Opening Reception - Unspoken Resilience: Healing from the Lewiston Shooting Two Years In
2025-09-25 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | UNE Art Gallery – Portland, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME, 04103, United States
Unspoken Resilience celebrates Maine’s Deaf community through a group exhibition of work by Deaf artists and craftspeople, in conversation with Michael Kolster’s recent series of color photographs of Lewiston. The exhibit foregrounds American Sign Language and issues of communication access, and recognizes ASL interpreters, who offer a linguistic and social bridge between the distinct cultures of Deaf individuals who use ASL and people who cannot sign. Co-curated with Michelle Ames and Meryl Troop, the show is a site of both remembrance and creative action.
Maine’s Deaf community is vibrant and bright, and was disproportionately impacted by the mass shooting in Lewiston on October 25th, 2023, which left 18 people dead and 13 injured. One of the deadliest mass shootings in US history, it is believed to be the only example in the country to impact the Deaf community so severely; over 20% of the victims were Deaf. The tragedy claimed the lives of four Deaf community members; wounded two; and traumatized many more, as in-person ASL interpretation services were withheld by authorities at hospitals and other official settings during the unfolding event. Unspoken Resilience offers a place of healing, recognition, and learning, both centering the enduring creativity of the Deaf community in the group of artworks curated by Ames and Troop, and uplifting Lewiston in Kolster’s sensitive, luminous cityscapes.
Reception is free, open to the public, and will be accompanied by two ASL interpreters.
Exhibit runs through February 7, 2026

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) Workshop - Houlton
2025-09-29 10:00 - 14:00 | Houlton DHHS, 11 High Street, Houlton, 04730, United States
Visual-Gestural Communication (VGC) is useful to many people who need an alternative technique for expressing and understanding the wants and needs of other people in their environment. VGC is a communication mode that uses gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Often individuals, who cannot communicate effectively using either a spoken language like English or a formal signed language like ASL, will be able to communicate more effectively using natural gestures. In our classes, we help you to think visually and conceptually, and to use Visual-Gestural Communication to communicate more effectively with people who have limited formal language.
Register today!

Question 1 - Informational Session
2025-10-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join DRM to learn about Question 1 and how it will impact Maine voters with disabilities. Register today!
ASL and CART will be provided.
Questions? Contact Molly Thompson at mthompson@drme.org.

Public Forum - Standing up for the Rule of Law: How do we save it?
2025-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Hannaford Hall, (88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME), 88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME, United States
Maine Lawyers for the Rule of Law is pleased to announce a public forum on Standing up for the Rule of Law: How do we save it? on Tuesday, October 14 at Hannaford Hall in Portland at 7:00 pm. Free parking available in the garage.
The program will feature a keynote address by Noah Feldman, Frankfurter Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, on the concept of the Rule of Law, and what we lawyers, judges, and all Mainers can and must do to defend and strengthen it.
Also included will be a panel discussion featuring: Aaron Frey, Maine Attorney General; Carol Garvan, Legal Director of the Maine ACLU; and Susan Faunce, President of the Maine State Bar Association, followed by questions and comments from the audience.
The event will be free of charge, but please consider a generous donation.

Webinar: Disability Rights Maine Employment Advocacy
2025-10-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
This year marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. To celebrate, Disability Rights Maine is putting on a series of webinars to share employment resources with people with disabilities and our allies around the state. These webinars include resources about employment rights, information on how to make VR work for you, and how to access accommodations after high school.
Register for one or more webinars to celebrate with us and learn more about your rights!
Webinar 1 – October 15: DRM Employment Advocacy
During this webinar, DRM advocates will share information about employment rights, including asking for accommodations at work, employment laws and rules, and navigating potential employment discrimination. It also shares tips and tracks for how people with disabilities can use advocacy in their workplace.
Webinar 2 – October 22: Making VR Work for Me
This presentation will share resources that you could use to find or maintain work. We provide an overview of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, explain the rights that people with disabilities have when working with VR, and share potential advocacy strategies that you can use in accessing VR services.
Webinar 3 – October 29: Accommodations After High School
Asking for an accommodation in high school can be different than asking for an accommodation in college, trade school or other continuing education settings. This presentation explains the process and potential advocacy strategies you could use to ask for an accommodation as you continue your education.
Questions? Contact Katrina Ringrose at kringrose@drme.org.

