[NFBMI-Talk] FW: Birdability Week starts a week from today!

Tue Oct 13 03:13:08 UTC 2026

From: Birdability <cat at birdability.ccsend.com> 
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2026 4:03 PM
To: donnabutterfly50 at gmail.com
Subject: Birdability Week starts a week from today!

Can't wait to have you join us

  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=2965c2ae-554b-4a7b-b1c2-3ec843f0d902&a=1139691927250&c=e9c34b52-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d&ch=e9c51036-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/4a7dd5b1-d03f-45d5-9777-80bc5da82862.png?rdr=true> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/70f5f544-bdf7-4b2b-bc8d-44165107f82a.png?rdr=true> 

Image description: Square Birdability Week 2026 graphic on a bright blue background with white, teal, light blue, and dark starburst shapes. The Birdability Week 2026 logo appears in the upper left. Large white text reads, “Help Us Spread the Birdability Week Word!” Four circular photos show disabled birders outdoors: a white person using a powered wheelchair on a wide wooded path; a smiling Black woman wearing glasses and a mustard-colored knit hat; a white person standing in the woods with a guide dog; and a group of birders gathered on a paved path, including people using wheelchairs and others using binoculars.

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRETDs7oSc_1Vwzxwrm1CyhQOgENmpWLTU7zUUYPaRTKYzyZ43CE8UUdV7bairVxh43SUD9ToKfYte05Pwt-WlpHiVtywDv6rdti0BbO35YsDx86T67g-aVskTI6SdmZ8-Q==&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Learn More and Register Here 

Dear Birdability Community,

Birdability Week starts one week from today, and I am so excited for everything this community has planned!

>From October 19–25, we'll gather across the country (and beyond!) in real life and online to celebrate disabled birders and birders with other health concerns, talk about access and belonging, and, of course, spend time with birds.

Our theme this year is Bird Where You Are, which invites each of us to bird in whatever way works for our bodies and minds.

Join us for Birdability Week virtual events:

We have a full week of free virtual programs planned, and registration is open now. We will have ASL interpretation and CART (live captioning) available for each event. 

We will be talking about self-care and collective care in birding, d/Deaf and hard of hearing birding, inclusive nature, intersectionality and access, energy-limiting conditions, traumatic brain injury, and more.

Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday, October 19 at 7 PM ET

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRKXqPrJxSOIffk51OXkVy2edY8krQRODnoBXzTqk7O2cR0y9Ljluvd7SbKKznYvnmTePloj9EXXKbcLI1frgYeuRtLX_LUi5TnDh7nscaiMHUsQpK2_q5d3nakljNjVHyh6DcVqV0q4pBH6cNtV2iYFbDonxxKSHPBek-AW95SUgf3NjEeRyDgIoAWrJReigLEq9ZyD78ZZk0oYkcclM2cg=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Finding Balance: Self-Care in Birding

Tuesday, October 20 at 7 PM ET

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRKXqPrJxSOIf3p3BjJ123KMLHCUGGjtCKzPvsE5keNZDKfGmHEDZwmsxT7uYxgakhMgEFYyulop-k7DcRSqCtALqmwcwf9RgIBf1yFVu52WzYfPXEOtN4F_t0eyeHUNKP1CPVej-QxqeQJYvwq5vc5bArArYTxaBP-Yd_3-ErvPh64DjXcA_rCPbQgCfwD26mWggk8fy_ljQnUo4xu1MJF0=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Birding While d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Wednesday, October 21 at 1 PM ET

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRKXqPrJxSOIfzsIyLLwEIL3u6xblWOnIGxAq3GNf1WS6u6cY5dSK1dCLRYErlobnSfGLMws5YzDFY8geSQwVJ3jHdq-F7jx6WPvyDWmZuIW_edC-M4QR82O8MqiSdOnJrNWQ_W7uvJwOxe1OJ-3wAquHq_Y5lMXU5OFcs463ytjiH1ab54R6DBicK6L3eCg3tpALz8dVquf9aZWplqyAvWU=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Inclusive Nature Panel

Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM ET

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRKXqPrJxSOIfmCggxbxXsjnN-ddIIua04qkQNNDP_WG-gBsSzaKIJW0mQgl9cRKuvn1x_R7F13qvft_2dtnfntFLTRAHLZdSQXzAVBiFD5bA07RDhyEqBFSaQXqk6bnKfJdscHa7CjXnlcrDYfwbtt5kuR3z5mycUXxrL9_b5DLXDnN-smdqtOhZnW5FJAIxec_0MvMftA9eLwO2JhkLXYw=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Birding at the Intersections

Friday, October 23 at 7 PM ET

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRKXqPrJxSOIfLLUP1xaze9od3F9f6f56wCGRbsZFTK__0DCBb1fq8E5BAC9V0PsNdiDo9ncto7DzBDgTGM0tcJpMMqObVH8lSsHp_75KjD2PwLmeyk3w6JPzRwP1IPT4MaVzct_PyDydVY8TNY7DTN9mZfY1vlwbuICd6wlF2UnfId9EGz-4gT9Qyq1l-xJ8Bn65Q5ChNszh1cHEeUvjsww=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Birding with Energy-Limiting Conditions

