The Joy—and Challenge—of Inclusive Holidays
At Joey’s Journeys, we believe in creating accessible holiday traditions that bring joy to every family. As the Executive Director and a parent to a child with disabilities, I’ve experienced the magic—and the challenges—that the holiday season can bring.
“The holidays are for everyone—but they’re not always made for everyone.”
At Joey’s Journeys, our mission is to ensure every journey—including seasonal celebrations—is welcoming, inclusive, and filled with joy.
Why Accessible Holiday Traditions Matter
From crowded light shows to loud music and long lines, many popular holiday experiences can be overwhelming or inaccessible to individuals with sensory, mobility, or cognitive challenges.
The CDC emphasizes that disability inclusion is essential in all areas of community life—including celebrations. Organizations like Easterseals offer guidance for creating sensory-friendly environments that bring everyone into the holiday spirit.
7 Inclusive Holiday Traditions for All Abilities
Making the holidays inclusive doesn’t mean compromising on joy. It simply means designing traditions that welcome everyone.
1. Sensory-Friendly Light Displays
Skip the crowds by choosing drive-through events.
Example: ZooLights Sensory-Friendly Night at Lincoln Park Zoo offers quiet, timed experiences ideal for neurodiverse guests.
2. Adaptive Baking Traditions
Cooking together builds memories—but it should be accessible too.
Use adaptive tools and no-bake recipes from Accessible Chef to include children with fine motor challenges.
3. Inclusive Holiday Storytime
Representation matters. Choose books with characters of all abilities.
Try The Night Before Christmas: A Sensory Adaptation, which includes visual supports and tactile elements.
4. Virtual Gatherings with Captions & ASL
If you’re connecting remotely, enable Zoom’s accessibility features like captions and pinning ASL interpreters.
Explore: Zoom Accessibility Features
5. Craft Kits for All Abilities
Holiday crafts are fun—but instructions should be clear and inclusive.
Check out Lakeshore Learning’s differently-abled kits designed for various motor and cognitive needs.
6. Inclusive Music Playlists
Create calm and joyful moments with sensory-friendly music.
Try the Calm Christmas playlist on Spotify for lyric-free, soothing tunes.
7. Adaptive Outdoor Fun
Whether it’s accessible sledding or wheelchair-friendly caroling, outdoor traditions can be modified.
Learn more from the National Ability Center, which offers guidance on adaptive recreation.
Partnering with Inclusive Organizations
You don’t have to do it alone. These organizations offer incredible resources:
- The Arc – Holiday Inclusion Toolkit.
- Friendship Circle – Resources for families.
- NFB – Holiday Gift Guide for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Inclusive Travel During the Holidays
Travel can be stressful—but with planning, it can be magical.
Visit our Travel Tips page for checklists, destination ideas, and preparation strategies.
Share the Joy: Support Joey’s Journeys
Every donation helps create inclusive adventures—during the holidays and beyond.
Ways to support us:
- Donate
- Share this blog post to raise awareness
- Connect us with inclusive venues and event organizers
- Join Our Community
Conclusion: Celebrating Everyone, Everywhere
“When traditions are accessible, the season becomes truly joyful.”
This holiday season, let’s build experiences that include, celebrate, and uplift everyone. At Joey’s Journeys, we believe the joy of the season belongs to every family—everywhere.
