Sarasota Chock Full of Events for Those With Special Needs

July 6, 2022 - Vanessa Caceres

When it comes to events in Sarasota, there’s plenty to do for those who have special needs. This includes children or adults who are hearing or vision impaired, have mobility challenges, or on the autism spectrum.

Here is more information on date-specific and ongoing events that are geared toward those with special needs in the Sarasota area.

T-REC Water Exercise Class

Aug 11, 2022

Arlington Aquatic Center, 2650 Waldemere St., Sarasota. 11:15 a.m. to noon. Teens and adults with disabilities are invited participate in a free water exercise class. Caregivers and families are encouraged to participate and assist as needed. Enjoy the water while getting a full body workout, including a warm-up and cool down in an accessible pool. Noodles will be used. Bring your sunscreen and towel. Sponsored by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources in partnership with City of Sarasota Parks & Recreation.

T-REC Pool Party

Aug 25, 2022

Arlington Aquatic Center, 2650 Waldemere St., Sarasota. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The pool party will include music and snacks for teens and adults with disabilities. Caregivers are welcome to attend. The pool is wheelchair accessible. If desired, bring a lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables. Sponsored by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources in partnership with City of Sarasota Parks & Recreation.

Kid’s Night Out

Aug 27, 2022

Easterseals Southwest Florida, 350 Braden Ave., Sarasota. 4 to 8 p.m. Contact Easter Seals of Southwest Florida at 941-355-7637 for eligibility information and to register.

Diveheart Scuba Experience

Oct 15, 2022

Arlington Aquatic Center, 2650 Waldemere St., Sarasota. 1 to 3 p.m. Children and adults with disabilities and their families are invited to take part in a free Diveheart Scuba Experience. One pool session can quickly change the lives of children and adults with disabilities as they escape the confines of gravity. With the help of a highly trained Diveheart adaptive dive team, participants will immediately begin reaping the benefits of zero gravity and scuba therapy. Parental consent and attendance is required for those under 18 years of age. A signed waiver/registration form is required a minimum of three days before the event and prior to admission (ages: 10 and over). Sponsored by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources in partnership with City of Sarasota Parks & Recreation and Diveheart. Contact [email protected] for more details.

Kid’s Night Out

Oct 29, 2022

Easterseals Southwest Florida, 350 Braden Ave., Sarasota. 4 to 8 p.m. Contact Easter Seals of Southwest Florida at 941-355-7637 for eligibility information and to register.

Sensory Saturday at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

November 5, 2022

Mote Marine, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. During its Sensory Saturday events, Mote Marine opens its doors an hour early exclusively for individuals who have sensory processing differences or those with autism spectrum disorders. Individuals with disabilities who would benefit from a calmer sensory experience are also welcome. Mote will foster an inclusive environment for these aquarium guests. The exhibits may be enjoyed under soft lighting without heavy crowds, and with decreased noise level and visual stimulation wherever possible. Mote also holds other Sensory Saturdays throughout the year; contact Mote for future dates.

Kid’s Night Out

Dec 10, 2022

Easterseals Southwest Florida, 350 Braden Ave., Sarasota. 10 a.m. to noon. Come have breakfast With Santa. This event is part of Kid’s Night Out but will take place in the morning. Contact Easter Seals of Southwest Florida at 941-355-7637 for eligibility information and to register.

STARS (Successful, Talented, Adults, Reaching Skyward)

Every Wednesday

Easterseals Southwest Florida, 350 Braden Ave., Sarasota. 5:30 to 7 p.m. This group is designed to help young adults with disabilities increase their self-advocacy skills, make friends, and be more engaged in the community. Contact Easterseals Southwest Florida at 941-355-7637 for more information.

Game Night

Every second and fourth Thursday of the month

Held via Zoom by the All Friends Network, 6 p.m. Join All Friends Network online to play “Jeopardy!” or “Chicken or the Egg.” Contact Trevor J. Kelliher ([email protected]) for more information.

Fun Day

Third Saturday of the month

Forever Friends Special Needs Ministry, Bee Ridge Park, 4430 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota. Find fun, crafts, games, and snacks for all ages with disabilities. Contact Forever Friends via their online form for more information.

Rock the Spectrum Concert

Last Saturday of the month

Easterseals Southwest Florida, 350 Braden Ave., Sarasota. 5:30 p.m. Come enjoy bands that rock the spectrum at this free event. There is a food truck and lots of family fun. Contact Easterseals Southwest Florida at 941-355-7637 for more information.

Ongoing

Face Autism Sarasota

Sensory-friendly events are held throughout the year by Face Autism. Check its website for details.

Slice of Art

Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The Slice of Art program at Art Center Sarasota provides fun and educational art experiences for students and adults through guided tours of Art Center Sarasota’s changing exhibitions and hands-on art-making activities. Slice of Art tours for students in grades 3 to 12 are age-appropriate and designed to capture students’ imagination. The tours include connections to science, social studies, literature, and other subject areas. Slice of Art tours geared toward children on the autism spectrum are available and include a gallery tour, an art discussion, and sensory-friendly painting tools and clay. To set up this specialized tour, contact Jane Harris at [email protected].

The Ringling

5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. The Ringling strives to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for all visitors, including making programs, tours, exhibitions, and campus as accessible as possible. All the services listed on the accessibility webpage are current, including providing guided tactile and visual description tours, audio guides and large-print brochures for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

For visitors who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, there are T-Coil loop systems in the theatre and lecture hall spaces as well as the Visitor’s Pavilion. There are also listening devices for all tours and programs that are T-Coil compliant and provide ASL interpreters for any tour and program upon request. The Ringling also has transcripts for all audio guides available online.

Several public programs are in the process of returning after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon to return are Gallery Walk & Sign Tours and Ringling Reflections, a flagship program for people with memory loss and their care partners.

There also are a number of services for visitors on the autism spectrum. The social narrative is available online and is tailored for both adults and children. The Ringling also recently redesigned its sensory-friendly map to be more inclusive for both sensory-avoidant and sensory-seeking visitors.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Sensory Guide

Mote Marine, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota. Mote Marine is designated an Autism Friendly Business by CARD at the University of South Florida. It also has a 50-page accessibility guide that shows items in the sensory-friendly backpack and provides a visual narrative on what to expect when visiting Mote.