Saturday, October 24 at 4 PM ET

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRKXqPrJxSOIfRiyefqdb-gKhWbokxSCOiokBcihFyqA809jWk4GFaZkK4lyXEwlBTdqzboxK1o2gqWkljUAdxjT5D5YVEy5R0rF2Mb30rEs9dBI_sSgucfbzRu7oB4nOo0u_AESvFaNwgoYWcCuRDoa1XivjW4srvG01IIxvxWVqzWPJGJlCjeH_kll8IQbnz9oxY_GM7PcgQDjE_bNrIwk=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Birds and Brains: Birding with Traumatic Brain Injury

And on Sunday, October 25 at 4 PM ET, we will gather for our Birdability Week  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRKXqPrJxSOIfxhDXgCt1sryrftHHqS93XxDcGts4d3PGJZLY8gvkyZhTd_nDp-VXqFnxoaEompkhfxX3dclWtKJ02IhUyFmfFmuyitO0bDxw1EsozrsLjWG3OkSptjr867ylhFv5EMKOWic4toJi4bStb-Ft2WOjfTTvJPu5jwD0GPjfNt1RslaT17rc4P43TSCHJNqRyM7N9gj9eIjGf5U=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Closing Social and announce the winners of our 2026 Offbeat Photo & Video Contest.

Come virtual birding with us:

Every day during Birdability Week, we will also be going live on Instagram at 10 AM ET for some very informal virtual birding.

Our hosts will take us along to the places where they bird, share what birds are around, and talk about the access features of their chosen locations.

This year’s virtual birding includes mindfulness, backyard birding, Central Park, birding with ASL, our friends at EveryBody Birding Club, the Spark Bird Project, and more.

Follow @Birdability on Instagram and join us each morning.

Find an accessible outing near you:

One of my favorite parts of Birdability Week is seeing what local communities create.

This year there are accessible and inclusive Birdability Week events across the country, with an incredible range of ways to participate.

There are bird sits, paved trail walks, slow birding outings, programs for blind and low-vision birders, events with ASL interpretation, stationary birding, wheelchair-centered outings, and gatherings with rehabilitation and community partners.

A few examples include:

*    Birding for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Beecher, Illinois

An outing designed specifically with blind and low-vision birders in mind, centering nonvisual birding, clear communication, and an accessible experience in the field.

*    A guided bird walk with ASL interpretation in Rockville, Maryland

An opportunity for d/Deaf and hard of hearing birders to participate in a guided outing with ASL interpretation built into the experience.

*    Birding with Friends of Aphasia in Tucson, Arizona

An accessible birding gathering created in partnership with Friends of Aphasia Tucson, showing what can happen when birding programs are built through relationships with disability communities.

*    Steal Their Look: A Birdy Fashion Show in Rockville, Maryland

One of the most playful events of the week. Participants are invited to use everyday clothing and accessories to recreate a bird’s look and take to an accessible runway.

*    Stationary Birding with Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia

A Birdability outing with Shepherd Center that centers stationary birding, creating space to enjoy birds without needing to cover distance on a trail and centering folks living with spinal cord injuries.

*    A Biosphere 2 Bird Sit in Oracle, Arizona

A chance to settle into one place, notice what is nearby, and let the birds come to you. A great example of how a birding experience does not have to involve hiking or traveling far.

*    Birds & Bats & Beavers Pontoon Boat Cruise in Boyds, Maryland

Birdability Week takes to the water for an accessible sunset pontoon cruise featuring birds, beaver signs, and even a bat detector as evening falls.

*    All About Birds & Birders: Birdability Week Edition in Fishers, Indiana

Conner Prairie Museum is offering hands-on activities that invite people to learn, create, play, and connect with the people and organizations working to make birds and nature more accessible.

And there are many, many more for you to explore on the  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRETDs7oSc_1Vwzxwrm1CyhQOgENmpWLTU7zUUYPaRTKYzyZ43CE8UUdV7bairVxh43SUD9ToKfYte05Pwt-WlpHiVtywDv6rdti0BbO35YsDx86T67g-aVt1LZOXA_agVg==&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Birdability Week Events Map!

Bird(ability) Your Way:

Maybe there is not an outing near you this year, or leaving home is not accessible right now or maybe your energy, pain, health, transportation, or schedule means your plans need to stay flexible. We get it and you are still part of Birdability Week!

During Bird(ability) Your Way Weekend, October 23–25, we especially invite you to bird however works for you and then share what you observe and how you birded via social media (@birdability across the platforms) or email us at info at birdability.org <mailto:info at birdability.org>  so we can uplift ALL the ways that our community birds. 

Help us spread the Birdability Week word:

We have also created a  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRPM5J8EumGJA3ipiY9Vg2yokX2vZSi6jaRDp7Bf0Y6k-QlGyaDh6eoZhunvrGFp-tb3lWnda0Q74Jgsz-uxrlYCXkSrxIwn8LMgNUMyprJkfeaxo0lu6s-mhbGr5SgOU-phGRb6749Id8mKr84lGUsokVW-2sUUbKlkOulb5seX6&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> Birdability Week 2026 Social Media Toolkit to make it easier to help spread the word that includes ready-to-use language, ideas for posts, key messages, and ways to invite your community to take part, whether they are joining an outing, birding from home, or participating virtually.

