Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter for February & March 2021
Newsletter for Massachusetts Special Needs Events May 2021 1
As Autism Acceptance month wraps up, Massachusetts now looks forward to Mental Health Awareness month events in May. Additionally, find the "In This Together" Vision Impairment Conference, and Transition-to-Adult topics supporting those graduating to their next steps in life.
For May Events, Find:
• Advocacy for the Disability Workforce Crisis
• Social Thinking & Social Skills During COVID
• Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium
• "Same Side of the Table" Special Education Forum
• Applying for Housing for People with Disabilities in Massachusetts
• Disability Benefits in Mass & Transition Age Youth
• Sexuality, Relationships & Boundaries for Young Adults
Let's hope the pandemic is finally winding down and that the in person events are winding up again! Sharon Marie.
Arc of Massachusetts COVID-19 Webinar: Addressing the Workforce Crisis
COVID-19 Webinar: Addressing the Workforce Crisis: May 3rd. with Arc of Massachusetts Executive Director Leo Sarkissian. Advocacy for the Workforce Crisis. Leo and the Executive Director of The Arc of New Jersey, will continue their previous discussion on advocacy regarding the workforce crisis, the impact of COVID...Read more
NOW What? How to Manage Emotions During Uncertain Times
NOW What? How to Manage Emotions During Uncertain Times: Webinar, May 3rd, with The Health Departments from Bedford, Carlisle and Concord, and others. Geared towards parents and caregivers of PreK - Grade 8 Students. Speaker Lynn Lyons is the coauthor of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents Ways to Stop the Worry...Read more
Social Thinking & Social Skills During Covid:
Social Thinking & Social Skills During Covid: Webinar, March 6th, with the MDSC and the 3-21 Foundation of Burlington, MA. Hear how you can support your child to better understand the world in order to build confidence in interacting with others, even more difficult with today's new COVID norms. Gain tools and strategies...Read more
Is Remote Learning a Struggle? Commonwealth Learning Centers of Danver and Needham Can Help! Virtual 1:1 Tutoring for Students with Dyslexia, ADHD, and Executive Function. Contact Us today! (781) 444-5582 or sscofield@commlearn.com
Visual Impairment "In This Together" Virtual Conference
Visual Impairment "In This Together" Virtual Conference: Online, May 1st, with Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. Free. Designed for families of children with visual impairment, ages birth to 7, and the professionals who support them. Connect, talk to experts and learn new skills that apply at home and in the classroom to help each child...Read more
Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium
Inclusion of Disability in the Media (45 Years on Sesame Street) Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium Virtual Conference, May 3rd & 4th. Keynote Speaker Emily Perl Kingsley will share her experience raising a child with a disability at a time when there was little to no guidance for parents, and how she spearheaded the groundbreaking inclusion of children and adults with disabilities on Sesame Street. There will also be an Exhibitor Resource Fair, Workshops...Read more
Webinar "Same Side of the Table" Special Education Forum
"Same Side of the Table" Special Education Forum Webinar, May 10th, with the Special Needs Advocacy Network of Massachusetts. Same Side of the Table -Student-Centered Outcomes Through Dispute Resolution is a forum and discussion open to parents and professionals involved in the Special Education process, including parents, advocates, attorneys, administrators....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/
Identifying, Managing & Reducing Back to School Stress and Anxiety for Kids
Identifying, Managing & Reducing Back to School Stress and Anxiety for Kids: Webinar, May 5th, with UMass Boston. Workshop will discuss managing a child’s stress (and perhaps parents’ too) about returning back to school. Topics Will Include: Are my child’s reactions about school just normal worries or an anxiety disorder? My child is worried about catching COVID at school...Read more
Autism 101 Webinar for Massachusetts Families: Let's Get Organized
Autism 101 Webinar for Massachusetts Families: Let's Get Organized: Webinar, May 6th, part of the Autism Resource Central of Worcester “Autism 101″ parent webinars. The Central Massachusetts Regional Coordinator for Family TIES, will share tools to help advocate for those with autism and special needs....Read more
Financial Planning for Special Needs Families
Financial Planning for Special-Needs Families. Webinar, May 12th, with Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Get a Jump Start on Your Future with feature guest speakers from Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of MA & RI. Learn solutions to preserving your child’s assets, protecting your child’s public benefits once they become an adult, and allowing them to live a comfortable, happy life...Read more

Special-Needs Recreation

Project Ride "Tune Up' Day in Springfield, MA
Project RIDE "Tune Up" Day: May 2nd, in-person event in Springfield, MA. Project RIDE provides special-needs children and young adults with modified tricycles. For Tune Up Day, the JCC will offer a tune-up for trikes that are in need of repair, to fit riders who might have grown out of their current trike, and to offer trikes to new riders...Read more
Down-Syndrome Autism Connection with the MDSC
Down-Syndrome Autism Connection with the MDSC: Virtual Support Group, May 5th, with the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. This group is dedicated solely to co-occurring Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. All families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis, are invited to join them.....Read more
ABLE Day Sessions Summer Programs for Musicians with Disabilities with Berklee College of Music in Boston. Offered remotely for Summer 2021. Students ages 9 - 17 may attend one or both sessions on July 19 - 23 or July 26 - 30th. For more information visit https://college.berklee.edu/berklee-institute-arts-education-and-special-needs/day-sessions-able-arts-better-lives-everyone
Young Athletes Special Olympics Programs Across Massachusetts
Young Athletes Special Olympics: Spring 2021. Beverly, Milford, Pittsfield, Salem, Sandwich, Weston, Weymouth, The Young Athletes program is an early introduction to sports and the world of Special Olympics for children ages 2 - 7 and 6-12with intellectual disabilities. it is a sports & play program that focuses on fun activities important to mental and physical growth...Read more
All Stars Nautical Running Program
All Stars Nautical Running Program: Scitutate, through 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
Martial Arts for those with Special Needs with Easter Seals Massachusetts
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
Running and Walking Program with Special Olympics Massachusetts Hingham
Walking & Running and "Extra Mile" Clubs with Special Olympics Massachusetts: Boston, Hingham, Marlborough, Newton, Revere Weymouth, W. Bridgewater, W. Springfield Enjoy the spring weather with Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA), meet new friends and get active. Mask & COVID screening required...Read more
Lacrosse for Students with Special Needs
Lacrosse for Students with Special Needs: Hingham, MA, May 7th - 21st, with the South Shore Special Needs Athletic Partnership. For children 4-22 who receive special education services. This three week introductory program will provide your child with the opportunity to have fun, socialize and develop basic lacrosse skills....Read more

