Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter for February & March 2021
Massachusetts Special Needs Events Newsletter June 2021
Summer in Massachusetts offers a variety of inclusive recreation and disability events. We are sharing a balance of both as the summer moves forward. For beach and park fun, we are listing the info as:
A) Accessible Pools & Spray Decks at State Parks
B) Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs at State Parks
C) Floating Beach Chairs in local communities
For June Events, Find:
• What Do I Need to Know about MassHealth?
• Caring for the Caregiver
• Campamento de Abogacia Special-Needs Advocacy
• Special Olympics Walking & Running Programs
• Adaptive Cycling, Sailing & Trike Programs
• Self-Advocacy Leadership Series
• The Adult Family Care Program
Summer is back to normal - and still inclusive! Sharon Marie
* Virtual Event for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, LateDeafened, and DeafBlind Community.
What Do I Need to Know about MassHealth? Virtual Event for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Deaf Blind Community. June 16, with My Ombudsman of Massachusetts and HealthCare for All. Free and open to the public. Find out what your need to know about MassHealth.* ASL, CDI, and CART provided....Read more
Caring for the Caregiver: For Massachusetts' Families
Caring for the Caregiver: For Massachusetts’ Families: Webinar, June 23rd, 2021, with Mass Home Care. If you care for a loved one who is older and/or living with a disability or illness, you may have found that caregiving may cause emotional, physical, and financial stress. This webinar brings simple tips, practical solutions, and awareness of community resources to family caregivers throughout Massachusetts...Read more
Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks:
Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks: Outdoor Swimming Pool Lifts are at all of the State Parks and Recreation's pools to provide access to the water. Several pools also have ramps into the water or offer zero-depth entry. Select pools and spray decks also have beach wheelchairs for use. Contact the pool or spray deck to reserve a beach wheelchair or for...Read more
Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts
Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts: Find sand and sunbathing beach wheelchairs in Massachusetts state parks with the DCR Universal Access Program. You will need to bring your own Coast Guard certified personal flotation device to use a floating beach wheelchair. It is best to call in advance to make a reservation to use a chair, especially... Read more
Floating Beach Chairs Available at Massachusetts & New England Beaches
Floating Beach Chairs Available at Massachusetts & New England Beaches: SMILE Mass has donated Floating Beach Wheelchairs to public beaches in Massachusetts. These wheelchairs can roll from the parking lot, across the sand, and right into the water, allowing those with special needs to access the beach...Read more
Does your child struggle with reading comprehension? * Join our Boston Area study. Our cognitive neuroscience research lab is recruiting children ages 8-12 for a  study on learning and language development.   Children with language difficulties AND  typically developing children welcome   This study is currently not recruiting  children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or ASD  4 visits (on-site/remote)  $150, prizes, free parking, language &  cognitive testing and score report .  Interested? cnglead@mghihp.edu (617) 724-7363  OR Click the Link to  learn More & sign up! https://rally.partners.org/study/learning_differences?fbclid=IwAR0gIDZl-oWRFTzxBnITfR6CcdZGtjFSqu3uHqvHY9n8X20BzF6HBcQABwU
"Safety Care" Challenging Behaviors Workshop for Caregivers
"Safety Care" Challenging Behaviors Workshop for Caregivers Weymouth, MA, June 17, South Shore Support Services. Free. This course provides skills and interventions to improve behavior and to prevent, minimize, and manage potentially dangerous incidents. The workshop is in two parts (and you must attend session 1 in order to prepare for session 2)...Read more
Webinar: Asperger’s/Autism 101 - Workshop for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children & Teens
Asperger’s/Autism 101 for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children & Teens: Webinar, June 17th, with the AANE in Watertown, MA. Learn what you can expect raising a child/teen/young adult, up to 22, on the autism spectrum.
Hear about core strengths and challenges, ways to cope at home, advocating at school, transition planning, Read more
Parent Consultant Training Institute For Massachusetts Families: Summer 2021
Parent Consultant Training Institute For Massachusetts Families: Online, June 21st - 25th, with The FCSN in Massachusetts. Presenters include: Federation staff, attorneys, experts in special education, representatives from the Department of Elementary / Secondary Education and the Bureau of Special Education Appeals...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/
Campamento de Abogacia Special-Needs Advocacy for Spanish Speaking Caregivers
Campamento de Abogacia Special-Needs Advocacy for Spanish Speaking Caregivers: On-line, June 12th, with Mass Families Organizing for Change. La Región Central está encantada de invitar a las familias que hablan español y que cuidan de niños que son elegibles y probablemente elegibles para los servicios de Massachusetts Department de Developmental Services a participar en...Read more
Supporting Siblings During COVID-19
Supporting Siblings During COVID-19: Webinar, July 1st, with the Mass Sibling Support Network. Free. Sibling Support Program: A Family-Centered Mental Health Initiative, is a program for caregivers, siblings and families in Massachusetts. This event is a collaboration of UMass Medical School, PPAL, MCPAP, and Greater Worcester Community Foundation...Read more