Webinar: Making VR Work for Me
2025-10-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) Workshop - South Portland
2025-10-27 09:00 - 12:00 | South Portland DHHS, 151 Jetport Boulevard, South Portland, ME, 04102, United States

PSG Health Self-Advocacy Training
2025-10-29 10:00 - 11:00 | 8 Science Park Rd, Scarborough, ME, 8 Science Park Rd, Scarborough, 04074, United States
The Peer Support Group will be gathering on October 29th from 10-11am!
Location: 8 Science Park Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
Peer Support Group (PSG) is a monthly gathering for adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities who use signs and gestures to communicate.
On October 29th, we’ll have a special training on Health Self-Advocacy. Health is important to everyone. Taking care of your health looks different for each of us. Health self-advocacy allows you to take control of your health the way YOU want. This presentation will provide helpful tips to advocate for your health in medical settings. For example, how to ask your doctor questions, how to ask for interpreters, and more.
For more info, contact Michelle Ames mames@drme.org or VP 207-805-7024.

Webinar: Accommodations After High School
2025-10-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom

Disability Rights Club - One You...Endless Possibility
2025-10-30 16:30 - 17:45 | Zoom
Are you between 13-22?
Like getting together with other folks interested in disability rights?
Join the DRM Disability Rights Club.
The October topic is: One You…Endless Possibility
Register today!

Disability Rights Club - Let's Talk IEP Meetings
2025-11-20 16:30 - 17:45 | Zoom
Are you between 13-22?
Like getting together with other folks interested in disability rights?
Join the DRM Disability Rights Club.
The November topic is: Let’s Talk IEP Meetings
Register today!

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) Workshop - Augusta
2025-11-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Augusta DHHS, 109 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME, 04330, United States

Deaf Rights Group - Lewiston
2025-12-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Maine Resiliency Center, 184 Main Street, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Deaf Rights Group is an open meeting for all to share information about the needs and accomplishments of the Maine Deaf Community. Celebrating 30 years, since 1995! Share community concerns, rights issues, needs and learn about resources. Come be part of the conversation! DRG serves as the Advisory Committee to the DRM board and helps to set priorities for DRM Deaf Services.
Questions? Contact Mames@drme.org or VP 207-805-7024.
Download the flyer (PDF)!

Disability Rights Club - You Have Rights as a Worker
2025-12-11 16:30 - 17:45 | Zoom
Are you between 13-22?
Like getting together with other folks interested in disability rights?
Join the DRM Disability Rights Club.
The December topic is: You Have Rights as a Worker
Register today!

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) Workshop - Lewiston
2025-12-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Lewiston DHHS, 200 Main Street, Lewiston, 04240, United States

Maine CDC Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Webinar
2026-02-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The transition from high school into the world of adulthood is a milestone for all young people. For young people with disabilities, this milestone also means a significant shift in how education and support services are provided. A transition plan should include the three domains of Education, Employment, and Independent Living.
Please join Maine Parent Federation presenters Dylan Campbell – Youth Coordinator and Parent Trainer and Allison Wiest – Family Support Navigator, for a webinar on transition planning during high school and beyond. This discussion is for behavioral health providers and parents and includes information about the federal and state laws related to transition planning and process, and Maine specific planning services.
This training will support parents and youth to navigate the transition years and provide tools for successful adult outcomes.
Webinar Date & Time
February 3, 2026, from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Registration Link
Webinar Registration – Zoom
For questions, please contact Kimberly Gosslin, MCH Coordinator.

Crafting Change
2026-02-17 16:30 - 17:30 | Zoom
A virtual space for young Mainers with disabilities (ages 13-22) to learn self-advocacy skills and a paper craft. Come for easy paper craft projects, stay for the chance to meet someone new!
Tuesday February 17th from 4:30-5:30pm on Zoom.
Email Kate at kturpen@drme.org to RSVP.

This project was funded by U.S. Department of Education under Grant Number H421E230028. For more information, contact Project Director Kate Turpen at Disability Rights Maine, kturpen@drme.org.

