Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter for February & March 2021
Special-Needs Events in Massachusetts - March 2021
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: Individuals with a developmental disability often face additional challenges physical, emotional or rare disorders. The Massachusetts special-needs events we share often serve multiple challenges. One size does not fit all!
For March Disability events, find:

• Stress & Coping During COVID-19
• Visions of Community Virtual Conference
• Boston Parents Paper’s Virtual Camp/Summer Expo: (Not a disability-specific event)
• Transition from High School Disability Services
• Understanding Employment Supports in Massachusetts
Spring will bring more vaccinations and more in-person events back. It can't come soon enough! Sharon Marie.
Visions of Community Virtual Conference:  March 2nd - 6th, with The Federation for Children with Special Needs of Massachusetts.
Visions of Community Virtual Conference: March 2nd - 6th, with The Federation for Children with Special Needs of Massachusetts. Workshops will cover IEPs and other special education issues, impact of trauma, self-care, health services / benefits, and transition planning, in English, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. An Virtual Exhibitors Expo with...Read more
Stress & Coping During Covid-19
Stress & Coping During Covid-19: Webinar, March 11, with the PPaL of Massachusetts. PPal Parent Network Socials are a place where you can find and share resources, be a part of informative workshops and brainstorm solutions to support your journey in raising a child with mental health needs....Read more
The Homework Battle
The Homework Battle: Webinar, March 10, with a learning disability support school in Newton, MA. The Homework Battle: Understanding the breakdown and supporting your child’s independence, will cover the underlying causes of the daily homework struggle that can result in conflict and heartache, strategies to help students become successful independent learners... Read more
Speech Skills in the Hybrid/Online Classroom workshop with the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress
Speech Skills in the Hybrid/Online Classroom: Webinar, March 6th, with the Mass Down Syndrome Congress and 321 Foundation. Consider the challenges our children face in our new socially distant norm and leave with some ideas both in and out of the classroom to foster and build communication....Read more
Social Security Benefits for People with Disabilities
Social Security Benefits for People with Disabilities: Webinar, March 10th, with a Peabody-based Family Support Agency. Free. Learn how to use my Social Security
online account and other online services. Speaker Kentia Torres is a Public Affairs Specialist with Social Security Area II Boston, MA...Read more
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/
Creating a Circle of Support for Your Family with Special Needs
Creating a Circle of Support for Your Family with Special Needs: Webinar, March 15th, with a Massachusetts' based Person Centered Planning Expert. Most beneficial to those caring for adults over 22. If your greatest fear is "who will take care of the person I love when I'm gone?" then you are not alone..Read more
Autism 102: Comorbid Conditions Seen With ASD
Autism 102: Comorbid Conditions Seen With ASD: Webinar, March 11th, with Autism Resource Central of Worcester. Designed for parents of children ages 8-14. The initial shock of receiving the diagnosis has past, you're now encountering different challenges...Read more
Life Training Series for Special-Needs Caregivers:
Life Training Series for Special-Needs Caregivers: Online, Session 1 through March 24th, with Mass Families and Multicultural Community Services. Creating Your Family Portfolio is a free interactive training designed to help families organize their ideas, vision, and goals for their current life situation and their future life..Read more
Webinar Series for SEPACs and Special Needs Trainers in Massachusetts (2)
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

Special-Needs Recreation

Martial Arts for those with Special Needs with Easter Seals Massachusetts
Virtual Accessible Martial Arts Classes with Easter Seals Massachusetts: Winter 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
Running and Walking Program with Special Olympics Massachusetts Hingham
Walking & Running Club with Special Olympics Massachusetts: Cambridge, Hingham, Leominster & West Springfield - March 2021. Enjoy the spring weather with Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA), meet new friends and get active. Mask & COVID screening required...Read more
American Sign Language Night at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts
American Sign Language Night: Virtual Event, March 10th, with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. A free celebration of Deaf art, language, and culture for members of the Deaf community and friends. Entirely presented in ASL by Deaf artists, performers, and tour guides with voice interpretation and open captions...Read more
Virtual Massachusetts Special Education Conference and School Fair - April 7 & 8, 2021, with the Special Needs Advocacy Network in Massachusetts. For Parents, Advocates, Administrators and Related Service Providers. For more information visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=pxn6x5iab&oeidk=a07ehk21p0e4e58e5a8
Boston Parents Paper Virtual Camp Fairs 2021
Boston Parents Paper’s 2021 Virtual Camp & Summer Expos: March 20th. Not disability specific. Features exhibits, staff and directors from 65+ day, overnight camp and summer programs. You will be able to select Virtual Camp Expos serving all areas of Mass....Read more
21 Shades Family Support On-Line for African American and Black parent caregiver Group with Massachusetts' Down Syndrome Congress
21 Shades Family Support On-Line Group: March 11th, with the Mass Down Syndrome. A state-wide African American / Black Family parent and caregiver Support Group for those with a family member with Down syndrome. This is an invitation only group...Read more
Special Olympics Live Virtual Young Athletes Story Times for Amherst Area Families:
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
Family-Friendly Hot Wheels Drive-Thru:
Family-Friendly Hot Wheels Drive-Thru: March 29th - 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

