Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter for February & March 2021
Massachusetts Special Needs Events Newsletter June 24th 2021
The return of disability workshops and adaptive recreation programs across Massachusetts this summer are once again making our worlds more accessible.
For June & July Events, Find:
• Demystifying Legislative Advocacy
• Parent Consultant Training Institute
• Sensory-Friendly Days with Mass Audubon
• Adaptive Cycling, Sailing & Trike Programs
• Self-Directed Disability Services with the DDS
• Self-Advocacy Leadership Series
• Thinking About Housing "Housing 101"
Accessible Beaches & Parks are listed as:
A) Accessible Pools & Spray Decks at State Parks
B) Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs at State Parks
C) Floating Beach Chairs in local communities
An accessible summer, it's finally here! Sharon Marie
Demystifying Legislative Advocacy for Massachusetts Families
Demystifying Legislative Advocacy for Massachusetts Families: Webinar, June 28th. Lunch-and-Learn with Kathleen Amaral, Karen Claudio, and Ebony McGlynn from MassFamilies. Learn about the Disability Rights & Family Support movement relative to advocacy & systems to advocacy & systems change. Strengthen...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
    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
    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, June 29th part 2, with South Shore Support Services. Free. This course provides parents and others with the skills and interventions needed to improve behavior and to prevent, minimize, and manage potentially dangerous incidents. You must attend session 1 in order to...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
    Down-Syndrome Autism Connection with the MDSC
    Down-Syndrome Autism Connection with the MDSC Virtual Group, June 29th. The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection™ is dedicated solely to co-occurring Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. For all families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis..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, July 3rd, 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...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

    Sensory-Friendly Days with the Massachusetts Audubon Society
    Sensory-Friendly Days with Mass Audubon: June 26th. The Mass Audubon Society Sensory Friendly Days are at sanctuaries throughout Massachusetts.
    * Stone Barn, Dartmouth- 10:00-10:45am
    *
    North River Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield - 10-10:45am
    * T
    idmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Plymouth- 2:pm & 4 pm.* .
    Many of these sanctuaries offer "All Persons Trails", which feature wide, flat, ADA-accessible paths....Read more
    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
    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.)
    "Morningstar Access" Boston Children's Museum
    Morningstar Access at Boston Children's Museum June 29th, at pre-registered times. Children with special and medical needs may enjoy the Boston Children's Museum in an uncrowded environment, with few other visitors and less concern about infections and large crowds. There are now two different versions of Morningstar. 1. All Masks On! 2. Mask Exceptions Considered...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
    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-Directed Disability Services with the DDS
    Self-Directed Disability Services with the DDS: Webinar, June 30th, with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. Join interactive discussions about
    expanding choices and control in your life through Self Directed Supports, and how participants and their families can design individualized services to meet their needs through the Participant Directed Program or...
    Read more
    Self-Advocacy Leadership Series with the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council
    Self-Advocacy Leadership Series: Webinars with the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council.. 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Acting & Improv for Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities
    Acting & Improv for Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities: Boston, July 7th - August 4th. Free. Partners for Youth with Disabilities' Access to Theater after school program is Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities, ages 13-24. Here’s your chance to express yourself and be creative . All levels of experience will be accepted...Read more
    Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs
    Boundaries & Relationships for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs: On Line, July 6th - August 21st, 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. Students move through the Whole Selves’ relationships curriculum....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