{"id":22244,"date":"2024-12-24T10:43:25","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T10:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newlifecharity.co.uk\/?p=22244"},"modified":"2024-12-24T10:44:27","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T10:44:27","slug":"making-christmas-accessible-for-everyone-the-importance-of-inclusivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newlifecharity.co.uk\/making-christmas-accessible-for-everyone-the-importance-of-inclusivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Christmas accessible for everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Christmas Rosie Buckley<\/strong> gives us her thoughts on making your Christmas festivities fun for everyone, regardless of age or ability, as gatherings should make everyone feel included.<\/p>\n

Christmas is an exciting time of year for many people! However, for those with disabilities, inaccessibility can create challenges. Physical, sensory, or cognitive barriers can limit full participation. Inclusivity makes sure that everyone can celebrate in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n

Consider Elderly Guests<\/strong><\/p>\n

Make sure you include elderly guests<\/a> by providing comfortable and accessible seating. Many elderly people also have exciting life stories that they\u2019re often willing to share. Ask questions to your elderly loved ones about their past to learn more about them and who they are.<\/p>\n

Have Inclusive Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have any guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, learn some sign language. Even if it\u2019s just how to sign \u2018Merry Christmas\u2019 this can make someone smile. If you\u2019re brave enough, you could learn the chorus of a Christmas song in sign language. Don\u2019t worry about getting it wrong, it\u2019s worth a try!<\/p>\n

Think About Dietary Needs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Label ingredients and prepare alternative dishes for people with dietary restrictions. There\u2019s nothing worse for people with dietary needs than getting to a party and having nothing available to eat. Vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant and religious dietary requirements are all people you may need to accommodate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Create Flexible Spaces<\/strong><\/p>\n

Offer breaks and quiet locations for your guests. This is ideal for those with sensory issues or for people who get anxious. Having a place to go when things can get overwhelming can be really useful for some people. Video calls are another flexible thing you can try out with family. It\u2019s a good option for guests who can\u2019t go to Christmas events in person. Travelling isn\u2019t always an easy option for everyone.<\/p>\n

Rethinking Christmas Spaces:<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you make environments accessible, this can make a big difference to someone\u2019s Christmas.<\/p>\n

Make Wheelchair Accessibility a Priority<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re hiring a venue, make sure there\u2019s wheelchair access. Ramps, lifts, wide doorways and accessible toilets are useful for those with wheelchairs. It\u2019s also ideal to check if there\u2019s disabled parking on site. If you\u2019re hosting a party at home, rearrange the furniture to create clear pathways.<\/p>\n

Use Sensory Friendly Decorations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Avoid overwhelming sensory stimuli<\/a> like flashing lights. Loud sounds are also a trigger for may people. Think about using dimmable lights and soft colours. Quiet and calming music can also be more inclusive to those who experience hypersensitivity. Carpets are also useful for noise reduction. You could buy some festive carpets to add to your decorations.<\/p>\n

Put Up Clear Signage<\/strong><\/p>\n

Going to a venue and not knowing the way around can be tricky for anyone. To help visually impaired guests, use braille and readable fonts around the building.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Inclusive Christmas Traditions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Traditional festive activities can be adapted to suit people\u2019s needs:<\/p>\n

Carefully Choose Crafts\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using large materials and simple instructions can make crafting sessions less stressful for some people. Simple and easy colouring books are a good example. They can be exciting for children and are straightforward. Using a range of textures and materials is another thing you can do to make crafts more inclusive. Whilst helping people with crafts, make sure you\u2019re supportive and encouraging.<\/p>\n

Track Santa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meeting Santa is exciting, but can be challenging for those with sensory or mobility issues. There\u2019re many apps and websites<\/a> you can use to track Santa as he delivers presents on Christmas Eve. Online Santa meet and greets are also an alternative to meeting Santa in person.<\/p>\n

Go to Inclusive Performances<\/strong><\/p>\n

Watching performances at the theatre is exciting. For those with sensory issues however, it can come with challenges. Many places put on sensory friendly plays or performances. They\u2019ll have small differences like quieter sounds and lighting.<\/p>\n

Spreading Awareness\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start conversations about accessibility with friends and family. If more people are educated, then more changes can be made. If you have someone coming to your party who has a disability, ask if there\u2019s anything you can do to help. Learning from them can make everything a lot easier for you. It can also give you peace of mind to know that they feel happy and comfortable.<\/p>\n

Conclusion\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hopefully this article has given you some useful suggestions to take on board. Everyone deserves to feel welcomed at Christmas! Making small changes can create a huge difference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This Christmas Rosie Buckley gives us her thoughts on making your Christmas festivities fun for everyone, regardless of age or ability, as gatherings should make<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":22245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMaking Christmas accessible for everyone - newlifecharity<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Making Christmas accessible for everyone - the importance of inclusivity this festive season\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newlifecharity.co.uk\/making-christmas-accessible-for-everyone-the-importance-of-inclusivity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Making Christmas accessible for everyone - 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