June N
June has officially arrived, bringing longer days, sunny skies, and a fresh wave of excitement to kick off the summer season. It’s the perfect time to get outside, try something new, and enjoy all the fun this time of year has to offer.
Inside this month’s newsletter, you’ll find a variety of activities, updates, and opportunities designed for the whole family to explore, connect, and make the most of the season together.
As always, remember that the GPS Team at Northeast Arc is here for you every step of the way. Whether you have questions, need support, or want help connecting with any of the services we provide, don’t hesitate to reach out we’re only a call or message away.
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer 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 (familyfriendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month
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!
For complete information:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/ interagency-access-pass.htm
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
Last Reviewed: 4/17/2026
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
EXPLORE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARIES!
Plant swaps in Danvers and Salem
A weekly Magic the Gathering Commander Night in Swampscott
Open Mic night in Rockport
Hip hop dance night for adults in Danvers
Adult/Family board game events in Middleton and Rockport
Zumba class in Lynn
Bird watching 101 in Swampscott
LOTS of new Mah Jong groups
Adult Dungeons & Dragons clubs in Peabody (in person) and Manchester (Viirtual)
Weekly movies in Hamilton, Middleton, and Danvers
Weekly Chess Club in Gloucester and Salem
Free/discounted passes to museums,stateparks, the aquarium, zoos, and other local attractions
Libraries of Things! Check out items like board games, camping equipment, a telescope, lawn games, and more just like you would a book!
Free access to ebooks, movies, music and more with your library card and apps like Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy!
Private meeting times for technology assistance, basic computer skills, access to specialized equipment like a 3D printer or a sewing machine.
Access to free WiFi, computer use, and free or low cost printing if you don’t have a printer at home
Librariesarethere
MEETLAURENBELL SPECIALIZINGIN
WHOISLAUREN
Lauren has been a licensed barber in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for nearly 20 years. She has practiced in the Greater Gardner area snipping and clipping the hair of seniors, those who face mobility challenges, or have special needs inlcuding children and adultsontheAutismSpectrum
Specialties:
Children and adults with autism, sensory sensitivities, and special needs
Clients with mobility challenges, neurological conditions, and physical disabilities
Senior citizens
Service Locations:
Private residences
Assisted living facilities
Nursing homes
Adult day programs
Senior centers
HOWITWORKS
Contact Lauren for Pricing Appointments
General inquires
Select the location
Home
Assisted living facility
Nursing home
Adult day program
Senior center
Enjoy a calm, patient personalized service with no rush, no waiting rooms, and no unfamiliar environment!
GETINTOUCH
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.
MORE RECIPES RECIPE CREATOR RESOURCES
Fish and Chips
Meatball Pasta Bake
Ice Cream Sunday
Walking Tacos
Peer support
You are not alone! Come join us for a peer led support group.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 pm to 3 pm
Scan the QR code or Click here to join
GRATEFUL ASPECTS
young adults peer support group
Mondays 3pm-4pm on Zoom
Scan the QR code Meet
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+.
Community Gatherings
Thefollowingarefree,non-clinical,peer-ledsupportgroupshostedbyPeerSupport SpacetakingplaceinEasternTime(EST).Newfriendsarealwayswelcome.
Registrationisrequiredforin-personeventssothatwecankeepourgatheringsunder 10peopleasaCOVIDprecaution. Forourvirtualgroups,pleaseusethezoomlinksonthewebsite(oncomputerorzoom phoneapp)toenter
12PMand6PMEachDay,Monday-Saturday
**YoumustemailMary@peersupportspace.orgto receivethepasscodesforthedailycommunal gatherings-thisisasecurityprecautiontoensure thatwearekeepingthespaceassafeaspossible.**
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.
Exploretheselocations/hobbiesfor yournextsessionwithyourclient!
