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Massachusetts' Sensory Friendly & Inclusive Holiday Events are featured in the Inclusive Recreation section of this newsletter. Also find events for Adaptive Sports statewide, Disability Resource Fairs, the "College Navigator" to assist with higher education goals, and support for older indivudals with disabilites and their caregivers.
November Events Include:
• Accessible & Adaptive Sports Across Massachusetts
• Special-Needs Resource Fair: Boston Public Schools
• Disability, Language & Arts Education Conference
• Blind & Visual Impairment Technology Fair
Transition-to-Adult Events Include:
• Self-Directed Disability Services, with the Mass DDS
• Supports for Aging Individuals with Disabilities & Their Caregivers
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• "College Navigator" for Higher Education Goals
• Navigating Services & Supports Transition Workshop
We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Sharon Marie
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Boston Special-Needs Resource Fair: Leahy Holloran Community Center, Dorchester, November 17th. Free and open to the public. Hosted by the Boston Special Education Parent Advisory Council and the Office of Special Education at Boston Public Schools. Speak directly with representatives from local groups who provide services to...Read more
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"Lives in the Balance" Behavioral Summit: Virtual Event, November 18th, with Lives in the Balance of Portland, ME. Hear Keynote speakers and attend breakout groups that address Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) that help caregivers focus on identifying the problems that are causing concerning behaviors in kids...Read more
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ABLE Disability, Language & Arts Education Conference Virtual and in person in Boston, November 19th. Hosted by the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education. Free and Open to the Public, and includes presentations, performances, and more. Featured Keynote Speakers: Brooke Ellison, author of Miracles Happen, which was made into a movie directed by Christopher Reeve, and Emily Ladau, author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know...Read more
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Blind & Visual Impairment Technology Fair: Newton in person and Virtual Option, November 22nd, with Carroll Center for the Blind. Free and open to the public. Attend informative presentations, visit with assistive technology exhibitors to find the products and services you need to live as independently as possible. Get relevant information you can act on during featured informational workshops on a wide variety of important topics....Read more
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Local Transportation and Options for Community Access Lexington, MA, November 22nd. Open to the public. The Arc of Massachusetts Educational Series for Aging Caregivers of Individuals with Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities will host Susan Barrett, Transportation Manager, Town of Lexington, ..Read more
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Autism & Special-Needs Resource Fair: Fall River, November 26th, with Community Autism Resources. This event is meant to connect families and local supports, services and more in the southern Massachusetts community. Families and autistic individuals can learn about the local businesses and supports that are available in their own...Read more
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Navigating Special Education for Beginners: In Brockton and and virtual, November 29th, with the Community and Family Center. Offered in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese. Start this journey with knowledge, confidence and empowerment. Hear how to organize special education documents, have successful IEP meetings, rights...Read more
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Down-Syndrome Autism Connection with the MDSC: Virtual Support Group with the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, November 30th. Dedicated solely to co-occurring Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. The DSAC invites all families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis, to join them to share unique...Read more
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Inclusive Recreation - All Ages
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Sensory Friendly & Inclusive Holiday Events
• Autism Eats Brunch w/Santa: Boston, Seekonk, Lawrence
• Boston: Boston Pops Sensory-Friendly Holiday Concert
• Burlington: Santa Photos with the Massachusetts’ Down Syndrome Congress
• “Caring Santas” In Malls across Eastern Massachusetts
• Fall River: Santa Visit for Families with Autism
• Gardner: Sensory-Friendly Performance of “Silver Bells”
• Leominster: Sensory “Breakfast with Santa"
• North Weymouth: Arc of the South Shore’s Sleigh Rides
• Weston: Sensory-Friendly Performance of The Nutcracker
• “The Extraordinary Nutcracker” for Mass Down Syndrome Congress Families & Friends
• Weymouth: Sensory-Friendly Breakfast with Santa
Light Displays Open to the General Public: Attleboro, Carver, Foxboro, Haverhill, Lancaster, Loudon, NH, Methuen,
Marshfield, Mendon, Northhampton, Stoneham...Read more
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Sensory-Friendly "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" Bellingham, Hyannis,Marlborough, November 19th & 20th, Regal’s My Way Matinee gives everyone the opportunity to experience a movie with the lights turned up and the volume turned down. This becomes safe space where guests are free to express themselves by singing, crying, dancing, walking around, talking or....Read more
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Unlimited Abilities Recreation: With the Burlington, MA, Recreation Department, November & through December 6th. For teens 13+ to young adult with a disability. Join them on Tuesday evenings for an adaptive fitness class. Sessions may include adaptive exercise, dance, stretching, games and more. No prior fitness experience...Read more
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Virtual Therapeutic Music: Springfield, through December, with Kehillah of JCC Springfield. A board-certified music therapist will engage children through music to increase social skills such as speech, non-verbal communication, interaction, and confidence. Musical instruments are used to increase sharing skills, following directions, and emotional expression. There are no prerequisites . Children of all abilities are welcome....Read more
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Inclusive Hike for All Abilities at World’s End in Hingham: Hingham, MA, November 22nd. For individuals both with and without disabilities. Enjoy connecting with nature and other hikers in a safe and supportive environment. This is an easy hike on wide, unpaved carriage paths with slight inclines in some sections. There will be a limited number of wheelchairs available...Read more
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Adaptive Skating for All Ages Across Massachusetts: Brockton, East Boston, Holyoke & Worcester, Winter 2022 & 2023. Free admission and equipment use. Ice sleds, skate walkers, helmets, ice grippers are also available. Activities may include obstacle courses, a block tower, races, colorful balls and pucks to shoot around, and gently..Read more
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Transition & Adult Events
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Adult Siblings "Sharing Space" Workshop :Virtual Event, November 29th, 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. Often these events will devote a significant amount of time to sharing resources...Read more
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How Do I Get the Job I Want? Disability Workshop: Webinar, November 30th, with the SPaN of Massachusetts. In English and Spanish. Employment should be an expectation for youth/young adults with disabilities. In this webinar participants will discuss: Ideas to help you figure out what type of job you want, things to consider before starting a job search, tools to help you complete applications...Read more
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Epic Community Service for Disabilities: Boston & Worcester: Application Deadlines ,December 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023. 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...Read more
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College Prep Mentoring Program for Neurodiverse High School Students: ln Person and Virtual Options, enrolling now for February 2023. The Center for Autism Research and Education at UMass Lowell is offering the “Horizons”, mentoring program for neurodiverse college students. Horizons is a college preparation mentoring program for neurodiverse (e.g. autism, ADHD, learning disabilities) high-school juniors or seniors (or recent graduates) who plan to go to college. High school students meet with...Read more
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Navigating Services & Supports Transition Workshop Webinar, December 21st, with the Arc of Massachusetts. Kerry Mahoney, Director of Outreach & Education, and Kathleen Amaral, Advocacy Alliance Coordinator for the Arc of Massachusetts, will provide information and resources for specific areas of need, who to call, where to go, and best practices...Read more
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Self-Directed Disability Services with the DDS: Webinars, December 6th & 14th, with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. Join interactive discussions about expanding choices and control through Self Directed Supports. Design individualized services to meet your loved one's and family's needs through the Participant Directed Program or Agency with Choice...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.
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