“Together We Play - Celebrating Disability Awareness Month” will take place at the Goodnow Library. It is an event created for children and their families aged 18 months to 12 years old to come together to celebrate and learn about differences, abilities, and how you can be an ally for people with disabilities. Authors Jake Marrazzo and Lotte Diomede will read their books followed by activities led by Understanding Our Differences, a nationally recognized, award-winning program that uses a hands-on curriculum to foster acceptance and inclusion for people of all abilities. Viking Martial Arts will also lead a class. In addition, families can participate in a scavenger hunt of activities around the library led by Understanding Our Differences, Boston Ability Center, Child Therapy Boston, Diamond Physical Therapy Associates, New England Therapy Center, SMILE Mass, Sudbury SEPAC, and The Silver Unicorn Bookstore. When a child completes the scavenger hunt, their name will be entered to win a $100 gift card at Learning Express Toys and Gifts, gift card to New City Microcreamery, and books about equity and inclusion. A social story is available on the Goodnow Library’s website about the event. A sensory/calm space will also be made available to families.

Ashley Harris Whaley of Disability Reframed will have a Zoom conversation on “Unlearning Ableism: Action, Allyship & How to Talk to Children about Disability.” Ashley is an author, speaker, and disability educator. Disability Reframed combines self-learning with open dialogue and conversation to create a space where decades-old attitudes towards disability, disabled lives, and disabled people are dismantled, examined, and then thoughtfully rebuilt. Closed captioning and an American Sign Language interpreter will be provided for this virtual event.