Various Dates & Locations — The Arc of Texas

The Arc of Texas is a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates for and supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. It works to promote independence, protect rights, and improve access to services through policy advocacy, education, and community partnerships. Public events such as trainings, webinars, and community engagement opportunities are also offered to increase awareness and support for individuals and families.

• Date, Time & Location: 
  • August 13: The Arc of the Capital Area
    • The Arc of the Capital Area Building at 1106 Clayton Lane #215E Austin, Texas 78723 (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

Contact your local chapter for details and to RSVP.

Need assistance? Reach Arc of Texas at publicpolicy@thearcoftexas.org or 512-454-6694.

Last Saturday of Every Month — Sensory Club “Teen & Young Adult Night” 

Sensory Club Austin is an inclusive indoor play space and sensory gym in Cedar Park, built for people with disabilities of all ages and the families who love them. From swings and climbing equipment to a calming sensory room, every corner is designed so individuals with disabilities and their siblings can move, explore, and play exactly as they are, without judgment, without barriers.

• Date, Time & Location: 
  • Last Saturday of Every Month: The Sensory Club
    • The Sensory Club 11066 Pecan Park Blvd. #417, Cedar Park, Texas 78613 
    • *Free for members, $10 for guests (parents/caregivers are free)

More information at: sensoryclubatx.com

Saturday,  August 15, 2026 — 2026 Empowerment Conference — Sickle Cell Association of Texas

• Date, Time & Location:
  • August 15, 2026
    • American Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77098 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
    • More information at sicklecelltx.org/ Register Here: Link

Saturday,  August 22, 2026 — 2026 Pathways to Possibilities Conference

Join the Partners Resource Network and Baylor University’s Center for Disability & Flourishing for the 2026 Pathways to Possibilities Conference—a day dedicated to connecting families, youth with disabilities, self-advocates, and community organizations with valuable information, resources, and opportunities.

• Date, Time & Location:
  • August 22, 2026
    • Baylor University - Cashion Academic Center, 1401 South 4th Street, Waco, Texas, 76706 (map) (9:30 AM - 3:00 PM)
    • More information at: Pathways to Possibilities Conference 

September 5th, 2026 - 23rd Annual Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival

The Film Festival takes place in the Special Event Center of Austin's Central Library, located at 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701.

The event space has open seating, with unattached chairs on a level floor, and some tables for those who need a surface. All films will be screened with open captions, and ASL interpretation will be provided for all spoken portions of the Festival. Live audio description devices will be available.

Join for an evening featuring this year's winning films.

• 5:00 PM: Snacks and socializing
• 5:30 PM: Program begins
• Complimentary refreshments available (donations welcome)
• Open captions, ASL interpretation, and audio description devices provided

More information at 23rd Annual Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival.

Last Saturday of Every Month — Sensory Club “Teen & Young Adult Night” 

Sensory Club Austin is an inclusive indoor play space and sensory gym in Cedar Park, built for people with disabilities of all ages and the families who love them. From swings and climbing equipment to a calming sensory room, every corner is designed so individuals with disabilities and their siblings can move, explore, and play exactly as they are, without judgment, without barriers.

• Date, Time & Location: 
  • Last Saturday of Every Month: The Sensory Club
    • The Sensory Club 11066 Pecan Park Blvd. #417, Cedar Park, Texas 78613 
    • *Free for members, $10 for guests (parents/caregivers are free)

More information at: sensoryclubatx.com

Light Out!  — Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Turn off your lights, protect wildlife. It's fall migration! Keep birds flying high by turning off non-essential lighting from 11pm - 6am.

• Date, Time & Location: 
  • August 15 - November 30; 11pm - 6am.

Multiple Dates/Locations - Topgolf Pro AM for Special Olympics Texas

This exciting charity event provides the opportunity to benefit Special Olympics Texas while simultaneously giving you and your colleagues the experience to compete in a world-renowned Topgolf arena. 

Register today to reserve you and your team's spot in the Topgolf ProAm for Special Olympics Texas! Special Olympics Texas athletes participate for free! 

Contact your local staff for more information on how to register!

• North - DFW: The Colony — 9/18/2026 — 10:00 AM — Register
• North - DFW: Fort Worth — 9/15/2026 — 10:00 AM — Register
• Central - Austin — 9/18/2026 — 9:00 AM — Register
• East - Houston: Katy — 9/18/2026 — 10:00 AM — Register
• East - Houston: Bryan — 9/18/2026 — 10:00 AM — Register
• South - New Braunfels — 9/17/2026 — 9:00 AM — Register
• South - San Antonio — 9/18/2026 — 9:00 AM — Register
• South - Pharr — 9/19/2026 — 9:00 AM — Register
• West  - El Paso — 9/18/2026 — 11:00 AM — Register
   

October 8-10 - High Steaks in The Basin - Special Olympics Texas - Midland–Odessa, Texas

Sign up athletes to participate in FUNdamental Sports at the 2026 Fall Classic. FUNdamental Sports is a state-level Unified competition for athletes who cannot compete in traditional Special Olympics sports without modifications.  Athletes participate in a variety of sports: Bocce, Flag Football, Golf, Softball, and Swimming. Lifetime Activities, introduction to modified lifestyle and health related activities: Yoga, Martial Arts, and much more.  