Maine CITE Webinar: Creating Accessible Documents - The Basics (Part 1)
2026-02-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Date: February 18, 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:00am ET
Program Description
Everyone benefits from content that is easy to use and understand.
Making a great document is more than just typing the correct words. To make sure your information can reach the largest number of people, the document needs to be accessible. This means it can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. Thinking about accessibility first is important for everyone—for individuals, for companies, and for our communities.
Presenter: Leilani Carlson, Maine CITE Director
Registration:
Please use this link for more information about this event and to register
Accommodation:
To request an accommodation for the webinar, please contact Maine CITE by February 11, 2026 at info@mainecite.org or call 207-621-3195.
All Maine CITE webinars are recorded and archived. If you cannot attend the live session, please make sure you register so you can get the link to the archive.
Questions, please contact Maine CITE at info@mainecite.org

Visual Gestural Communication Workshop
2026-02-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Sanford DHHS District Office, 890 Main Street, Suite 208, Sanford, ME, 04073, United States
Feb 23, 2026 in Sanford, ME from 9am-12pm
Visual-Gestural Communication (VGC) is useful to many people who need an alternative technique for expressing and understanding the wants and needs of other people in their environment. VGC is not a language like English, American Sign Language, or French. It is a communication mode that uses gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Often individuals, who cannot communicate effectively using either a spoken language like English or a formal signed language like ASL, will be able to communicate more effectively using natural gestures. In our classes, we help you to think visually and conceptually, and to use Visual-Gestural Communication to communicate more effectively with people who have limited formal language.
For more information and to register, please go to https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/setu/forms/class-details.shtml?13334852

Maine Parent Federation: Ask Us Anything Live Q&A
2026-02-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Tues, February 24th at noon
A general forum to ask Maine Parent Federation… well… anything! Join alongside MPF staff, community members, and Maine families to meet us and have your questions heard. We will have the option of one-to-one breakout rooms for more private questions and personal preferences.
Please register with the link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucOCqqzsuE9QllHV5ECWAZKty01TqHUhZ

Maine Parent Federation: Voices Rising
2026-02-24 16:00 - 17:00 | ME
Virtual Group starting Tues, February 24th at 4:00PM
Maine Parent Federation is excited to offer another Voices Rising series led by Alyssa Mathieu. This spring, they’ll be working alongside youth and young adults ages 14–26 to explore strategies and best practices for navigating adulthood.
From February through June (2026), participants will engage with Empower the Learner (ETL)—a digital profile designed to help youth and young adults share their story, identify strengths, and reflect on their goals for adulthood. Built in Canva, ETL provides a creative and accessible template that allows participants to create a profile about themselves, in their own voice and style.
Any questions contact: dcampbell@mpf.org
For more information and to register: https://www.mpf.org/voices-rising/

Maine Parent Federation: Support Group for Families of Children with Complex Medical Needs
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Thurs, February 26th at noon
Maine Parent Federation invites parents and caregivers of children with complex medical needs to join their virtual support group. We encourage you to share this support group opportunity with other families that may need the support.
This support group will provide parents and caregivers the opportunity to connect, find solidarity, give and receive empathy, share resources and provide encouragement to others who share common life experiences of medical caregiving. This group provides a confidential and safe space to share experiences related to the journey of caring for a child with complex medical needs.
Contact Allison Wiest, awiest@mpf.org for more information.
Register with the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsfuuvqTkjHNatBR6x8J5To72AaPmyqMFT

Sexual Health Peer Educator Training
2026-03-03 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom
A paid virtual training series built to empower young adults with developmental disabilities (ages 16+) to become peer educators. Learn how to lead conversations about healthy relationships, consent, body rights and what it means to be a peer educator.

Trainings will occur VIRTUALLY on:

March 3, 4-6pm – Healthy Relationships and Consent
March 10, 4-6pm – Differences of Love and Friendship and Body Rights
March 17, 4-6pm – Pathway to Help and Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation
March 24, 4-6pm – Reproductive Body Parts and Body Changes
March 31, 4-6pm – Outcomes of Sexual Intercourse and Safe Sex Methods
April 7, 4-5:30 – Debrief from Virtual Sessions

Facilitator Training will be IN PERSON in April 2026
Link to registration form: https://forms.gle/jKKs9c4Zgsocg6FG9
Email Kate at kturpen@drme.org if you have questions.