Cost-Free
LocalParks
PublicLibraries
CommunityGardens
HikingTrails
PublicArtGalleriesorExhibitions
Farmer’Markets
UniversityCampuses(outdoor areas)
HistoricalLandmarksorMonuments
ScenicViewpointsorOverlooks
PublicSquaresorPlazas
BotanicalGardens(somemaybe free)
NatureReserves
WaterfrontAreasorRiverfronts
PublicSportsFacilities(basketball courts,tenniscourts)
BirdWatchingAreas
FreeMuseumDays
OutdoorFitnessParks
DogParks
GeocachingLocations
FreeconcertsinParks
Low-Cost NewHobbies
Localmuseums
Mini-golfcourses
BowlingAlleys
ArtClasses
LocalTheatreProductions
Farmer’sMarketCooking
Classes
PotteryPaintingStudio
EscapeRooms
YogaClasses
LocalSportsEvents
MovieTheatre
Restaurants
LocalMusicEvents
GardeningorIndoorPlantCare
ModelBuilding(trains,planes, ships)
JigsawPuzzles
DigitalPhotography
CodingorWebDevelopment
Collecting(stamps,coins,rocks)
DrawingorPainting
Origami
Birdwatching
Writing(journaling,fiction,poetry)
Knittingorcrocheting
Playingamusicalinstrument
CookingorBaking
AquariumKeeping
LegoBuilding
Scrapbooking
Metro North | Community Opportunities
VIRTUAL YOGA
LYNNFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Every Thursday 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Zoom
This is a 60 minute yoga class with our instructor Michelle Powers Register with a valid email at least an hour prior to class start time to receive the link to join the class. You will receive an email with login information a half hour before the class begins
CHESS CLUB DROP-IN. GLASS OFFICE, STONEHAM LIBRARY
Every Thursday in June 7PM-8PM
This drop-in program is for anyone looking to play chess with others. There will not be a staff member leading the meeting Meetings will take place at 7pm on every Thursday of the month in the Marcy Room. While some chess boards will be provided, players are also encouraged to bring their own boards
Ready Player One Games
Every Wednesday in June 2:30—4:30 PM
LevelupyourWednesdayswithourultimate gaminghangout!Grabyourfriendsanddiveinto funNintendoSwitchandPlayStationgames whetheryou'reracing,battling,orteamingupfor co-opfun,there'ssomethingforeveryone No registrationrequired Recommendedforages11 andup
Merrimack Valley | Community Opportunities
BOOKS AND MELODIES IN THE COURTYARD
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Lawrence Public Library
51 Lawrence St Lawrence Ma 01840
EveryWednesday,allsummerlong Joinusforlivemusic,rotatingperformers, andthekingofenergythatturnsneighbors intocommunity.
YOGA WITH LOIDAO LAWRENCE PUBLICE LIBRARY
Tuesday, June 09 2026 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Find your balance this summer! Join us for Yoga with Loida every Tuesday at 6 PM this June. This relaxing, beginnerfriendly class is perfect for adults looking to unwind, stretch, and recharge
FIESTA SHOWS WORCESTER CARNIVAL
June 3 - June 7 rd th
June 3, 2026 (Wednesday): 5pm to close
June 4, 2026 (Thursday): 5pm to close
June 5, 2026 (Friday): 5pm to close
June 6, 2026 (Saturday): 1pm to close
June 7, 2026 (Sunday): 1pm to close
Central Middlesex | Community Opportunities
CANOBIE LAKE PARK!
LAKE PARK 85 NORTH POLICY STREET, SALEM, UNITED STATES
Saturday, June 6 , 2026 th 10:30 a.m.
Cost:$25.00 ��
PleasejoinNationalGrid'sEmployee Associationforafamily-fundayatCanobie LakePark!Getreadyforthrillingrides, deliciousfood,andgreatcompany.A cateredlunchisincludedwithyourticket purchase Kids3andunderarefree Find Joy in Self-Expression FREE Weekly art program designed specifically Free
ART DROP IN LEXART PAINT STUDIO 130 WALTHAM STREET, LEXINGTON
Tuesdays 2pm-4pm
SENSORY FRIENDLY DAYS DAVE AND BUSTERS IN WOBURN
Every first and third Tuesday
Enjoy a welcoming environment with the music turned down and the lights turned up, making it a perfect evening for everyone.
