Your Guide To Holiday Accessibility and Inclusivity
The holidays can be some of the busiest and overwhelming days of the year. From family gatherings, friend potlucks, and festive activities every weekend of the season, they can be exhausting and overstimulating for many people. Here are our top hacks for surviving the holidays for both people with disabilities and those without!
For people with disabilities, here are our top 5 hacks:
- Do what is best for you: be okay saying "no" to certain activities if you know they are too much or take breaks to allow yourself to refresh and no over do it.
- Remind you event hosts about your accommodations: if you know there is something extra you're going to need (quite place for breaks, lower seating, sighted guide, etc.), let them know well in advance so they can best accommodate you.
- Keep up your self-care routine: it can be easy to fall out of our routines and get caught up in the chaos, so remember to keep up your self-care activities whether it's going for walks, listening to music or reading your favourite book.
- Research additional supports: if you know this is a tough time for you, ensure you know what supports are in place (family, peer-support, food banks, counsellors, etc.) and how you can access them.
- Manage expectations: have conversations with yourself and those around you about plans and expectations for the holiday season. (how many events, how long to stay, gift ranges based on financial situations, when are things schedule for, etc.)
For those without disabilities, here are our top 5 things to keep in mind:
- Ask your guests in advance about there accommodations: while some people may speak up on their own, it can be hard to approach those you are close to about your holiday needs. This provides an open door to conversations and let's them know that you are open to accommodating.
- Offer a variety of plan options: while you may think one activity is super fun, it may not be accessible (or enjoyable) to everyone. Having a few options to choose from can allow friends of family with varying needs to pick something that suits their needs. (PS this doesn't mean they have to have the final say but it is great for starting a conversation).
- Don't make someone feel guilty for not being able to attend: some events just may not be feasible (especially for those with chronic illness). So, please respect our "no" and offer to make plans another time.
- Contribute to the big picture: consider supporting disability-oriented charities this holiday season (see our 12 Days of Giving on Instagram December 12-23) with monetary donations or volunteering. It can support long-term projects and programs that will better the lives of individuals living with disabilities.
- You may not understand: you cannot know what someone is thinking or feeling during this time and just because it is the holiday season doesn't mean our disabilities disappear and stop impacting our lives. Please be kind and patient with us.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and we wish you a safe, accessible, and inclusive holiday season where fun can be had by ALL.
Written by Emilee Schevers