Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter AUGUST 2022
Massachusetts Disability Events December 15 2022 Holiday NEWSLETTER
This edition features Massachusetts' Inclusive Workshops ...and Camp Fairs for 2023 (non disability). Plus there are workshops for Special Needs Financial Planning, Advocacy Roundtables, and Focus Groups.
Transition workshops cover Services & Supports, Finding Public Benefits for Adults with Aspergers /Autism, and a Disability Listening & Learning Forum with the MRC.
December Events Include:
• Special Needs Planning 101
• Special Ed. Accountability & Determinations Focus Group
• Advocacy Roundtable for Massachusetts' Families
Transition-to-Adult Events Include:
• Services & Supports Transition Workshop
• Disability Listening & Learning Forum with the Mass Rehab Commission
• Public Benefits for Adults with Aspergers & Autism.
Look for a peek at 2023 workshop and events in next week's edition! Sharon Marie
Summer Camp Fairs 2023 in Massachusetts
2023 Camp Fairs (not disability specific) in Massachusetts:
Boston Parents Paper’s 2023 Virtual Camp & Summer Expo: Online from January to June
Sudbury Summer Camp & Opportunities Fair: 1/23
Teen Summer Expos: Newton & Lexington: 2/6 & 7
Boston Camp Fair: February 11th...Read more
Special Needs Planning 101
Special Needs Planning 101: Webinar, December 15th, with the Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover. Learn about the amount of financial support your child with special needs will require over his or her life, governmental benefits protection, and how your other children fit into your estate plan. The presenters include Planned Lifetime Assistance...Read more
Inclusive Fitness Block ad Workout and Exercise Program for All Abilities in West Roxbury MA Contact us Today! 617-901-0081 https://inclusivefitness.com/landing-page/
Learn About Upcoming Accessible & Adaptive Sports with the State of Massachusetts
Learn About Upcoming Accessible & Adaptive Sports with the State of Massachusetts: Virtual Event, December 16th. The Department of Conservation & Recreation's (DCR) Universal Access Program provides outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts state parks for visitors of all abilities and ages. Accessible and adaptive...Read more
Arc of Massachusetts Webinar: The New State Legislature
Arc of Massachusetts Webinar: The New State Legislature December 19th. Massachusetts Executive Director Leo Sarkissian Leo will host Representative Sean Garballey, who returns for a discussion on the new state legislature. Maura Sullivan, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy will also join this...Read more
Meet Department of Mental Health Commissioners
Meet Department of Mental Health Commissioners: Virtual Town Hall, January 10th, 2023 with PPaL of Massachusetts. PPaL Statewide Meetings are only for people with lived experience - Family Members, Family and Support Specialists, and Caregivers. Guest DMH presenters: Brooke Doyle, Kelly English...Read more

    Brooke School in Boston - Our School Supports All Children with Unique Abilities, Including Those with Disabilities, to Succeed at the Highest Level. Contact us today! https://www.ebrooke.org/enroll/
    Lunchtime Advocacy Roundtable for Massachusetts' Families
    Advocacy Roundtable for Massachusetts' Families: Webinar, January 10th, with the Massachusetts' Family Leadership Series, in partnership with Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Multicultral Community Services of the Pioneer Valley, Riverside Community Care, and the Nemasket Group. Network with Advocacy Allies at these lunchtime sessions...Read more
    Special Education Accountability & Determinations Focus Group
    Special Education Accountability & Determinations Focus Group: Virtual Event, January 11th, with the FCSN in Massachusetts and the Mass Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE). Help the DESE set targets for 2023. All groups will provide interpretation in ...Read more
    National Federation for the Blind Massachusetts logo e
    National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts: 2023/24 Scholarships Deadline, January 30, 2023. The National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts is offering up to three scholarships. All applicants must: Be legally blind or have a visual impairment that requires the applicant to obtain services from a teacher of the visually impaired, be a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, plan to pursue a full-time, postsecondar study in...Read more

