Tips for Hosting a Disability Inclusive Holiday Party

The holiday season is often a time when family and friends come together, indulging in delicious food and sharing conversations and fun activities. For those with disabilities, fully enjoying these festivities can sometimes be challenging. Luckily, if you're planning to host a holiday gathering, there are simple ways to ensure everyone feels welcome and included. 

How Can I Make My Holiday Gathering Inclusive for All Guests? 

When planning a holiday gathering, it's important to first consider who is attending. Are you hosting both adults and children? Do any guests have dietary restrictions or disabilities?

Once you've identified your guests' needs, look at the space where you'll be hosting the gathering and consider how it can be made more accessible. The concept of universal design can be particularly helpful here. For example, if your home isn't wheelchair accessible, you might consider adding a portable ramp. This can assist not only people using mobility aids but also those carrying heavier items like food or gifts.

Additionally, consider setting up a quiet space. This can be helpful for those with sensory sensitivities or families with young children who might need a private space for changing, feeding, or napping.

What Are Some Tips for Hosting Accessible Holiday Gatherings? 

When Hosting a holiday gathering:

• Send out invitations: Send virtual or printed invitations early during the busy holiday season. Include essential details like start and end time, themes, and any items guests should bring. This information is particularly helpful for guests with disabilities, such as autistic individuals, who often appreciate knowing the schedule and expectations in advance.
• Choose a location: Consider portable ramps for stairs and a designated quiet zone for breaks. If hosting at a disabled guest's home is more accessible, coordinate with others to provide support. Alternatively, select public venues like event spaces or restaurants. These spaces are required to be ADA-compliant, which can reduce accessibility barriers and simplify setup and cleanup. 
• Dining: Provide plastic straws for easier drinking and sectioned plates for those who prefer foods to be separated. Offer dietary-friendly alternatives and encourage guests to bring dishes that meet their dietary needs. 
• Gift Giving: Use gift bags with tissue paper to simplify gift opening for guests with disabilities. For gifts wrapped in paper, incorporate a ribbon pull tab by wrapping a ribbon around the gift before the paper, leaving a portion of ribbon exposed to assist those with dexterity challenges. Consider textured paper for guests who are blind and bright colors for those with visual impairments. Additionally, guests with developmental disabilities like autism may become overstimulated. Keeping gifts unwrapped can reduce sensory overload.
• Entertainment: Offer activities like cookie decorating or pumpkin carving, providing help to those who need it. Less physically demanding options like holiday trivia or watching a festive movie can allow all to participate regardless of disability.

What Are Some Ideas for Accessible Holiday Decorations? 

When hosting an inclusive holiday gathering, most decorations won't need major adjustments for accessibility, but a few thoughtful considerations can enhance comfort for guests with disabilities:  

• Stair Railings: If you're hosting a Christmas party, keeping garland off stair railings can be helpful to those who rely on them for support.  
• Lighting: Setting decorative lights to a solid color or unplugging them can be helpful to those with sensory disabilities or photosensitive epilepsy.  
• Noise and Movement: Decorations that make noise or move can appeal to guests who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. However, if these decorations are consistently active, consider unplugging or removing them. Intermittent noise or movement, such as from a button-activated decoration, may not be an issue.  

Although this example focuses on Christmas, these considerations are applicable to other holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine's Day, and other holidays throughout the year. 

Gifts for a Person with a Disability 

When preparing for a holiday gift exchange, consider items that guests with disabilities will appreciate. While gifts don't have to be disability related, thoughtful choices can be meaningful. For example, fuzzy socks or a heated blanket can be great for someone who struggles with temperature regulation due to a disability, and stylish shoes can be ideal for those who wear leg braces. If you're unsure, consider gifts related to a hobby, collection, or favorite TV show or movie to ensure your gift is both personal and appreciated.

Being well-prepared for holiday celebrations is essential. This includes selecting thoughtful gifts for all recipients, preparing your home to be welcoming and accessible, and even ensuring your pets are comfortable around guests with disabilities. For more tips and ideas to make your next holiday gathering accessible, read the related articles below.