10 Tips for Hosting an Accessible Holiday Gathering
By: Katie Carr
As the winter holiday season approaches, folx are gathering with family and friends. As you do so, don’t forget to be intentional about making your event accessible to everyone!
When you create intentionally accessible gatherings using Universal Design, everyone benefits! For example, some disabled people may benefit from a designated sensory space, but many nondisabled people do too. A child that needs a nap, a person taking an important phone call, or a new parent that needs to breastfeed all benefit from a quiet and relaxing space that is not crowded.
We’ve created a starter list of tips for your next event below. While these suggestions are catered to the holidays, these tips can be applied to create inclusive and accessible gatherings all year long.
Offer Supports
In your invitation, ask your guests if there are any accommodations, supports, or things you can do that will improve their experience. This not only gives people the space to advocate for themselves, but promotes a culture of inclusivity and accessibility, while decreasing the stigma around supports and accommodations.Set Expectations and Schedules
When inviting your guests to your get-together, it can be helpful to include a tentative schedule of events that will take place so that guests feel prepared for the gathering and know what to expect. Then display this schedule or print it out for guests to grab so they can reference it. You can also share reminders with your guests throughout the event, like “In ten minutes we will sit down in the living room to open gifts.”Create a Sensory Space
You can create a sensory space in a room that is not actively being used for the celebration, such as a bedroom or office. Sensory spaces are areas where guests can go to take a break from the typical hustle and bustle of a holiday gathering. No one should feel as though they have to remove themselves from a group setting because we should be accepting of all ways of being and make all of our spaces accessible. However, there are many instances where people may want or need to take a break in a separate space. To make this space comfortable use low lighting, keep it quiet, and provide items like pillows, blankets, fidget toys, or books and magazines. Additionally, make sure to let your guests know where this designated space is when you welcome them into your home or in your invitation.Adjust your Physical Space
Make sure that your home or other gathering space is as physically accessible as possible to everyone attending. Depending on the needs of those attending, this could mean renting a ramp for front door steps, having step stools strategically available, or rearranging furniture so that people can navigate your space safely. Make sure that everyone is able to reach the table tops that hold food, activities, or gifts. You may also offer tours or display signs so everyone knows where the important spots are, like bathrooms, gathering areas, and the sensory space.Provide a Remote Option
Whether it is due to a disability, distance, sickness, or not being able to travel, it’s common for people to be left out if they cannot attend a gathering in person. Having a remote video chat option, like Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype gives guests the chance to connect with folks that were not able to make it, making them feel included and valued! You can even mail or drop off a package with items beforehand so they can participate in the festivities at home. This package can include food, decorations, or supplies for activities such as decorating cookies or completing a craft project.Respect and Engage with all Forms of Communication
People communicate in a multitude of ways, all of which are valid and should be respected! Give guests your attention and time to communicate in whatever ways work best for them. When planning your gathering, ask if there are any supports that you can offer your guests such as notepads, communication boards, or choice boards. For holiday themed visual supports, choice boards, communication boards, and Sign Language phrases check out last year’s Inclusive Holiday Gathering blog post!Plan Your Meal
Holiday meals are known for bringing loved ones together. However, it is important to be mindful that not all folks are able to eat everything on the table. When you ask folx about their needs before an event, it’s important to remember dietary restrictions and preferences. One simple thing you can do to make your meal more accessible is label foods with names and ingredients so people are aware of the contents. There are numerous reasons why guests may bring their own food or nutrition. No matter the reason, make a space in your kitchen for people to bring their own meals and supplies so they can enjoy the event in the way that works best for them.Wrap Your Gifts
Opening gifts is always an exciting part of a holiday party! Ripping open a present to unveil a surprise is an experience that many people enjoy. Consider using the rip cord method of wrapping gifts (which unwraps a present with one tug of a cord) so more guests can engage in this excitement. Watch this video from TechOwl PA to learn how to wrap a gift like this. You can also explore other options like using gift bags or decorative boxes where the lid just needs to be removed. Another option is to wrap each person's gift in a designated color or pattern. You can also use glue to create tactile words or designs to help guests distinguish their gifts from other people’s.Be Mindful of Sensory Input
The holiday season often comes with a lot of decorations, music, foods, and scents. Experiencing too much, or a certain sensory input can be very overwhelming. For example, flashing string lights or strobe lights can cause visual overwhelm, distraction, induce headaches, and can even trigger seizures, and should be avoided. Also keep the background noise in the room to a minimum. This can help guests follow conversations better and prevent folks from becoming overstimulated. You can also ask guests to lower their voices or talk one at a time as well. Lastly, use classic, faint scents if you want to light a candle or use a wax melter during your gathering. As tempting as it is to light a pine tree or gingerbread cookie scented candle during the holiday season, wait until your guests have left to do so since they can be bothersome to some.Protect the Health of Your Guests
COVID-19 continues to be a huge risk to all people, and even more so, the elderly and immunocompromised. Influenza and RSV are also on the rampage this season, creating a triple pandemic. Protect your guests by encouraging them to wear masks, get vaccinated, test before coming, and only attend if they are not ill. If they aren’t feeling well, or aren’t comfortable attending in person, encourage them to attend virtually! Additionally, respect other guests' choices about physical contact and personal space.
For more tips and resources check out The Nora Project’s blogs about Making Inclusive Spaces.
About the Author: Katie Carr (she/her/hers) is a neurodivergent woman with a passion for accessibility and utilizing online spaces for advocacy. She joined TNP as the Communications Manager after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Public and Professional Writing.
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