March 2026 Edition
Empowered IDD Resources
Activities, classes, adaptive sports, sensory-friendly outings, and community meetups to support connection, movement, and joy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
DD Awareness Month Events
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Oregon’s 2026 theme: “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
🎗️ FeaturedOCDD DD Awareness Month Events
Tue, Mar 3 — Virtual Kick-Off Event, 12:00–1:00 PM (Zoom)
Tue, Mar 10 — Main Event: In-Person DD Awareness Celebration, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM (Salem + Livestream)
Self-advocate panels, community celebration, and more throughout March
Zoom link and event details available on OCDD’s DD Awareness page.
Transition to Adulthood Seminar
Tue, Mar 3 · 6:00–7:30 PM
CODSN + Squibb Counseling Services
Planning for the transition from school to adult services, guardianship, benefits, and more
Transition to Kindergarten / Transición al kínder
Tue, Mar 17 · 6:00–7:30 PM
FACT Oregon — Bilingual (English/Spanish)
For families of children with disabilities preparing for kindergarten
Empowered Services Programs
Our own recurring activities for the people we support.
Weekly Bowling with Empowered Services
Join us for inclusive, joyful bowling — open to individuals of all abilities. Connect, laugh, and have fun in a safe, welcoming space!
TuesdaysLanger’s Entertainment Center · 21650 SW Langer Farm Pkwy, Sherwood$4/hr
WednesdaysBullwinkle’s Entertainment · 29111 Town Center Lp W, WilsonvilleWilsonville
FridaysThe REC · 3500 River Rd N, KeizerKeizer
Shoe rental included at Langer’s ($4/hr). The REC offers discounted pricing for DSP and special needs bowlers. All locations are wheelchair accessible with ball ramps available. Contact your scheduler or call (503) 855-3581 ext. 109 for times and details.
SponsoredSensory-Friendly Movie
Regal Hilltop (Oregon City): 3rd Wednesday monthly, 5:45 PM
Metro Cinemas (Eugene): 3rd Monday monthly, 6:30 PM
Limited seating. Registration through third-party site — schedules may vary.
Dance & Fitness (DSNO)
Structured movement, stretching, rhythm, swim, and gym — via the Down Syndrome Network of Oregon. Open to all with I/DD.
Adult Dance Clinic
Wednesdays 4:30–5:30 PM
Mar 4, 11, 18 (final winter session)
West Linn Adult Community Center
$120/session (scholarships available)
DSNOFit: Gym + Swim
DSNOFit Gym — Wednesdays (Mar 4, 18)
DSNOFit Swim — Mondays (Mar 9, 16)
Winter sessions — Portland metro area
Sports & Movement
Low-pressure ways to stay active, learn new skills, and connect.
Pickleball Clinic (DSNO)
Saturday, March 7 · 2:30–4:15 PM
Rolling Hills Community Church, 3550 SW Borland Rd, Tualatin
4 courts with instructors • No experience required • Equipment provided
Every Body Athletics
Inclusive group exercise for adaptive movement + social practice
Multiple Portland locations + online Zoom classes
All Ability Drop-in Basketball
Mondays throughout March (Hillsboro)
Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Hillsboro Adaptive Recreation
Special Olympics Oregon
Year-round sports and competitions for people with intellectual disabilities across Oregon
Check their events page for March competitions and local team info
DealTopgolf: Weekday Deals
Unlimited Play: Mon–Fri, 9 AM–Noon — $15/person
Winter Play Days: Mon–Thu, $40/hr per bay
Outdoor & Adaptive Sports (OAS)
Oregon Adaptive Sports brings adaptive skiing, nordic, and outdoor recreation to Central Oregon.
Ski For All 2026 + Community Nordic
Ski For All Kickoff Party: Fri, Mar 13
Ski For All 2026: Sat, Mar 14
Community Nordic: Sundays (Mar 1, 8, 15, 22) + Wednesdays (Mar 4, 11, 18, 25)
Hoodoo Community Nordic: Sat, Mar 21
Beer & Board Wax: Thu, Mar 26 at Boneyard Beer
Sensory-Friendly & Family
Options designed to reduce sensory load while keeping play and community at the center.