Please feel free to use it as-is, adapt it for your own community, and share it with bird clubs, parks, organizations, partners, friends, and anyone else who can help us reach more people.

Every share helps more disabled birders and birders with other health concerns find us and also know that there is a place for them in the birding community.

Download the Birdability Week Social Media Toolkit here and shout access and inclusion from the rooftops!

Thank you to our Birdability Week sponsors: 

And finally, I want to say a huge thank you to the organizations, businesses, birding groups, and community partners helping make Birdability Week possible.

Their support helps us offer free virtual programming, accessible outings, resources, community-building, and many different ways for people to participate.

Belted Kingfisher Level Sponsor:

Utah State University, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services, Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice

Northern Cardinal Level Sponsors:

Bird Collective

Birds of Houston

Vortex Optics

Eastern Bluebird Level Sponsors:

Aiken Audubon

American Birding Association

Denver Audubon

Fort Worth Audubon Society

Gray's Harbor Audubon 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Level Sponsors:

Birding by Ear and Beyond

Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Buteo Books

Collage Home & Community Rehabilitation Partners

Cotton Carrier

Greensprings (GS) Birders

New Hampshire Audubon

Presque Isle Audubon

Texas Ornithological Society

The Village at the Triangle

Tucson Bird Alliance

2026 Organizational Sponsors:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop

I am deeply grateful to every sponsor, host, presenter, Captain, partner, volunteer, and community member who is making this week happen.

Most of all, I am grateful that we get to spend another Birdability Week reminding one another that birding can be flexible, creative, joyful, communal, quiet, messy, close to home, and completely our own or shared with a whole community of others advocating for access and inclusion!

I hope you will join us in whatever way works for you.

In community,

Cat

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRAtn2K2Gtuyt6hJv-7TSZMKjzAfWxARhE33oBQ_ZdCVzAZOJhpbHFpWfV_rYfLn9MvcbiC9fI_2LVpiSpIt1VOpAtAS4aZtAt-p7nmpn2Y0y&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/3dc91a02-d15a-4f0f-89be-2447e3b7d456.png?rdr=true> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/3a1ef8df-f883-4933-98ab-9df3b744ef27.png?rdr=true> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/8027bb8e-5e59-4d6b-a1c5-b3696fdb91a8.png?rdr=true> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/0f5c6eac-bfb7-456c-98cf-9c16d0939407.png?rdr=true> 

Image Description: The logos of each of the Sponsors listed n the body of the email newsletter above

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRJUP_BQbieSQ0iXoU54DLNLCtYw1mTmOoyC6DF3nfdQjMef124aJFsyOooy1eYllGmDPrkCRE6GP61rThRcdY1LAuGuXmWcZHJYiPa7_1fUTUjuXB77EpLc=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==>   <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRF3usJBrMlbdxU6RA_Eb8Ajg1qDZtjd3NsC95cTG9-5J33A0y5CC_Lqw00WaBtLJlb4N0IewpNN6k92c6bNHArUYgcywgUE5_hU-Mj9UgKjhvw775Frjr2E=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==>    <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QGi1ohyCAvTPFynM09vA6m409IF7ND1TCM_Jixc2VoBs-qVOYlwmRF3usJBrMlbdbfDWo2gO8VosrqmAjzlVeJpJzIFdFd0iFKOxgWmOd4ycc_qdo2NZB4-T4_1FDQvURvdC6HY-d9DvOZLYEBJZvunAdsYyksEAHkhAxiiTN6g=&c=RskSZWozDS7f47I8NNGeNo3XPLBUf2n6cn6UZVJiaBU8XbeTuQGf1Q==&ch=2ZvpFcYLHZUzIwfXn5KlF4S6ByMu-EC-xCoZPmwfuyT574QUD6lzbA==>  

  <https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif> 

Birdability | 539 West Commerce Street #2425 | Dallas, TX 75208 US

Unsubscribe <https://audience.constantcontact.com/preferences/unsubscribe?m=001dt85rp1Q9F0bhxGyu068PQ==&c=e9c34b52-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d&ca=2965c2ae-554b-4a7b-b1c2-3ec843f0d902>  | Update Profile <https://audience.constantcontact.com/preferences/update/init?ch=e9c51036-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d&c=e9c34b52-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d&t=001ZTmhoc0XpS0NFCY6kyCZqg==&m=001dt85rp1Q9F0bhxGyu068PQ==&ca=2965c2ae-554b-4a7b-b1c2-3ec843f0d902>  | Constant Contact Data Notice <https://www.constantcontact.com/legal/customer-contact-data-notice>  

 <https://www.constantcontact.com/landing1/vr/home?cc=nge&utm_campaign=nge&rmc=VF21_CPE&utm_medium=VF21_CPE&utm_source=viral&pn=techsoupnonprofit&nav=2965c2ae-554b-4a7b-b1c2-3ec843f0d902> 