Lunch & Learn: Resources to work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Virtual: Join us on ZOOM.
Date & Time: First Wednesday of the month from March 2026-June 2026,12pm-1pm.
Questions & Registration: Email Sitara Sheik, VR Counselor, at Sitara.N.Sheikh@maine.gov or Sazza Carter, Case Manager, at Sazza.Carter@mainehealth.org
ASL interpreters provided.
Presented by the Maine Department of Labor, MaineHealth, and Disability Rights Maine.

Alpha One Webinar
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Alpha One, Maine’s Center for Independent Living (CIL), empowers individuals with disabilities to live independently and take control over their lives and environments. Alpha One advocates that all people with a disability have a right to self-determination and dignity, to contribute and participate in their community, and to achieve their full individual potential with equal access to all aspects of Maine life. Services and programs include Adaptive Driving Evaluations, scholarships for continuing education, peer support services, and Youth Transition programs in participating schools. To this end, Alpha One provides Independent Living services and programs Statewide in all 16 counties. Join Katie George to learn more!
Register below and contact Dylan, dcampbell@mpf.org for more information.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eZI2vj3XQ22Gz8HbFgUBvQ

ASL Tax Day
2026-03-07 | United Way of Southern Maine, 550 Forest Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, ME, 04103, United States
Join DRM Deaf Services and United Way of Southern Maine for ASL Tax Day on March 7, 2026.
CA$H Greater Portland is once again working with DRM Deaf Services to hold ASL Tax Day. ASL Tax Day offers free tax preparation services and financial education. ASL Tax Day will be March 7th at the UW office in Portland. Snow date is March 14.

Contact Tommy Minch with questions or to RSVP at tminch@drme.org or 207-805-7027.

Maine Parent Federation In-Person Family Support Navigator Training
2026-03-09 09:00 - 14:30 | Cohen Community Center, 22 Town Farm Rd, Hallowell, ME, 04347, United States
Cohen Community Center, Hallowell, ME
Monday March 9, 2026
Are you the parent of, or caregiver to, a child with a disability or special health care need?
Would you like to share your knowledge and provide peer-to-peer support to other Maine families?
If so, this in person training opportunity may be for you!
Maine Parent Federation (MPF) is seeking parents, grandparents, and caregivers to children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who would like to attend this training to become a Family Support Navigator (FSN) and provide peer support to other Maine families. The FSN program matches experienced parents with other parents who need support while learning to navigate systems such as Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, MaineCare, Adult Services, etc., and assists them in locating local and statewide resources while helping parents learn to advocate for themselves.
During the Pandemic all support was provided through phone, text, email, and social media platforms such as Zoom. Now that restrictions are easing if both parent and Navigator agree, meetings can be held in-person.
A Family Support Navigator is a part-time independent consultant position. MPF contracts with you to provide up to 10 hours of support to each family you help. We pay $15.00 per hour for direct support to a family, provide a $40 monthly stipend for phone/internet when actively working with families, and .46 cents per mile travel reimbursement. This is a flexible opportunity where you set your own hours/schedule. MPF provides on-going supervision and technical assistance.
This in-person training will be held on Monday, March 9th from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. There will be five other pre-recorded segments to the training that you can complete at your convenience.
Once you have completed the training we will provide you with a $150 stipend.
Please contact Anne Bourque at (800) 870-7746 or email: abourque@mpf.org to receive the application and job description and/or to answer any questions.

2026 Justice for Women Lecture
2026-03-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Hannaford Hall, (88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME), 88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME, United States
The Power of Community:
Healthcare Solutions from Uganda, East Africa
Join the University of Maine School of Law for the 2026 Justice for Women Lecture featuring Dr. Jane Anyango, a globally recognized leader in nursing education, intimate partner violence, and community health.
Dr. Anyango will share her experience harnessing the power of community to deliver healthcare in under-resourced rural areas. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, she will discuss her work with the Batwa people and the role of community-based nursing in addressing medical and psychosocial needs within rural communities.
Event Information:
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Program Schedule:

5:30 p.m. – Doors Open/Reception
6:30 p.m. – Lecture Begins
8:00 p.m. – Event Concludes

For more information and to register for this event, please go to the Maine Law Website.