Transition to Adult Event Events

COMPASS: A Virtual Enrichment Program for Blind and Visually Impaired High Schoolers, Their Families and TVIs. With Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. For more information visit https://www.perkins.org/school/transition-programs/college-success/compass
Understanding and Navigating Employment Supports in Massachusetts
Understanding and Navigating Employment Supports in Massachusetts Virtual Training, March 9th, with the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass. Free. Envision employment as part of your loved one’s future? Find it hard to imagine what employment might look like? Learn about the possibilities, Read more

    Making Sense of Public & Private Support Systems for Adults on the Spectrum
    Making Sense of Public & Private Support Systems for Adults on the Spectrum: Virtual Conference, through April 30th, with the AANE of Watertown, MA. The Jody Acford Conference - A Roadmap Through Adulthood: Making Sense of Public and Private Support Systems for Adults on the Spectrum is an on-demand...Read more
    Accessing Community Services for Disabilities
    Accessing Community Services for Disabilities: Webinar, March 18th, with Easter Seals Massachusetts. Free. A two part training to discuss resources and organizations that allow individuals to participate and access products and services during Covid. Part 1: Topics will include grocery shopping, banking ...Read more
    Inclusive College Experience for Students with Learning Differences with the EXCEL Program at Bridgewater State University. Attend one of their Virtual Open Houses on March 19th, April 16th or May 18th, 2021  https://www.bridgew.edu/academics/EXCEL-program
    Transition Planning for Youth with Special Needs in Massachusetts: 
    Transition Planning for Youth with Special Needs in Massachusetts: March 9, Free, with the Federation for Children with Special Needs of Massachusetts. Learn why transition planning is important, about services, who is eligible, how to prepare for a transition planning meeting, know the options when the Team does not agree, including procedural due process rights, plan for the anticipated graduation date, and more...Read more
    Virtual College Open House for Diverse Learners in Massachusetts
    Virtual College Open House for Diverse Learners: March 8, with Lesley University Threshold Program in Cambridge, MA. This virtual open house will offer young adults with diverse learning differences and their caregivers and families a chance to learnabout the Threshold Program from faculty, the admissions team, alumni....Read more
    What is Supported Decision-Making & Why is it Important?
    What is Supported Decision-Making & Why is it Important? Webinar, March 18th, with the Arc of Greater Haverhill - Newburyport, MA. Learn about alternatives to guardianship such as Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and why it is so important. Hear about how SDM empowers young people to keep their rights and...Read more
    Job Searching for the Nuerodiverse" Webinar,
    "Job Searching for the Nuerodiverse" Webinar, March 20th, with MGH Aspire of Lexington, MA. Participants will learn how to use their knowledge of themselves to find jobs that match their skills and abilities. Find an overview of online job searching tools...Read more
    "Transition from High School Disability Services"
    "Transition from High School Disability Services": March 23, with the Regional Manager of Self-Directed Services / Middleboro Office of the he Mass Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
    * This "DDS 101 Training" educates families on: How do I become eligible for DDS Services? What is the role of the DDS Area office? What can Family Support..Read more

      Sign up for this Newsletter to receive information about Massachusetts special-needs webinars, conferences, recreation and more!
      Advertise Your 2021 Special-Needs Camp or Summer Program with us.                                           Contact info@spedchildmass.com or 508-303-3424
      facebook twitter linkedin