Private FUNction Room will be available for you to sit, relax, and order food during the event!
You can choose to pre-order power cards
$25 Power Card with 135 chips + Unlimited Play Walk-ins welcome if you would prefer to not order anything in advance!
Lowell Area | Community Opportunities
KITY YOGA
Lazy Cat Lounge
June 5 , 2026 th 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Comestretchyourstressawaywiththemastersof flexibility!Joinusforyogawithourpurrfessionals andenjoytheircompanywhileyoukeepactive Appropriateforalllevels(beginnertoadvanced).P
177MerrimackSt, Lawrence, MA01843
ALTITUDE PARK SENSORY FRIENDLY SATURDAYS
June6th,2026@9:00am-10:00am
AltitudeTrampolinePark–Billerica 700BostonRoad
Billerica,MA01821
enjoyAltitudeatareducedrateof$12/perperson 9:00am-10:00amwhenyoumentionupon purchase
TRIVIA NIGHT & MUSICAL BINGO
Every Wednesday
Warp and Weft
197 Market St, Lowell, MA 01852, USA
Join for a fun and exciting multi-media Trivia Night! Games start at 7! followed by musical Bingo!
North Shore | Community Opportunities
Meadowbrook Restaurant
Hanson, MA
Theme: Summer Dinner Party
Date: June 15th, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 08:00 p.m.
Location: Meadowbrook Restaurant 1486 Main St
Hanson, MA 02341
Kids: $15
Adults: $30
This event like all Autism Eats events is entirely Autism family friendly and all behaviors are welcome
COMMUNITY ZEN BEVERLY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Every Friday in June 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Discover the basics of meditation practice and make contact with our own stability and sanity. Sessions will include brief instruction in sitting posture, teachings for well-being and healing, and practices for working with the mind, along with guided meditation for grounding and centering. Led by Zen Center's founder Joan Amaral
Barnet GalleryMain Library32 Essex Street, Beverly, MA, 01915
SALEM ARTS FESTIVAL
Downtown Salenm, Massachusetts 01970
June 5 - June 7 2026 th th
The 18th annual Salem Arts Festival, June 5-7, 2026, in historic downtown Salem, celebrating our Salem 400+ milestone through a vibrant showcase of local art, music, dance, and theatre performances across outdoor stages. This is a free, family-friendly event
Providing autism-friendly non-judgmental environments.
For family dining, socializing and connecting with others who share similar joys and challenges. ALL behaviors are welcomed!
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.
ThecoreideaoftheBlueEnvelopeisstraightforward yetimpactful Itinvolvesaspeciallydesignedenvelope thatholdsadriver'sessentialdocuments license, registration,andacontactcard However,its significancegoesbeyondjustastoragesolution The envelopefeaturescriticalcommunicationguidelineson itsexterior,specificallytailoredtoassistlawenforcement officersinrecognizingandadaptingtheirapproach wheninteractingwithadriverwhohasautism
THIS INITIATIVE ADDRESSES SEVERAL KEY OBJECTIVES:
Enhancing Understanding Reducing Anxiety
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
Thegold-standard evaluationformedically complexand/orolder adultdrivers Evaluationsforthose lookingtodrivewith adaptiveequipmentsuch ashandcontrols,spinner knobs,andleftfoot accelerators.
Overview
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.
DocumentParsingFuelsData DataCollectionandAnalytics
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
North Shore
Lenore Goodwin lgoodwin@ne-arc.org
Metro North
RebeccaOloughlin roloughlin@ne-arc.org
Merrimack Valley
KathyCallahan&MaryEllenD’Angelo kcallahan@ne-arc.org&medangelo@ne-arc.org
Central Middlesex
Deanna Mansfield dmansfield@ne-arc org
Laura Teckman lteckman@ne-arc org
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.
ne-arc.org
