Disability Organizations

Disability organizations are the heart of the Disability Pride Parade. They bring community and pride to the event by marching together, raising awareness, sharing their voices, and representing the diverse disability community. These organizations help make the Parade both a celebration and a platform for visibility, connection, culture, and education.

What Roles Do Disability Organizations Play?

• Parade Marchers: Groups will march using banners or signs representing their organization, uniting members and supporters.

• Awareness Builders: Share resources, highlight important issues, and celebrate achievements in disability culture.

• Community Engagers: Engage Parade-goers by handing out information, greeting attendees, and connecting people to support networks.

• Block Participation: Many organizations will take part in their designated Parade block, helping bring the “Together We Build!” themes to life through performances, activities, art, culture, information, and community participation.

• Union Square Gathering: Organizations can host tables, distribute resources, or run interactive activities during the Disability Pride Block Party.

• Creative and Cultural Participation: Organizations are also invited to contribute performances, artists, cultural activities, storytelling, disability history, and other creative ways of sharing their communities with Parade participants.

• Volunteer and Leadership Participation: Organizations can contribute volunteers, expertise, ideas, and leadership to help build and shape the Parade.

Event Timeline

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Line-Up & Side Streets — Madison Square Park

• Organizations gather with their groups, decorate banners, and prepare for the march.

• Performers, artists, volunteers, and community members will help create energy and connection throughout the lineup areas.

11:00 AM | Parade Kickoff

Route: Madison Square Park → Broadway → Union Square Park

• Organizations march together, share their missions, cultures, communities, and messages, and engage with the crowd.

12:00 PM | Disability Pride Block Party — Union Square Park

• Communities share information, network, and join community activities.

• Some organizations may table.

• Organizations may also contribute performances, arts activities, cultural programming, and other interactive experiences.

12:10 PM | Remarks & Spotlights — Union Square Park

• Select organizations may be highlighted on stage to speak about their mission and impact.

12:40 PM – 3:00 PM | Performances & Community Engagement — Union Square Park

• Organizations continue engaging with the public through activities, networking, performances, arts and cultural activities, information sharing, and community building.

Register for the Parade

You can register for the Parade using the 2026 Parade Registration Form at any time. The earlier you register, the earlier your place in the lineup and the more likely you are to receive your preferred lineup section.

If your organization is requesting an accommodation that requires advance coordination, please include that request with your registration by September 30, 2026. You are welcome to register after September 30 and should always include your access needs with your registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A: Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM, from Madison Square Park to Union Square Park in Manhattan.

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.