Transition to Adult Event Events

Applying for Housing for People with Disabilities in Massachusetts
Applying for Housing for People with Disabilities in Massachusetts: Webinar, April 30th, with Autism Housing Pathways of Massachusetts. Free and open to the public. This presentation walks families and professionals through the range of affordable and subsidized housing options available to people with disabilities in Massachusetts. A strategy for...Read more
Basic Rights in Transition-to-Adult Planning for Special Needs
Basic Rights in Transition-to-Adult Planning for Special Needs: Webinar, May 4th, with the SEPAC in Littleton, MA. This is an overview of the transition planning process for youth with disabilities ages 14-22 on IEPs. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, discussion about transition services begins at age 16, but in Massachusetts it begins when the student turns 14...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
Massachusetts Youth Leadership Disability Forum
Massachusetts Youth Leadership Disability Forum: Application Deadline - April 30th. For youth and young adults with disabilities ages 16 - 22 (Peer Leaders are ages 18 - 25). YLF participants build leadership skills and leave better prepared for future employment, higher education, and independent living. ..Read more
Lesley University Threshold Program Virtual Open House for Diverse Learners
Virtual Open House for Diverse Learners: May 3rd, with Lesley University Threshold Program in Cambridge, MA. Young adults with diverse learning differences and their caregivers and families can learn about opportunities for concentrations and curriculum, independent living skills training, social and psychological ..Read more
Healthcare Coverage for Adults with Autism
Healthcare Coverage for Adults with Autism: Webinar, May 5th, the Director of the Autism Insurance Resource Center at the UMass. Focusing on health care coverage for adults on the spectrum, this webinar will include information about: Private and Public Insurance Options. Keeping a Dependent on a Parent's Policy, MassHealth...Read more
On Campus College Experience for Students with Diverse Learning, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities - in Cambridge, MA, with Threshold Program At Lesley University . Learn more at this link https://lesley.edu/events/threshold-program-virtual-information-session-may
Disability Benefits in Massachusetts & Transition Age Youth
Disability Benefits in Massachusetts & Transition Age Youth: Webinar May 5th. Hosted by the Massachusetts' Department of Developmental Disability Services, the Institute for Community Inclusion of Boston, and Work Without Limits at UMass. Open to anyone engaged with transition aged youth. There is a special emphasis on young adult-related programs, work incentives...Read more
Meeting, guardianship in Massachusetts, parent
Guardianship & Alternatives for Special-Needs Families: Webinar, May 13th, with Thrive Advocacy of Marlborough, MA. For parents and family members of persons with an intellectual or developmental disability, this seminar provides an overview of the legal consequences of reaching the age of emancipation at 18. Discussion will include a description of the range of decision making...Read more
Sexuality, Relationships, and Boundaries Age 18+ with Special Needs
Sexuality, Relationships, and Boundaries Age 18+ with Special Needs Webinar May 2nd, with Thrive Advocacy of Marlborough, MA. For ages 18+ with special needs. Discuss sexuality, relationships, and boundaries. The presenter has been trained by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) in supporting...Read more
Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs
Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs: On Line, through 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
Life Training Series for Special-Needs Caregivers in Massachusetts
Life Training Series for Special-Needs Caregivers in Massachusetts: Online, Session 2 is through 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
Advocates in Motion Lunch & Learn for Parents
Advocates in Motion Lunch & Learn for Parents: Virtual Meeting, May 2nd, with the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. The Advocates in Motion (AIM) program provides an inclusive, interactive events each month for teens and young adults ages 13 to 22. AIM participants...Read more
Support Group for Caregivers of Adults 18+ with Developmental Disabilities
Support Group for Caregivers of Adults 18+ with Developmental Disabilities: Virtual Group, May 6th, with Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Boston. Participants do not need to be a patient at Brigham and Women’s Hospital to join in. The group aims to provide support by educating caregivers about developmental disabilities, providing ideas to improve communication and behaviors...Read more
Planning for 2 Generations Workshop
Planning for 2 Generations Workshop: Webinar, May 12, with the Autism Alliance of Natick, MA. Many children with a disability must be supported their entire lives, even long after their parents have died. Go beyond the limited boundaries of Wills and Trusts and hear about a road map to address your own family’s Special Needs....Read more
Public Listening Sessions for Massachusetts Users of PT-1 Medical Transportation
Public Listening Sessions for Massachusetts Users of PT-1 Medical Transportation: Webinars through April 28th are for those that live in Western Mass, Central Mass, Metro Boston, or Northeastern Mass...Read more
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