We’re excited towelcomeTymra, ournewProgram Coordinator of the Guided Personal Supports Program. Tymrawill beworkingwith clients and families to provide support andwill also be reaching out periodicallyforcheckins She is excited to connectwith families and be a resource throughout theirjourneywith the NortheastArc!
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society offering unique movie showings where we turn the lights up and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing!
Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family- friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.
UNIVERSAL ACCESS PLAYGROUNDS
IN NORTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Inclusive,barrier-freespacesdesignedforallabilities,includingthosewithphysical,sensory, or developmental disabilities.
NOTE: Playgrounds at schools are not available to the public during school hours
Arlington
Robbins Farm Park
61 Eastern Ave
Beverly Pete’s Park
55 Middlebury Lane
Touch the Sky Playground
Children's Center for Communication/
Beverly School for the Deaf
6 Echo Ave
Burlington
Francis Wyman
41 Terrace Hall Avenue
Cambridge
Louis A. DePasquale Playground
99 Sherman Street
Chelmsford
Friendship Park Playground
270 Old Westford Road
Concord
Guild School 521 Virginia Road
Lowell
Hovey Park
266 Aiken Ave
Durkin Park
294 Chelmsford Street
Malden
Beebe School
401 Pleasant Street
Medford
McGlynn Elementary
3002 Mystic Valley Pkwy
Peabody
Ross Memorial Park
38 Johnson Street
Brown Elementary School
150 Lynn Street
Sudbury
SMILE Playground
40 Fairbank Rd
Waltham
Universal Access Playground 200 Trapelo Road
Westford
Ronan Mcelligott P Williams Road
Woburn Ferrullo Park Main Street
West Newbury Action Cove 15 Bachelor Street
Last Reviewed: 4/17/2026
Anyone with a permanent disability (physical or intellectual) can get an Access Pass for free to use at National Parks!
3 Ways to Get Your Access Pass:
In person - the closest options are Lowell National Historic Park or Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport
Order online to receive by mail
Order a digital pass online that can be stored on your phone.
Required Information:
A valid photo ID such as a US passport, driver’s license, or state-issued ID
Documentation of permanent disability - either a statement from a physician, a document from either the VA, SSDI, or SSI, or a document issued by a state organization such as DDS or MassAbility.
Benefits of the Pass:
The pass owner and up to 3 other adults (children under 16 are always free) can get in with the pass.
Use the pass to get discounts on campsites, guided tours, and more!
Children and adults with autism, sensory sensitivities, and special needs
Clients with mobility challenges, neurological conditions, and physical disabilities
Senior citizens
Enjoy a calm, patient personalized service with no rush, no waiting rooms, and no unfamiliar environment!
Service Locations:
Senior centers LaurenhasbeenalicensedbarberinMassachusetts and New Hampshire for nearly 20 years. She has practicedintheGreaterGardnerareasnippingand clippingthehairofseniors,thosewhofacemobility challenges,orhavespecialneedsinlcudingchildren andadultsontheAutismSpectrum.
Private residences
Assisted living facilities
Nursing homes
Adult day programs
HOWITWORKS GETINTOUCH
Contact Lauren for Pricing Appointments
General inquires
National
Night Out
National Night Out is a nationwide event to strengthen police-community partnerships and promote safer neighborhoods.
2026
Meet Your Officers
Get toknow the men and women who protect and serve our community
Building Safer, Stronger Communities Together Tuesday, August 4 Monday,August 3rd , 2026 ,
Community Connections
Connect with neighbors and local organizations and resources
Communicating Clearly Under Stress: Strategies for Tough Conversations
Date & Time
Description August 12, 2026 11:00 AM
When stress rises, communication often becomes challenging – people speak faster, listen less, and react more strongly than intended. In this course, you’ll discover how stress impacts communication and learn practical strategies to express yourself clearly, even when emotions are intense. This isn’t about avoiding difficult conversations; it’s about approaching them with confidence, making them safer and more productive for everyone involved.