      Inclusive Recreation - All Ages

      Sensory & Inclusive Holiday Events in Massachusetts
      Sensory Friendly & Inclusive Holiday Events
      Boston:
      Hanukkah Event at Museum of Fine Arts
      Boston:
      Sensory-Friendly Performance of the Nutcracker
      Leominster: Sensory "Breakfast with Santa"
      Masschusetts Down Syndrome Congress
      * Evento de Navidad con Mamás Latinas - Virtual
      * Multicultural Holiday Event with “21 Shades” - Virtual
      Natick:
      Sensory "Breakfast with Santa"
      Northampton: Santa's Train Sensory Afternoon
      Peabody:
      Menorrah at the Mall
      Springfield:
      Inclusive New Year's Eve Celebration
      **** PLUS Holiday Walk or Drive through events in: Attleboro, Carver, Foxboro, Haverhill, Lancaster, Loudon, NH, Marshfield, Mendon, Methuen, Northhamton and Stoneham. All listed on our Recreation Page (left column).
      Kung-Fu for Special Needs: Northampton
      Indonesian Kung-Fu for Special Needs Ages 6 - 12: Northampton: With Milestones , January 9th - March 11th, 2023. For ages 6 - 12 with special needs. In Indonesian Kung-Fu, or “Silat”, 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
      Art Explorations for Special Needs: Northampton
      Art Explorations for Special Needs: Northampton: January 9th - March 11th, with Whole Children. For ages 13+ to adult including beginners. The class offers little bit of everything: drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, and collage. Learn a new artistic technique, practice a known one, or bring one of those unfinished projects from home that you just haven’t gotten around to finishing...Read more
      Berklee School of FALL 2022 Music Program for People with Disabilities of ALL Ages. Sign up today! https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE
      Find Sensory-Friendly Movies on our Inclusive Movies Page (2)
      Sensory Friendly Movies:
      “Avatar – Way of Water”
      O’Neil Cinemas, Littleton: 12/24
      AMC Theaters: 12/28
      “Puss in Boots – The Last Wish”
      O’Neil Cinemas, Littleton: 1/7
      “The Amazing Maurice”
      O’Neil Cinemas, Littleton: 1/21...Read more
      Therapeutic Horseback Riding: Burlington
      Therapeutic Horseback Riding: Burlington / Andover, January 3rd - February 22nd,, with the Burlington Recreation Department. There will be an initial evaluation required for all new riders. Space and schedule availability is limited. Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm is a therapeutic riding program. The movement of the horse strengthens the development of fine and gross motor skills and ...Read more
      Youth Para Swim Lessons: Quincy
      Youth Para Swim Lessons: Quincy. January 8th - March 26th, 2023, with Adaptive Sports New England. This program is for youth with a physical or visual impairment who are beginner or intermediate swimmers and who demonstrate typical cognitive and behavioral development. Lessons are staffed by experienced swim teachers. Lessons are generally taught at a 1 to 1...Read more
      Youth Wheelchair Basketball in Quincy
      Youth Wheelchair Basketball in Quincy: January 8th - March 25th, 2023, with Adaptive Sports New England and Franciscan Children’s. Weekly wheelchair basketball practice for youth 5- 21. Wheelchair basketball brings athletes together to learn and enjoy playing the sport of wheelchair basketball. For players affected by Spina Bifida, spinal cord injuries, Cerebral palsy, leg ...Read more
      Special Olympics Basketball for Westboro Massachusetts for special needs
      TOPS Inclusive Basketball in Wellesley: January 8th - February 12th, 2023. TOPS Basketball is a program for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities in grades K-8. Adapted activities include warm-up, station work, and small-sided games. These activities allow players to learn the skills necessary for passing, dribbling and shooting. Each athlete is paired with a...Read more
      Advertise your therapeutic  Recreation ,  School or Disability Supports to our Readers. Contact us today!  info@spedchildmass.com or 508-303-3424
      AD Newsletter Signup Page Website 300 w x 225 JUNE 2022
      Adaptive & Inclusive Hip Hop Dance: Millis
      Adaptive & Inclusive Hip Hop Dance: Millis: Through March 2023, with the Millis, MA, Recreation Department. For ages 13 - 22. The Exhale adaptive and inclusive dance program incorporates appropriate dance styles for individuals with special needs. Includes upbeat dancing, stretching and coordination building skills. Masks will be ...Read more
      Adaptive Skating for All Ages Across Massachusetts
      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

      Transition & Adult Events

      Navigating Services & Supports Transition Workshop
      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
      Disability Listening & Learning Forum with the Mass Rehab Commission
      Disability Listening & Learning Forum with the Mass Rehab Commission: Webinar, January 10th, 2023, with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. The MRC helps individuals with disabilities to live and work independently. MRC is responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Living, and Disability Determination for federal benefit programs...Read more
      Embracing Neurodiversity for Successful Transition to Adulthood
      Embracing Neurodiversity for Successful Transition to Adulthood: Webinar, January 10th, 2023, with the SPaN in Massachusetts. This presentation will explore individual nervous systems and learning styles and how these inform the way we prepare autistic individuals' for transition to adulthood using a strengths-based approach...Read more
      2023 Update: How to Find Public Benefits for Adults with Aspergers/Autism in Any State
      2023 Update: How to Find Public Benefits for Adults with Aspergers/Autism in Any State: Webinar, January 17th, 2023, with the AANE in Watertown, MA. Free. Designed for autistic adults, their parents, other adult family members, and partners of these individuals. Hear about accessing services that are specifically allocated for autistic individuals who do not have a diagnosis of intellectual disability...Read more
      Epic Community Service for Disabilities: Boston & Worcester
      Epic Community Service for Disabilities: Boston & Worcester: Application Deadline - 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
      College Prep Mentoring Program for Neurodiverse High School Students
      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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      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.

      Assistive Technology/Medically Complex Events in Massachusetts

      Autism & Asperger Workshops & Events in Massachusetts

      Special Needs Financial & Legal Help in Massachusetts

      Down Syndrome & II/ID Events in Massachusetts

      Recreation for Families with Special Needs in Massachusetts

      Family Mental Health Workshops in Massachusetts

      Special Needs Camps & Camp Fairs Massachusetts