Special-Needs Recreation

Family-Friendly Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru in Foxboro
Family-Friendly Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru: June 18th - July 22nd, Foxboro. A contactless, family-friendly drive-thru experience that features lifelike dinosaurs, baby dinosaur and trainer meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and a choose-your-own-audio-adventure tour, allowing families to make memories of epic proportions.....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 with Massachusetts' Down Syndrome Congress: Virtual Group, June 10th.. 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. Open to all family members....Read more
Adaptive Recumbent Trike Rentals in Western Mass
Adaptive Recumbent Trike Rentals in Western Mass Northhampton, Spring & Summer. Trikes will be available for rent to use on the nearby Manhan Rail Trail. Appointments only - no walks ins. Accessible cycles available include hand cycles, tandems, adult tricycles, and cycles offering more significant seating support...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
Extra Mile Walking and Running with Special Olympics Massachusetts Chelmsford
Xtra Mile Walking & Running Clubs with Special Olympics Massachusetts: Summer 2021. Boston, Chelmsford, Haverhill, Marlboro, Newton, Wellesley, Weymouth, W. Springfield. Enjoy the Spring and Summer weather with Special Olympics Massachusetts, meet new friends and get active. Please check with each program for COVID-19...Read more (Scroll down the page to find these programs.)
Adaptive Cycling in Massachusetts
Adaptive Cycling in Massachusetts: Charlestown, Peabody and Brewster, MA, June 1st, - 29th. All abilities welcome. Depending on the location and availability, you will find 3-wheeled adaptive cycles, including hand cycles, recumbent leg-cycles, tandem cycles and youth leg or hand-powered cycles. An array of adaptations....Read more
Adaptive Indoor Climbing for For All Ages
Adaptive Indoor Climbing for For All Ages: Somerville, June 13th. With Adaptive Climbing Group Massachusetts. Everyone is encouraged to come climb - accommodations and equipment will help climbers with any disability get on the climbing wall. ACG volunteers will be on hand to help fit gear, guide new climbers, and belay the ropes....Read more
Kung-Fu for Special Needs: Hadley
Indonesian Kung-Fu for Special Needs in Western MA: With Whole Children, Hadley, MA, July 6th - August 21st. In person class for ages 6-12 with special needs. 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
Adaptive Sailing for Youth & Young Adults with Visual or Mobility Impairments
Adaptive Sailing for Youth & Young Adults with Visual or Mobility Impairments: Boston, July 7th. Free. Adaptive Sports New England and Community Boating invite youth and young adults with a visual impairment and/or mobility impairment to sail. No experience is necessary, participants can bring a sibling or friend along...Read more

Transition to Adult Events

Self-Advocacy Leadership Series with the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council
Self-Advocacy Leadership Series: Webinars with the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council. Summer Series 1: Application Deadline is June 11th. Summer Series 2: Application deadline is July 9th. Free. Designed for people with ID/DD between the ages 17 and up. Students will develop skills that will assist them in pursuing individual goals towards employment and independence....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
Adult Family Care Program for Families with Special Needs
Adult Family Care Program for Families with Special Needs: Webinar, June 16th, with the Autism Alliance of Natick, MA. If you have a loved one age 16 or older who has MassHealth, you may be eligible to receive funds and support through the Adult Family Care Program. The Program Director for the Advocates AFC Program discuss will eligibility...Read more
Understanding Guardianship Workshop
Understanding How Guardianship Workshop: Webinar, June 22nd, with the Northeast Arc of Danvers, MA. Learn a practical approach to helping individuals improve their lives, with a personally-tailored balance of guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, social services support, family care, and human rights. Tools and resources...Read more
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Information & Listening Forum with the Disability Community
Information & Listening Forum with the Disability Community: Webinar, June 23rd. Learn about results from focus groups with individuals with disabilities receiving Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission services and their families, and MRC services and support. Give feedback on projects they are taking on to enhance their services and supports. They want to hear from you even if you haven't received MRC services....Read more
Thinking About Housing "Housing 101"
Thinking About Housing "Housing 101": Webinar, June 29th, with the Northeast Arc of Danvers, MA. Autism Housing Pathway's “Housing 101” introduces families to the range of public funds available to pay for housing and supportive services - including for those without DDS supports. This workshop is for those families beginning the process. Topics include...Read more
Young Leaders Rising Program with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Young Leaders Rising Program: Free. Deadline - June 30th, with the Mass Rehab Commission. For high school students, ages 14-22, with any type of disability. Activities and events emphasizing employment and career readiness skills, vocational knowledge, ability to access resources for employment... Read more
LGBTQIA+ Group for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs in Western Mass
LGBTQIA+ Group for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs in Western Mass: Virtual Classes, July 6th - August 21st, with Whole Children of Hadley. LGBTQIA+ Group is a place where you can meet other folks your age with the same or similar identity to you. Discuss issues unique to the LGBTQIA+ community. Find support, community building, self-advocacy...Read more
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Advertise Your 2021 Special-Needs Camp or Summer Program with us.                                           Contact info@spedchildmass.com or 508-303-3424
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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. Something for everyone!

Special Needs Camps & Camp Fairs Massachusetts

Recreation for Families with Special Needs in Massachusetts

Special Needs Financial & Legal Help in Massachusetts

Autism & Asperger Workshops & Events in Massachusetts

Down Syndrome & II/ID Events in Massachusetts

Assistive Technology/Medically Complex Events in Massachusetts

Family Mental Health Workshops in Massachusetts