With celebratory parades and fairs, festive red, white, and blue attire, and glittering fireworks displays, the Fourth of July is a time for a nationwide celebration of our country’s freedom. But ironically enough, some of these traditional modes of celebration can actually exclude individuals in our communities with disabilities. And can we really celebrate freedom for all when our celebrations overlook certain people in our country?
Luckily, there are ways to make our celebrations more inclusive for people of all abilities. Here are a few small but powerful adjustments to make your event to be more accessible:
Parades
Parades get busy and crowded. Accounting for those with disabilities is important to ensure that they have a positive and inclusive experience. Some simple measures to implement include:
- Making sure there are wide, stable pathways for wheelchair access,
- Posting signage to make it easier to navigate spaces
- Providing designated seating areas for wheelchair users
These can all make a big difference in the celebration for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. The ADA Planning Guide goes into even more detail on how to design your event with accessibility in mind.
Public Speeches
Public speeches can be difficult to hear for those with disabilities, whether they are hard of hearing, or can’t get close to the stage with a wheelchair or other mobility devices. For a more accessible venue, consider having sign language interpreters or closed captions. Asking people in your community for their feedback and specific needs are also great ways to be prepared for your event.
Fireworks
Fireworks can overstimulate those with sensory disabilities. If possible, using lower noise levels, muted visuals, providing noise cancelling headphones, offering designated viewing areas, and sharing when firework displays will occur on social media can be great ways to ensure the show is more accessible. Alternate light shows, like drone shows, are also a great option for accessibility-friendly Fourth of July celebrations.
There are many ways to ensure that Fourth of July festivities cater individuals of varying abilities.
For those planning community events, it’s important to understand how to make your events more accessible to create an inclusive atmosphere for all. Working together to make celebrations more accessible allows for individuals of all abilities to have the opportunity to participate in the celebration of their freedom.
Happy 4th of July to everyone!
