Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When and where is the Disability Pride NYC Parade happening?

A: The 2026 Parade will be on October 18, 2026, with the route leading from Madison Square Park to Union Square Park.

Q: Is the Parade free to attend?

A: Yes. Participation is free for individuals and organizations, though groups are welcome to donate if they choose.

Q: Do I need to register in advance?

A: If you are marching, tabling, and/or volunteering, you need to register in advance. If you are a spectator or are only attending the Disability Pride Block Party at Union Square, you are not required to register.

Q: How do I get to the Parade?

A: You can travel to the Parade through various modes of transportation, including MTA transportation and Access-A-Ride. If you choose Access-A-Ride, please contact them 1–2 days in advance.

Q: Are there restrooms available?

A: Yes, there are wheelchair-accessible portable toilets at both the start and end of the Parade route.

Q: Will there be Disability Pride NYC merchandise?

A: Yes. More information is coming soon.

Q: Will there be food and vendors?

A: We welcome licensed food vendors to join us in the vicinity of the Parade. If you have relationships with licensed food trucks or other licensed food vendors that may be interested in participating, please let us know.

Q: Will there be water stations?

A: Yes, water will be available at Union Square.

Q: Is parking available?

A: There is no designated Parade parking. Street parking or public transit is recommended.

Q: Where can I register for the Parade?

A: Use the 2026 Parade Registration Form.

Q: How do I register to march in the Parade?

A: Please fill out the 2026 Parade Registration Form. Please be sure to read the information at the top of the form before registering.

Q: How do I register to be a general volunteer?

A: Please fill out the General Volunteer Form.

Q: How do I volunteer for a Theme Execution Team or as a Creative Volunteer?

A: Please fill out the Theme Execution Team and Creative Volunteer Form.

Q: How do I apply for a table at Union Square?

A: Please fill out the Tabling Form.

Q: When does Parade registration open and close?

A: Registration opens on February 14, 2026, and there is no deadline to register for the Parade. However, lineup order is determined by registration date, so the earlier you register, the earlier your place in the lineup—and the more likely you are to receive your preferred lineup section.

To help us plan for access together, please submit any accommodation requests that require advance coordination with your registration by September 30, 2026. You are welcome to register after September 30; whenever you register, please include your access needs so they remain connected to your registration and we can work with you to support your participation.

Q: Is there a participation fee?

A: Participation is free for individuals, organizations, corporations, and city agencies. Groups are welcome to make a donation if they choose.

Q: What is the community support request?

A: Help us build public support for keeping disability community events free and accessible.

NYC Belongs: Together for All is a new initiative of the Project Access for All communities seeking $140,455 in New York City Council Speaker’s Initiative funding to support free annual disability community events, including the Disability Pride NYC Parade, the Disability Unite Festival, and borough-wide Disability Pride Month programs. The requested funding would go directly to community programming.

We invite participating organizations and community members to help build support by taking one or more of the following actions, as appropriate for you or your organization:

• Share information about NYC Belongs: Together for All with your organization’s members and community.

• Share NYC Belongs social media posts with your networks.

• Email or call your City Council Member to share information about NYC Belongs: Together for All and ask for their support for funding the initiative.

• Email or call City Council Speaker Julie Menin to share your support for funding the initiative.

• Sign the community support form to show your support for free disability community programming. [Coming soon]

We recognize that organizations have different policies regarding communications with elected officials and public funding requests. Please participate in whatever way is appropriate for you or your organization. These actions are encouraged and are not a requirement for participating in the Parade.

Q: Are individuals required to donate to the Parade?

A: No. The Parade is completely free for all individual participants. Donations are welcome but are never required to participate.

Q: Are groups required to pay a participation fee?

A: No. There is no participation fee for organizations. Organizations with the capacity to contribute are warmly invited to make a voluntary donation based on their budget.

As a general guide, organizations may consider the following suggested contributions:

• Under $25,000 annual budget: $30–$50

• $25,000–$100,000: $100–$250

• $100,000–$250,000: $250–$500

• $250,000–$1 million: $500–$1,500

• $1 million+: $1,500+

These are suggested contributions, not fees or requirements for participation.

Q: Is there a fee for corporations to participate?

A: There is no fee for a corporation or its employees to march in the Parade. Corporations that would like to participate as official Parade sponsors, receive sponsorship benefits, or have a promotional presence are invited to select from our sponsorship opportunities, ranging from Bronze to Platinum.

Please review our Sponsorship Opportunities for more information.

Q: How can I donate to the Parade?

A: You can donate using Zeffy, PayPal,  Venmo (DisabilityPrideParadeNYC; Phone: 917-484-2245), or another convenient method.

For more ways to give, please visit the Ways to Donate page.

Q: Are tabling groups at Union Square required to pay a fee?

A: There is a cost for tabling at Union Square. For nonprofits and City agencies, the cost is $150, which covers the booth package: a tent, table, tablecloth, and two chairs.

The tabling fee for for-profit organizations is $2,000.

Q: How else can I support the Parade?

A: There are many ways to help make the Parade possible, including financial and in-kind contributions, volunteering, outreach, sharing information, and connecting others to the Parade.

Please visit our Ways to Give page to learn more.

Q: Is the Parade route wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes.

Q:What accessibility accommodations will be available?
A: Audio-description, ASL interpreters, live captioning, and wheelchair accessible routes.