• Date, Time & Location:
  • October 8-10, 2026 
    • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Downtown YMCA 800 N Big Spring St, Midland, TX 79701

All athletes are encouraged to participate in Healthy Athletes, Athlete Village, Opening Ceremonies and the Victory Dance. FUNdamental athletes and Unified Partners registration fees are waived. Registration Forms (Entry Forms) should be submitted by September 3,  2026 to receive Fall Classic t-shirt, and housing grants.  Onsite registration will be offered each day from 10 am - 12:30 pm.  Athletes must begin their competition by 12:30 pm. 

Registration Forms (Entry Forms) should be submitted by September 3,  2026 to receive Fall Classic t-shirt, and housing grants. Onsite registration will be offered each day from 10 am - 12:30 pm.  Athletes must begin their competition by 12:30 pm. 

For more information or to register visit https://www.sotx.org/fall-classic or contact Renee Klovenski at rklovenski@sotx.org

October 9-10 - High Steaks in The Basin - Special Olympics Texas - Midland–Odessa, Texas

Special Olympics Texas announces High Steaks in the Basin, a new two-day steak & barbecue competition taking place October 9–10, 2026 alongside Fall Classic in Midland–Odessa. The event will bring together sponsors, corporate cooking teams, and community supporters to raise funds for Special Olympics Texas athletes. 

For more information visit sotx.org/HIGHSTEAKS 

Neighborhood Litter Stomp— Fort Worth, Texas

This annual citywide cleanup event brings residents together each fall to pick up litter from the places that matter most – from your street and your entire block to a community park right down the road.

• Date, Time & Location:
  • October 17, 2026
    • Fort Worth, Texas 8:00 am - 11:00 am (Early registration starts August 1st - 16th)

More information at fortworthtexas.gov/litterstomp.
 

A resource that could be useful for families seeking inclusive summer opportunities:

• https://www.summercamps.com/camp/category/special-needs-camps/

Resource Expo Central Texas

• Date & Time: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM CDT
• Location: Harris Community Center | Belton, TX
• Description: A regional expo for families of children with special needs to meet local service providers, including those focused on post-secondary transition and vocational support.
• Hosted by: Bell County Committee for People with Disabilities partnered with Belton Parks & Recreation Department

AUTonomy – Adult Housing Options Workshop

• Date & Time: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 12:00 PM CDT
• Location: 5555 N Lamar Blvd, Suite L107 | Austin, TX
• Description: An in-depth look at housing options and independent living strategies for young adults transitioning out of the family home.
• Hosted by: Autism Society of Texas

Temple ISD Sensory Night

• Date & Time: Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 5:30 PM
• Location: Meridith-Dunbar Early Childhood Academy | 1717 East Avenue J, Temple, TX
• Description: A low-pressure event for families to explore sensory-friendly activities and connect with inclusive community supports and the Partners Resource Network.
• Contact: Jessica Dominguez | 254-275-1362 | penregion12@prntexas.org.

3rd Annual Cars4Kids: Special Needs Resource Fair

• Date & Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM
• Location: Silsbee Public Library | 295 North 4th Street, Silsbee, TX
• Description: A resource fair combined with an annual car show, featuring live entertainment, food trucks, and vendors specifically for special needs families.

Empowering Parents Workshops

• Date & Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 10:30 AM
• Location: Mission Bend Branch Library | 8421 Addicks Clodine Road, Houston, TX
• Description: A workshop series to help parents understand and manage behaviors of children with special needs using proactive strategies.
• Registration: Limited spots available; register via Eventbrite. 

Recurring Adaptive & Sensory Programs

Homeruns & Heroes

• Date & Time: Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 10:00 AM
• Location: Greenville SportsPark | 3603 Leo Hackney Boulevard, Greenville, TX
• Description: An inclusive day of baseball activities and community resources dedicated to special and medical needs baseball.

Sensory Sensitive Sundays (Austin & Round Rock)

• Dates: Sunday, April 5 and Sunday, May 3, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Location: Participating local venues (e.g., Chuck E. Cheese).
• Description: Reduced lighting and noise levels to accommodate those with sensory sensitivities.
• Contact: Navigate Life Texas.

Sensory-Friendly Storytimes (Dallas & Cedar Hill)

• Dates/Times: Fridays (Dallas) and select Mondays (Cedar Hill) at 10:30 AM
• Location: Fretz Park Branch Library (Dallas) and Traphene Hickman Library (Cedar Hill)
• Description: Tailored for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing needs, incorporating songs, stories, and sensory activities like fidget toys.

AAC Storytime (Benbrook)

• Date & Time: Saturday, April 25 and Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 11:00 AM
• Location: Benbrook Public Library | 1065 Mercedes Street, Benbrook, TX
• Description: Designed for children (ages 3–21) who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to practice in a supportive space. 

Virtual YOUth Hangouts

• Date & Time: Typically monthly; check April/May dates at 5:30 PM CT
• Location: Virtual
• Description: Supervised socialization for young adults (ages 14–26+) with a disability or learning challenges.
• Registration: Available through the Partners Resource Network

Texas Parent to Parent (TxP2P) Pathways to Adulthood

• Date/Time: Scheduled as requested by local communities.
• Location: Various locations across Texas.
• Description: Free parent-led workshops covering all major transition topics, including guardianship, SSI, and managing adult medical care.
• Contact: Adriana Valadez | 866-896-6001 | Adriana.Valadez@txp2p.org.

Vocational Rehabilitation – Youth & Students (Pre-ETS)

• Date/Time: Enrollment is open year-round for students ages 14–22.
• Location: Local Workforce Solutions offices statewide.
• Description: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) including career exploration, work-based learning, and self-advocacy training.
• Contact: Use the TWC VR Office Locator or call 512-936-6400.