Attachment Styles: Tools for Emotional Safety, Communication, and Healthy Boundaries
Date & Time
August 26, 2026 11:00 AM
Description Learn practical skills to build safer, stronger connections in everyday life. Whether you are navigating relationships at home, in a caregiving role or in your personal life, this session teaches tools that help you reduce reactivity, set clear limits, repair misunderstandings, and communicate needs in ways that build trust. Discuss grounding strategies, self-awareness, and step-by-step communication practices that support healthier and more stable relationship patterns. Part 2 in a 3-part series.
Understanding Depression
Date & Time
Description August 5, 2026 11:00 AM
How is depression different from sadness? An accessible guide to understanding causation, symptoms, and treatment options for depressive disorders Learn practical tips for managing symptoms and helping others in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist
Healthy Eating Tips & Recipes
Accessible Chef is a collection of free visual recipes and other resources to help teach cooking skills to individuals with disabilities at home or in a special education.
Check out our website for visual recipes, resources, and our recipe creator!
What kind of resources are available to teach cooking skills?
Visual Recipes
Visual recipes make use of task analysis, which is an evidence-based approach for breaking down a complex task into manageable steps. Each task is separated into discrete skills, and individuals can learn to complete skills in a specific order to learn new tasks. Students may require visual, physical, or verbal prompts to complete each skill, and prompts may be gradually removed as the individual becomes more independent. Visual recipes share similarities with PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and curricula created with Boardmaker.
Assistive Technologies
Assistive technologies are available in a variety of low and high tech options. Cooking apps can be found in the Apple app store, and include images of cooking supplies, actions, and appliances that can be combined into recipes and viewed on a phone or tablet. Parents and teachers can also produce video or audio-based prompts, which can be played on phones, tablets, computers, or portable DVD players.
Kitchen Equipment
Kitchen equipment can be adapted to make cooking easier and safer for individuals with physical disabilities. Ideas for adapting kitchen equipment can be found in the resources section. Many challenges in the kitchen can be solved with a combination of creativity, adaptation, and practice.
Check out these recipes by clicking the images below.
RECIPES RECIPE CREATOR RESOURCES
Shepherd's Pie
Apple-Chicken Sald
Banana Bread
LGBTQ+ Community Gatherings
A space to build a support system, and a sense of chosen family, with your community.
Our community gatherings are peer-led support groups that are non-clinical and led by a collective of individuals with lived experience in the group's topic or community. Each community gathering is unique to the population it serves and is created in a peer-led collaborative group process There is no pressure to share to attend We welcome anyone, anywhere that is 18+.
For more information, visit https://peersupportspace. org/communitygatherings-1 Daily Communal Gatherings
MassHire
LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF
One of the best ways to explore careers is to understand more about yourself.
What is MassHire?
MassHire is a statewide network of career centers in Massachusetts that provide employment and training services to job seekers, including individuals with developmental disabilities.
Career Cluster Inventory Learning Styles
The Career Cluster Inventory helps you think about activities that you like and matches them to the 16 national career clusters Learning more about your interests and how they fit with clusters is one way to find a career you will enjoy!
Answer a variety of questions that will generate results based on your interests
Survey
Take a short survey to help identify the ways you learn best. Knowing more about your learning style will make you a more effective learner You will also get study tips for your learning style.
Employer Connections
Job Search Assistance
MassHire career centers offer personalized job search assistance, including help with creating resumes, practicing interview skills, and identifying job opportunities that match the individual's skills and abilities.
MassHire works closely with local employers and can help individuals with developmental disabilities connect with companies that are committed to hiring and supporting employees with disabilities.
Training Opportunities
MassHire offers various training programs and workshops that can help individuals with developmental disabilities acquire new skills or enhance existing ones, improving their employability.
Experience Cinderella on stage, performed by NSMT’s Summer Education Program students. This youth edition reimagines a classic with charm and humor!
