non-competitive physical and social recreational activity for students who would enjoy a fun experience while.....Read more

Virtual Accessible Martial Arts Classes with Easter Seals Massachusetts: Spring 2021. The Accessible Martial Arts Program is for people with and without disabilities who want to learn and practice self-defense, stretching, exercise, and relaxation techniques...Read more

Walking & Running and "Extra Mile" Clubs with Special Olympics Massachusetts: Cambridge, Hingham, Plymouth & West Springfield - Spring 2021. Enjoy the spring weather with Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA), meet new friends and get active. Mask & COVID screening required...Read more

Family-Friendly Hot Wheels Drive-Thru: Through April 18th, Foxboro. A kid-focused event where families have a chance to to enjoy the larger-than-life showcase of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks and legendary vehicles from their own vehicles. The visit will be paired with an online audio companion. COVID-19 Protocols...Read more

Project RIDE - Tune Up Day: Springfield, April 25th. Project RIDE stands for Recreation, Independence, Development and Equipment. Project RIDE provides special-needs children and young adults with modified tricycles and information about adaptive sports programs in Western Massachusetts.* COVID-19 Protocols in place...Read more

Virtual Zumba Classes for Special Needs Families in Weymouth Area: On line, March 16th - 30th, with South Shore Support Services of Weymouth, MA. The host has gathered all of their instructors and are providing you classes to do at home for all ages and abilities....Read more

Special Olympics Live Virtual Young Athletes Story Times for Amherst Area Families: Through April 24th, with UMass Amherst Special Olympics & Special Olympics Massachusetts. For ages 2-12 years. Each week volunteers and and families will alternate reading a fun children's story each week with interactive incorporated into...Read more

MassHealth's Adult Family Care & PCA programs for Disabilities: Webinar, April 13, with the Special Needs Transition Group of Wakefield, MA. The Adult Family Care (AFC) and PCA programs both help pay for the caregiving of qualified adult children (including care provided by the child's own parents, if they are not the guardians). Hear about their benefits, and eligibility requirements....Read more

Virtual College Open House for Diverse Learners: April 5, with Lesley University Threshold Program in Cambridge, MA. Hear about how young adults with diverse learning differences and their caregivers and families a chance to get firsthand information about the the program from faculty, the admissions team, and directly from alumni...Read more

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Attainable Savings Plan: Webinar April 13th, with the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). The Attainable Savings Plan allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for federal means-tested benefits. Review the benefits, eligibility...Read more

Life Training Series for Special-Needs Caregivers in Massachusetts: Online, Session 2 is April 14th - May 12th. Creating Your Family Portfolio is a free training to help families organize their ideas, vision, and goals for their current life situation and their future life, concentrating on building a life of inclusion and productivity...Read more

Sharing Space for Siblings During COVID-19 -Adult Siblings Virtual Get Together: Virtual Event, April 13th, with The Brockton Area Arc and 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. Rn by MSSN Board Member and Licensed Mental Health Counselor... Read more

Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs: On Line, April 5th - June 12th, 2021, 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. Boundaries and Relationships is learning community that....Read more

Sexuality, Relationships, and Boundaries for Young Adults with Special Needs: Webinar April 18th, with Thrive Advocacy of Marlborough, MA. For ages 18+. Discuss sexuality, relationships, and boundaries. The presenter has been trained by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) in supporting people to lead sexually healthy lives...Read more

Public Listening Sessions for Massachusetts Users of PT-1 Medical Transportation: Webinars on April 5th - 28th are for those that live in Western Mass, Central Mass, Metro Boston, or Northeastern Mass...Read more Public Listening Sessions for Massachusetts Users of PT-1 Medical Transportation: Webinars, April 12 - 14th, are for those that live in Southeastern Massachusetts, on the Cape, or on one of the Islands...Read more

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