The holiday season is right around the corner, meaning we must start preparing ways to make it fun and accessible for all. The best way to make it enjoyable for everyone is to ensure everyone who attends the holiday celebration is included!
Here are some helpful tips to implement in your faith community for holiday gatherings:
- Create a fragrance-free environment to ensure disabled people who have sensory issues can participate safely.
- Have ingredients listed on shared food so disabled people with food allergies can eat safely.
- Bring allergy-friendly food dishes to the gathering to include disabled people with food restrictions.
- Avoid using flashing lights or overly loud music for disabled people who experience migraines, seizures, or have other sensory needs and preferences.
- Designate a room or a low sensory space for individuals to utilize if they need to rest their body from chronic pain or a break from the overstimulation of a gathering.
- Wear a well-fitted, high-quality face mask to protect yourself and others who may be immunocompromised during indoor holiday gatherings.
- Avoid invading people’s personal space with hugs, close talking, or laying on of hands for prayer to help folks feel safe. Ask for consent first before engaging in any practice that involves someone’s personal space.
We here at RespectAbility wish you an accessible and happy holiday season. We hope these tips help bring your faith community even closer through your shared commitment to disability inclusion.