Friday, August 21
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM 2:00 PM - 3:25 PM
NorthShoreMusicTheatre 54DunhamRoad Beverly,MA
Jazz & Soul Fest
Take a drive, ride the train, or hop on the trolley into Salem for the Jazz & Soul fest! Enjoy this free event including concerts, artisan vendors, and learn about music
Saturday, August 15 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
SalemWillows 165FortAve Salem,MA
Have some carnival fun at Beverly Homecoming! Join in on carnival games, enjoy sweet treats, and more! Game tickets can be bought in $2 or $5 options.
Friday, August 7 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
BevRec Carnival *cashonly*
LynchPark 55OberStreet
Central Middlesex | Community Opportunities
Romeo and Juliet
Experience a timeless tragedy between two lovers as they navigate their rival families. There are limited chairs, but chairs and blankets are welcome!
ConcordFreePublicLibrary 129MainStreet
Concord,MA
Rain venue:
Saturday, August 1
Sunday, August 2
6:00 PM
Walden Performing Arts Center 51 Walden Street
Concord, MA
Perseid Meteor Shower
Join in for a night hike, campfire and s’mores, stargazing outside of city lights, and (optional) overnight stay in tent. There is likely to be a meteor shower before 11 PM!
Evening tickets (until 11:00 PM): $20
Overnight tickets (checkout 10:00 AM): $40
Tent rental (*limited): $5
Saturday, August 15
6:15 PM
Registration required
FarringtonNatureLine 295CambridgeTurnpike
Lincoln,MA
Summer Concert Series
Friday, August 7: Vyntyge Skynyrd
Friday, August 14: Best Friends Girl
Friday, August 21: Into the Floyd with Laser Light Show
Celebrate one of New England’s longest-running community festivals at Yankee Homecoming, featuring live music, artisam vendors, heritage tours, waterfront activities, fireworks, and a festive parade!
Fireworks - August 1 @ 9:15 PM
Parade - August 2 @ 12:00 PM
MarketSquare Newburyport,MA
Asian Fest
Experience the rich cultures of Asia at Andover Asian Fest, featuring live performances, cultural demonstrations, food vendors, and local exhibitors! ParkStreet Andover,MA
Saturday, August 8 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Weekly Board Game Night
Enjoy an evening of tabletop gaming,socializing, and friendly competition! All experience levels are welcome, making it a great way to meet new people and discover new games
CreatorPultGames 38EmersonStreet Haverhilll,MA Every friday 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Lowell Area | Community Opportunities
Puerto Rican Fest
Immerse yourself in Puerto Rican culture through music, dance, food, and community. This free event brings people together for two days of entertainment!
Saturday, August 8
Sunday, August 9 12:00 PM
JFKPlaza 50ArcandDrive Lowell,MA
Student Film Festival
Support the next generation of filmmakers, featuring a showcase of creative short films
Enjoy an evening of storytelling, imagination, and community while celebrating local emerging talent!
Kick off your Sunday morning by checking out a variety of unique vehicles, enjoying a cup of coffee, and connecting with fellow car enthusiasts of all ages!
Join for a fun and exciting multi-media Trivia Night! Games start at 7! followed by musical Bingo!
Sunday, August 2
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM *free!
880MainStreet Tewksbury,MA
Metro North | Community Opportunities
FanExpo Boston
Step into your favorite fandoms at FanExpo! Enjoy a weekend of celebrity appearances, costumes, interactive experiences, etc!
At one of the last working farms in the South Shore, hang out with sheep, goats, and more! Guests are welcome to explore the farm and woodland trails as well.
Member Adult: $5
Member Child: $5
Sunday, August 16 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
*Registration required
Nonmember Adult: $10
Nonmember Child: $10
WeirRiverFarm 140TurkeyHillLane Hingham,MA
Free Sensory Swim
Cool off from the heat with sensory-friendly swimming! This area offers a supportive and lowsensory environment. Therapy noodles, fidgets, kickboards, and water-resisitant headphones are provided.
