Parade Accessibility

Everyone Belongs at the Disability Pride NYC Parade

Accessibility is central to the Disability Pride NYC Parade. We are committed to creating a Parade where disabled people can participate fully as marchers, performers, volunteers, organizers, and audience members.

Access needs are individual. We encourage you to share what will support your participation as early as possible so that access can be planned from the beginning. You do not need to disclose a disability when requesting access.

Parade Route and Physical Access

The Parade route is wheelchair accessible.

The following access features will be available without an advance request:

• Accessible portable toilets

• Accessible water stations

• An adult-size changing table

• A quiet area

• Service-animal relief areas

As arrangements are finalized, this page will be updated with additional information about:

• Accessible entrances and gathering locations

• Accessible viewing areas

• Accessible drop-off and pickup locations

• Accessible transportation

• Rest and seating locations

• Parade route and distance

• Street, terrain, and other conditions that may affect access

Communication and Sensory Access

American Sign Language interpretation, Communication Access Realtime Translation, and audio description will be available for the brief opening remarks for the press and the Disability Pride Block Party program in Union Square Park.

Additional communication and sensory access planning includes:

• DeafBlind access support

• Sighted-guide assistance

• Assistive listening access

• Language access

• A quiet area

• Other individualized communication and sensory access supports

Some individualized services require advance planning, staffing, equipment, or coordination. Please submit these requests through the Parade registration form by September 30, 2026.

Requests made after September 30 are equally welcome. The Parade team will work directly with participants and make every reasonable effort to provide effective access, although fulfillment may depend on the time and resources needed to make the arrangements.

CART Access

Communication Access Realtime Translation, known as CART, may be accessed through the livestream at DisabilityUnite.org.

A direct link to the StreamText CART feed will also be emailed before the Parade to people who request CART through the registration form. An on-site CART display may be requested in advance through the form.

CART is the communication access service; StreamText is one platform through which the live text may be accessed. We recognize that StreamText does not provide effective access for everyone.

The registration form includes optional questions to help us understand what will provide effective CART access for members of our community, including:

• Access through the Disability Unite livestream

• Access through StreamText

• Access through personal phones, tablets, computers, or other devices

• Assistance opening, navigating, or using CART on a personal device

• Screen-reader access

• Refreshable Braille-display access

• On-site CART display needs

• Other CART platforms or display methods

In an outdoor setting, displaying CART on a shared screen requires additional infrastructure, including a screen large enough for the audience. Responses to the registration questions will help us plan these resources based on what members of our community tell us will work for them.

Assistive Listening Access

Assistive listening technology can work differently in outdoor environments. If you or members of your group may use or request assistive listening access, the registration form provides space to tell us what technology, equipment, or approach has worked in outdoor settings.

The Disability Pride NYC Parade accessibility team may communicate directly with participants to better understand what would provide effective access.

DeafBlind Access

The registration form provides opportunities to request DeafBlind access support and describe the communication methods and supports that will provide effective access.

These may include:

• Tactile ASL

• Protactile communication

• Close-vision ASL

• A DeafBlind interpreter

• A support service provider or co-navigator

• Preferred seating and lighting

• Braille

• Large-print or accessible electronic materials

• Audio description

• Sighted-guide assistance

Participants may also identify the person with whom the Parade accessibility team should communicate directly about DeafBlind access.

Language Access

The registration form includes optional questions about language access for:

• Parade information and participant materials

• Registration

• Check-in

• Participation at the Parade

• Promotional and community-outreach materials

With advance notification, participants and organizations may request translated information, spoken-language interpretation, or other language and communication access.

The form also provides an opportunity to identify languages in which translated promotional materials would help engage additional communities.

Accessible Seating Reservations

Two hundred chairs will be available in the community viewing area along the Parade route.

Accessible seating must be reserved through the registration form by October 5, 2026.

There is no charge for accessible seating. An optional contribution of $2 per chair will help cover rental costs. No one will be denied seating because they are unable to contribute.

Adult-Size Changing Table

An adult-size changing table will be available in a private, accessible location.

Participants are responsible for their own personal care, assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Parade team will be responsible for regularly cleaning and sanitizing the table and changing area.

Service-Animal Relief Areas

Service-animal relief areas will be available. The registration form includes an optional question about the approximate number of service animals attending to help us plan these areas.

Participants will not be asked to identify the tasks performed by a service animal or provide documentation.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Assistance

Participants may request wheelchairs provided by the Parade team to help navigate the Parade route. This does not apply to participants bringing their own wheelchairs or mobility devices.

To give the Parade team the best opportunity to arrange wheelchairs, please submit requests through the registration form by September 30, 2026.

Requests made after September 30 are also welcome, and the Parade team will make every effort to fulfill them based on availability.

Participants may also use the registration form to request sighted-guide assistance or describe other mobility assistance that would support their participation.

Access-A-Ride and Paratransit

The registration form asks whether participants expect to use Access-A-Ride or another paratransit service. This information will help us plan accessible drop-off and pickup arrangements.

Additional transportation information, including exact drop-off and pickup locations, will be added as arrangements are confirmed.

Participating in the Parade

Individuals, organizations, schools, artists, performers, community groups, and Parade contingents may use the registration form to share access needs related to:

• Gathering and lineup

• Traveling the Parade route

• Performing

• Riding on a vehicle or float

• Communication

• Sensory access

• Seating and rest

• Personal assistance

• Receiving Parade information in an accessible format

Whenever possible, please share access needs early so that access can be built into the experience from the beginning.

Request or Update Access Support

Please submit all access accommodation requests through the 2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade Registration Form.

Please do not submit access accommodation requests by email or phone.

If you have a new request after registering, please resubmit the form, identify it as an access update for the same individual or organization, provide the name used on the original registration, and complete only the questions related to the new request.

The registration form contains the complete list of access supports, planning questions, request deadlines, and opportunities to communicate directly with the Parade accessibility team.

Accessible Parade Information

Parade information will be developed with accessibility in mind. Accessible digital materials and information about available alternative formats will be provided.

The registration form may also be used to request Parade information in an alternative format or report an accessibility barrier involving the website, registration materials, social media, or other Parade communications.

Access Is Something We Build Together

The theme of the 2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade is:

“Together We Build”

Accessibility is part of what we build together.

The disability community has a long history of creating access, sharing knowledge, advocating for one another, and changing the world through collective action. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the historic Section 504 Sit-In, we honor that history of solidarity while continuing to build greater access and participation today.

We welcome feedback from disabled New Yorkers, disability-led organizations, families, allies, and community partners about how we can continue strengthening access to the Parade.

Everyone belongs. Every access need matters. Together We Build.