This holiday season, Cripple Magazine and the lovely Ur internet Friends zine have come together to help you celebrate the holidays in the most accessible way possible. Obviously, the best way to make your holidays the most accessible is to ask people their access needs, but we think the list we’ve put together is a great place to start.
- Consider celebrating virtually!
Zoom meetings make our bodies so much less of a factor in our ability to attend things because we can do them from whatever space in whatever position is most comfortable. Also, it keeps those of us whose disabilities compromise our immune systems extra safe.
It also saves us so much energy that we can use to participate socially that we don’t have to spend on logistically getting in and out of places. Also, consider automatic closed captioning for a virtual event.
2. Is the space accessible from a mobility standpoint?
a. Stairs? Little steps? Are there steps inside? One step can be a big step.
b. If you can, try to have the celebration in a location with no topographical barriers.
c. Don’t touch the person or their mobility aid/wheelchair without their consent or asking them first.
d. Make sure you have plenty of seating available!
e. Be flexible!
3. Ask people if they have dietary restrictions or allergies and try to accommodate them. This would also be a good time to check if people have any other sensory needs like sensitivity to flashing lights, music, or perfumes.
4. Share as much of the plans/logistics ahead of time. Who? What? When? Where? COVID Safety precautions.
It helps us prepare in whatever way we need to make sure we can celebrate with you.
5. When it comes to COVID, as a host, get as much information from your other guests as possible. This helps us assess the risk level and figure out if we can even participate.
6. Make sure there’s an accessible bathroom. Usually, we try to avoid going to the bathroom while we’re out.
a. Pick up any bath mats or any other ground impediments you might have! Wheelchairs and rugs are not friends.
b. Have odor eliminators available if possible! Also, just accept the realities of people having bodies. It’s a bathroom. It might not smell great. Even able-bodied people poop.
7. Be flexible and in tune with people’s needs, especially your disabled friends.
8. Create a space when you’re inviting someone in which they feel comfortable sharing their needs. If, for whatever reason, are unable to meet their needs, understand that they may not come, and their lack of attendance is not about not wanting to show up for you. It’s about making sure they can attend in a way that is safe and comfortable for them.
9 If movies or music are a part of the event, maybe share what they will be beforehand so that people who have triggers can plan accordingly.
10. If you’re wrapping gifts, opt for bags with tissue over wrapping paper. It can often be easier to unwrap from a dexterity standpoint. BONUS: you can save the bags and use them again! We love sustainability.
11. Maybe have a quiet space that people can step away from if the chaos of the event becomes overstimulating.
12. If funds are low, since many disabled people struggle financially, maybe set a price limit on gifts.
13. If you’re doing something with a dress theme, be chill with people who can’t dress according to theme or offer to help someone find something that fits the theme. It can be hard to find clothes that fit non-normative bodies for day to day wear, let alone a theme.
14. STRAWS. Look, we get it. You heard something about the turtles and have joined the war on straws. But, for many disabled people, straws are a really essential tool for being able to actually consume liquids. No, not the paper ones. Those suck, and not in the good way. If you’re really really anti-straws, remind people to bring their own straws when you invite them. Silicone straws?
15. Be conscious of the height of the tables.
16. Mood lighting can sometimes set the wrong mood for people with vision impairments (aka the mood of being unable to see). Be conscientious, and make sure any obstacles are visible.
Once again, the best way to make a celebration accessible is to ask your guests’ accessibility needs. Create a space when you’re inviting someone in which they feel comfortable sharing their needs. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to meet their needs, understand that they may not come, and their lack of attendance is not about not wanting to show up for you. It’s about making sure they can attend in a way that is safe and comfortable for them.
To read this in print, check out the Ur Internet Friends Zine Issue #003: 2020, But Make It Festive.
