As the weather begins to cool and fall decorations abound, Floridians love to get out of the house and enjoy a reprieve from the relentless heat and humidity of summer. Fall festivals provide us with family-friendly activities we can all enjoy. As you start planning your weekends full of festivals, keeping a few specific considerations in mind can help parents of children with disabilities relax and enjoy the festivities, too.
Family-Friendly for YOUR Family
Let’s face it. Not all fall festivals are family-friendly for every family. For those of us who have children with disabilities, some fall festivals may not be accessible or may even provoke challenges. At the same time, we also have family members who want to see it all. So, what do we do? Start by considering the needs of each family member. Family members who need assistance or accommodations with mobility, sensory issues, proximity to health equipment and more may find some activities inappropriate or inaccessible. Family hayrides may not be appropriate for a child with significant physical needs. A haunted house may be overwhelming for a child with severe anxiety. Crowded festivals with music and lights may be overwhelming for some with sensory needs.
How Do I Know?
Learn as much as you can about the setting and activities before attending a fall festival with a child with a disability. Are there paved pathways? When will it be the least crowded? What accessibility measures have already been put in place? Many of our community fall festivals have been around for years, so ask others about their experiences. Feel free to contact the event organizers, too. There may be accommodations available that you’re not aware of.
Plan Ahead
As your family prepares to attend the festival, plan ahead. Planning ahead helps when you encounter inevitable accessibility challenges so you can all relax and enjoy your time together. Where will you be able to park? How long will you stay? What will you do if it gets crowded or loud or if you encounter accessibility problems? What special supplies do you need to bring with you?
The Rest of the Family
In an ideal world, everything would be accessible to everyone, and your entire family could participate in the fall festival without barriers. But we know there will be challenges, some due to accessibility and some due to individual needs, that will prevent some family members from enjoying certain aspects of a fall festival. If you have family members who enjoy hayrides, corn mazes and haunted houses that are not readily accessible to the entire family, then plan for those, too. Perhaps some family members can join one of those activities while others enjoy a tasty fall treat.
Enjoyable for All
Fall festivals offer us a unique opportunity each year to enjoy being outside, seeing arts and crafts and decorating pumpkins. As your family gears up for your annual fall favorites, plan ahead and ensure that you make fall festivals enjoyable for everyone.
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