Inclusive Community Activities Around Portland
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Hello! Welcome to our new blog!
We’re excited to create this space as an extension of our commitment to supporting people with disabilities and their families here in Oregon. Our goal is to highlight inclusive activities and community resources that bring joy, connection, and opportunity to children and adults with disabilities.
This blog will also serve as a hub for parents, guardians, and caregivers—sharing practical tips, uplifting stories, and tools that make daily life a little easier.
For our very first series, we’re focusing on inclusive activities in and around Portland, Oregon that welcome and celebrate individuals of all abilities. Future posts will spotlight other cities across the state, but we’re starting right here in Portland, where there are so many wonderful opportunities to explore together.
Upcoming Inclusive Activities for Children and Adults
Preschool Sensory Storytime -- Multnomah County Libraries
When:
Online: September 10, 17, 24
3:30 - 4:30 Register for the Zoom meeting here
In-person: Capitol Hill & Midland Libraries September 12,19, 26
11:15 - 12 pm at Capitol Hill Library
2:15 - 3 pm at Midland Library
Cost: Free
What it is: A smaller, more adaptive story time especially designed for children ages 3-5 and their families.
Activities for Adults with Disabilities -- Ages 18 & up
When: Friday August 29, 5-7 pm
Cost: Free, but guests must register to attend
Location: 5100 NE Hidden Creek Drive, Hillsboro, OR 97124
What it is: The Autism Society of Oregon is hosting a sensory-friendly 80's themed dance & game night at the Hidden Creek community center in Hillsborough. This dance is free and open to individuals who are 18 years or older. Light snacks and beverages will be provided for attendees. There will be games and tables to sit at as well.
Inclusive Community Events -- Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation
When: September 19, 5-7 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Elsie Stuhr Center, 5550 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton, 97005
What it is: The Fall Inclusion Festival is an inclusive and sensory-friendly event to showcase the Adaptive and Inclusive Fall programs hosted at Tualatin Hills Parks & Rec. Fun games, food and free, 5-7 pm, no registration required. Elsie Stuhr Center.
Sensory-friendly swim around Portland
Portland
When: Sundays from 11:30-1:30
Cost: $4 ages 3-12, $5 ages 13-17, $6 ages 18+, $5 ages 60 +
Reduced pricing available: Information about the PP&R reduced pricing for people who live within the city of Portland.
Location: Southwest Indoor Pool, 6820 SW 45th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219
What it is: Portland Parks & Recreation offers youth adaptive swim at the Southwest Indoor Pool. This is a reduced sensory experience for youth impacted by excess sensory stimulation. Water features and slides are turned off, and capacity is limited to 30 participants. Parents/guardians must be in the water with their swimmers at all times, regardless of height or age.
Milwaukie
When: October 18, 4:30-6 pm
Cost: $7 entrance fee, scholarships available.
Location: North Clackamas Aquatic Park, 7300 S.E. Harmony Rd, Milwaukie, OR 97222
What it is: North Clackamas Parks & Recreation offers sensory friendly swim time at the North Clackamas Aquatic Park. No waves, interactive fountains or whistles will be used during this time, plus two quiet rooms are available as calm spaces. Other dates include 11/15 and 12/20.
Mobile Gardening
Adaptive Recreation Mobile Gardening
When: Fridays 9-10 am
Cost: Free
Location: Mountain View Champions Park, 5915 SW 170th Ave. Beaverton, OR 97007
What it is: Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation offers Adaptive recreation mobile gardening, a free drop-in gardening program for people of all ages and abilities. At the garden plots at Mountain View Champions Park. See page 8 of their fall activities guide for more details.
Parks & Recreation Guides
Portland
Their fall registration guide notes that fall activities run September 29 through January 4, and registration begins September 11 at 9:30 am for classes starting in September, and October 9 at 9:30 am for classes starting in November and for winter break camps.
Drop-in classes include:
Wheelchair treadmill for ages 14 + at the fitness center at the East Portland Community Center
Sensory-friendly gym for children (and their adult) ages 2-5 at the St. Johns Community Center Tuesdays & Thursdays 9-11 am. Cost is $1 per child.
Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation
Adaptive and inclusive recreation activities fall guide for Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation is available now and includes a wide variety of activities. See pages 4-9 for drop in classes for teens and adults, as well as classes to register for, like dances, pumpkin decorating, sports, bingo night and more.
North Clackamas Parks & Recreation
Adaptive and Inclusive multi-sport program registration happening now until September 28 for a 6 week program starting October 12–Nov 16. Two programs for ages 8-14 and ages 14-25 at the Concord School property in Milwaukie. Registration for the A & I Multi-sport program costs $140 for residents and $175 for non-residents.
Plan ahead for future events
Buy tickets now!
When: November 30, 3 pm; February 1, 2 pm; March 29, 3 pm
Cost: Pay what you can, $5 minimum
Location: NW Children's Theater, 1000 SW Broadway Avenue T-100, Portland OR 97205
What it is: NW Children’s Theater provides sensory-friendly showtimes for upcoming performances of The Wizard of Oz, Sunday November 30 at 3 pm. Other upcoming shows include Pete the Cat on Sunday February 1, 2 pm showing, and Alice in Wonderland on Sunday March 29 at 3 pm. Sound and light levels will be adjusted and the audience capacity is reduced to allow for buffered seating.
Share your favorites!
Over the next few months, we will be providing inclusive activities throughout Oregon, as well as highlighting caregiver resources available in Oregon and nationwide. If you have favorite community activities for children and adults with disabilities, please share them with us so that we can help our Enable community of families. Send us a note at cen@enable.family.
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