30+ EventsHillsboro Adaptive Recreation — March Calendar
A packed March calendar of sensory playtime, adaptive swim, art, social groups, and more:
Every weekSensory Playtime — multiple sessions (some free)Recurring
WeekendsSensory Friendly Swim — Mar 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29Recurring
Mar 2Power in Play · BINGO @ Hidden CreekSocial
Mar 4Circular Dances · Trivia Night @ Griffin’s PlaceSocial
Mar 6Messy ArtCreative
Mar 10Creativity Unleashed · Sensory AdventureCreative
Mar 16Social Skills: Self-Advocacy @ Griffin’s PlaceSkills
Mar 17Food & Fitness: Cardio for Heart HealthWellness
Mar 18SENSE-ational Craft Time: Rainbow TwirlersCreative
Mar 23Adaptive Cheer ClinicNew!
Mar 27Sound SafariSensory
Mar 30Creativity UnleashedCreative
Oaks Park Sensory Skate
Wed, Mar 25 · 10:00–11:30 AM
Oaks Park Roller Rink — sensory-friendly environment
GroWild Boutique Playroom
Neurodivergent play zone designed with OT + sensory integration
6923 NW Friberg-Strunk St. STE 110, Camas, WA
Open Gym: Weekdays 5–9 PM (by reservation)
Community & Social
Low-pressure spaces for friendship, conversation, games, and shared interests.
Autism Society of Oregon — March Events
ASO hosts social groups, game clubs, cosplay meetups, drop-in hours, and more across Oregon and online:
Mon, Mar 2Forest Grove Game Club (5:00–6:45 PM)In-Person
Fri, Mar 6ASO Drop-In Hours — Portland (1:00–4:00 PM)In-Person
Sun, Mar 8Women & Non-Binary Friendship GroupOnline
Mon, Mar 9Intersectional Identity Group (1:30–3:00 PM)Online
Mon, Mar 16Friendship Group for Autistic Kids (6:00–6:45 PM)Online
Mon, Mar 16Social Skills Discussion Group (Eugene)In-Person
Wed, Mar 18Adaptive Arts Guild (Monmouth)Creative
Fri, Mar 20ASO Cosplay Group — Beaverton (5:00–8:00 PM)Social
Mon, Mar 23Intersectional Identity Group (1:30–3:00 PM)Online
Fri, Mar 27ASO Drop-In Hours — Portland (1:00–4:00 PM)In-Person
Fri, Mar 27“Happy Hour” for Autistic Adults (7:30–8:30 PM)Online
The Arc Portland Metro — Club Impact
Mon, Mar 9 — DJ Lamar’s Dance Night
Mon, Mar 16 — Birthday & Game Night (6:00–8:00 PM)
Wed, Mar 18 — Pizza & Movie Night
Game Night — Beaverton
1st Friday monthly · 5:00–7:00 PM
Unified Art Studio, 6700 SW 105th Ave #106, Beaverton
Oregon Zoo: Winter Discount Days
Feb 28 – Mar 6 · 9 AM–5 PM
$13 admission — advance timed tickets required
Hillsboro Social Events
Mar 2 — BINGO @ Hidden Creek
Mar 4 — Trivia Night @ Griffin’s Place
Mar 16 — Social Skills: Self-Advocacy @ Griffin’s Place
Guides & Resources
Helpful planning resources for sensory-friendly outings and family support.
OMSI Sensory Guide (PDF)
Navigate OMSI in a sensory-friendly way — quiet spaces, intensity maps, accommodation tips
Key Resource Links
FACT Oregon — Family disability training & advocacy
CODSN — Central Oregon Disability Support Network
OCDD — Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities
ODHS — Provider & partner resources
More Resources Coming Soon
We’re working on adding more March 2026 resources:
- OGA Adaptive Gymnastics
- St. Johns Community Center sensory play
- Oregon City Library programs
- Tryon Creek Nature Walk
- Additional Special Olympics Oregon events
- Portland Parks adaptive programming