Every Saturday 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
*Registration required
JCCGreaterBoston 333NahantonStreet Newton,MA
BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM
THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM IS AN EFFORT TO EASE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR INTERACTIONS.
Streamlining Communication Encouraging Preparedness
The Blue Envelope is more than just an envelope; it's a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity and understanding. It represents a step forward in ensuring that every driver, regardless of their neurological differences, can experience a sense of safety and respect on the road.
Through this program, we aim to build bridges between law enforcement and the autism community, fostering a culture of awareness and compassion that benefits everyone involved.
For more information, visit: www.mass.gov/info-details/blue-envelope-program
Eleplan is an AI-powered care planning platform transforming the caregiver experience. Inspired by lived caregiving realities, Eleplan transforms care from fragmented and stressful to organized and peaceful, giving families time with their loved ones, not just coordinating their care.
CompetitiveAdvantage
Eleplanis themost secureAIcaregiving platform, exceeding HIPAA requirements with zero LLM data retention. Its user-led design, real-time collaboration, and tailored data extraction differentiate it from generic notes apps or rigid care platforms.
PROBLEM
Family caregivers are overwhelmed managing care with outdated tools and siloed information. Fragmented care leads to burnout, unmanaged burden, and dangerous gaps.
KnowledgeBase
SOLUTION
Eleplan’s AI creates personalized, shareable care plans from user documents and data, streamlining everything from medications to routines, enabling seamless collaboration and peace of mind.
MARKET SIZE
The U.S. caregiving market exceeds $648B annually. Eleplan targets the 53M U.S. family caregivers. B2B expansion includes health plans and community agencies that support families.
Meet Elllie: Your personal care search engine will generate the most relevant and trusted answers to help you navigate care with confidence.
Upload documents and let us do the rest. No more searching endlessly through piles of paper. Eleplan provides searchable data points for care.
Eleplan collects data at the most granular level to make inferences regarding next steps necessary in your planning journey.
Collaborate,CustomizeandShare
Add Members to collaborate, share on-demand data, customized for every situation and person involved in care.
The Importance of Knowing
Human Rights
Understanding your human rights is important. They ensure dignity, respect, and equal opportunities for all. By being aware of your rights can create an environment that encourages independence, personal growth, and full participation in community life. If you would like to learn more about your human rights, reach out to our Human Rights Officer.
Have Questions or Concerns?
Please contact one of our Human Rights Officers:
Jeffrey Boucher
Assistive Technology Coordinator
Family Supports (978) 924 - 5624 jboucher@ne-arc.org
Amanda Spartichino
ASC Coordinator
Your Human Rights include:
Dignity: To be treated with respect, including respect for ethnic and cultural diversity.
Family Support ASC (978) 924- 5830 aspartichino@ne-arc.org
Self-determination: To make meaningful choices and informed decisions about your life, including taking reasonable risks.
Communication: To communicate with others and fully express yourself, with access to necessary assistance and devices.
Relationships: To visit others, receive visitors, and have friendships and intimate relationships.
Privacy: In personal care, communication, visits, your home, and personal information.
Personal Safety: To feel safe and be free from harm or abuse.
Personal Property: To obtain, keep, use, and dispose of personal possessions.
Education, Employment, and Compensation: To have equal access to education and employment opportunities, and fair compensation for work.
Community Membership: To receive services that promote living in the least restrictive and most typical settings, encouraging meaningful community membership.
Northeast Arc’s Adult Autism Support Center assists adults with Autism ages 18 and older within the Northeast region, enabling them to flourish in their everyday lives. Our Center creates an environment that encourages personal growth, social inclusion, and self-advocacy. Northeast Region Areas & their Adult Autism Specialists
Lowell Area Contact Us: AdultAutism@ne-arc.org or (978) 624 - 2603
NortheastArc’s Community Resource Center connects individuals and familieswith valuable resourcesand events in theirlocal communities. By providing access to these resources, the Community Resource Center empowers families and individuals to actively participate in community life, creating a sense of belongingand inclusion.