Q:Are service animals allowed?
A: Yes, service animals are always permitted.

Q:How do I request additional access accommodations?
A: If you haven't filled out the Registration Form yet, please do so and indicate the accommodations you need. If you have already filled it out, we apologize, but ask that you complete it again. We are a very small team, and accessibility is important to us. The Registration Form is our central repository for all participant information.

Q: What if it rains?

A: The Parade will take place rain or shine. It will only be canceled if extreme weather or other conditions pose a threat to the safety of participants, volunteers, and organizers.

As with all large-scale City events, the Office of Emergency Management will monitor weather conditions and safety concerns and coordinate with the New York City Police Department, the Department of Transportation, and Parade organizers.

Please register for the Parade to receive weather-related updates, cancellations, or other important Parade alerts.

Q: My organization wants to contribute a cultural performance or activity. How do we get involved?

A: Please fill out the Cultural Organization Participation Form.

Q: When will we find out if we are confirmed for the block theme we selected?

A: We review form responses on Monday and Thursday mornings and will get back to you on one of those days.

Q: Can we meet and plan with other organizations that are also contributing to the creation of the block themes?

A: Absolutely! That’s an important part of building the Parade together. Planning meetings will be held twice a week, on Monday and Thursday evenings. After you register, you’ll be invited to join the Zoom meetings and connect, create, and plan with other participating organizations.

Q: How can our organization participate in the Parade?

A: Organizations can register as a group to march in the Parade, host a table at the Disability Pride Block Party at Union Square, contribute a performance or activity, volunteer, help bring a themed block to life, or participate in more than one way.

Q: Can our organization bring banners, signs, or costumes?

A: Yes! We encourage creative displays that showcase your organization’s mission and celebrate disability pride. Organizations are encouraged to connect banners, signs, costumes, art, and other creative elements to the “Together We Build!” theme and their assigned Parade block.

Q: Is there a cost for organizations to join?

A: No. There is no participation fee for organizations to march in the Parade. Organizations with the capacity to contribute are warmly invited to make a voluntary donation based on their budget.

Tabling at Union Square has a separate booth cost. Sponsorship and promotional opportunities for corporations are also separate from marching participation.

You can learn more about donations, tabling, and other ways to support the Parade on our Registration Information page.

Q: How many people from our organization can join?

A: Organizations may bring as many members as they would like, though we recommend designating a group leader to help with coordination during lineup and marching.

We also encourage organizations to let us know about any access needs within their group so we can plan together and support participation.

Q:Where can I sign up to be a volunteer?
A: To be a general volunteer, please sign up using this Volunteer Form. To be a creative volunteer or a member of the Theme Execution Team, please use this Creative Volunteer Form.

Q:When is the deadline to sign up to be a volunteer?
A: To be announced.

Q:What will volunteers do?
A: Volunteers have a choice of various positions. The roles that are solely available on the day of the event are Creative, Accessibility, and Information Volunteers. For individuals interested in the planning process, the options are Fundraising, Theme Execution, or Outreach. We hope you'll join us!

Q:How long is the event?
A: To be announced.

Q:Am I required to stay for the entirety of the event?
A: No, though we encourage you to stay until the end.

Q:What should I bring or wear?
A: No dress code, but if you're walking, wear comfortable shoes. We also encourage you to wear or bring something disability pride-related or themed (flags, signs, bandanas, etc.). If you're marching with a group that has a branded shirt, we'd recommend you all wear it.

Q: How do we register our group to march?

A: Use the 2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade Registration Form.

Q: Where do marching groups line up?

A: Line-up info will be sent to your email. Please review the Parade route information, where you will find maps showing designated line-up areas.

Q: What is the deadline for registration?

A: There is no deadline to register for the Parade. However, lineup order is determined by registration date, so the earlier you register, the earlier your place in the lineup—and the more likely you are to receive your preferred lineup section.

Accessibility

Accessibility is central to the Disability Pride Parade. The Parade route is wheelchair-accessible, and we provide a range of access supports, including ASL interpretation, CART (real-time captioning), audio description, accessible restrooms, and other accessibility supports listed on the registration form.

When you register, please check off any access supports you will use and include any additional accommodation requests in the space provided. This ensures that your access information is linked directly to your registration as a Parade participant.

If you are requesting an accommodation that requires individual arrangements or advance planning, please submit your request by September 30, 2026, so we have time to work with you to plan for your needs. You may still register after September 30 and should always include your access needs with your registration.

Q: What should marchers bring?

A: We encourage marchers to bring disability pride-themed items, including flags and signs. If you're marching with a group, we also suggest bringing a banner with your group's name printed on it.

Q: Will the event be livestreamed?

A: Yes, Disability Unite will be recording and livestreaming the event. Please visit DisabilityUnite.org to watch the event.

Q: How can I stay updated about changes?

A: Check our Announcements page and register to receive cancellation and change alerts.

Q: What is the theme of the Parade this year?

A: This year, our theme is “Together We Build!”

Together, we build access, belonging, opportunity, community, culture, justice, connection, leadership, joy, change, disability art, friendship, welcome, adaptive sports, participation, and solidarity. We build a future where disabled people have the voice, power, and opportunity to shape our communities and the world around us.

This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Section 504 Sit-in—a defining moment when solidarity changed history and continues to shape a more accessible future.

Solidarity changed history. Together, we build the future.