Become a Volunteer with Disability Pride NYC at the 2025 Disability Pride Parade and Festival or year-round!

Volunteers are appreciated for these responsibilities

Choose the role that suits you best!

Volunteer Roles:

• Creative Volunteers

  • • • Performers and Artists: Entertain and engage attendees through music, dance, visual arts, or other creative performances.

      • Costumed Volunteers: Each of the 10 blocks of the parade will represent one decade, with the first block being the 1920s and the last being the 2020s. Costumed volunteers will dress in accordance with the decade of their block.

      • Dance Troupes: Perform dance routines to entertain and energize the crowd. Some of these will be available on YouTube prior to the parade for the general public to learn.

      • Freestyle Dancers: Showcase your unique talent and engage attendees with interactive dance performances.

      • Parade DJs: Play music through speakers to keep the parade lively.

      • Marching Bands: March along the parade route while performing live music.

• Accessibility and Information

  • • • Certified ASL Interpreters: Provide Sign Language interpretation to ensure accessibility for d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees. 

      • Information Booth Volunteers: Stationed at the information booth during the Union Square portion, volunteers will answer questions about the event and assist parade participants by providing water at designated water stations. 

      • Block Coordinators or (Section Captains): Help organize the designated block, lead, and communicate with the particular block volunteers.

• Logistics

• Photographers and Videographers: Help record the parade for online viewers, and capture photos and videos of elected officials, city agency representatives, parade-goers, and performers. 

• Social Media Influencers: Actively promote the parade online and share photos, videos, and updates.

• Arts and Decor Volunteers: Create and manage visual displays, decorations, and elements of the parade.

• Judge Assistants: Support judges by organizing materials, recording scores, and helping the participants as needed

• Public Engagement Volunteers: Interact with members of the general public and encourage them to watch the parade

• Spectators: Enjoy!! Participate actively, cheer, and support parade blocks.

• Production Team: Experienced production team members to keep the program on time. Coordinate parade timeline and flow, troubleshoot any technical or logistical issues.

"Remember to Have Fun, Spread Joy, and Make Amazing Memories!"

Share how you'd like to contribute on the volunteer form

General Volunteer Opportunities | Available Anytime from 9:30 AM - 3 PM 

Accessibility and Information

• Certified ASL interpreters: Additional ASL Support is Welcome.

Logistics

• Photographers and Videographers: Help record the parade for online viewers, and capture photos and videos of elected officials, city agency representatives, and all participating parade groups. 

 
9:30 AM - 11 AM | Information Table and Side Streets – Madison Square Park

Roles for Volunteers:

Creative Volunteers

• Performers and Artists: Visit side streets to engage with groups waiting for the parade to begin, fostering excitement and community connection. 

• Costumed Volunteers: Dress according to their block’s theme and take assigned positions along the parade route. 

Accessibility and Information

• Information Booth Volunteers: Provide line-up and logistics information at the information booth and help direct groups along side streets. A Zoom training session will be held prior to the parade. 

• Block Coordinators: Each block will have two coordinators collaborating with the Art Beyond Sight team to ensure communication and organization

Note: Volunteers stationed along the parade route will receive a colored shirt (or a themed item if dressed by era) to identify their assigned block. 

10:30 AM | Press Remarks by parade organizers, several citywide elected officials and Grand Marshals

Roles for Volunteers:

Logistics

• Social Media Influencers: Hold and post interviews with officials and Grand Marshals.

• Organizers to gather stakeholders for a photo and then move to the area to kick-off the parade on time.

• Photographers and Videographers: Capture key speakers as they give their remarks as well as audience reactions

• Photographers and Videographers: Capture and share photographs of elected officials and city agencies. 

11 AM | Parade Starts

Route: Madison Square Park → Broadway → Union Square Park

Union Square: Participants gather to celebrate Disability Pride together! 

Along the parade route: 

• A designated Community Viewing Area will be available for non-marching attendees on Broadway between 21st and 22nd Street. 

Roles for Volunteers:

*Folding chairs are available per chair and must be reserved and paid for in advance.  - Folding chairs are available by reservation and must be reserved in advance. *

Creative Volunteers

• Costumed Volunteers: Dress in attire that reflects the decade their block represents (ex: Bell-bottoms for the 1970s) and help energize the crowd with dancing and enthusiasm. They may also provide information on the members of the disability community identified as influential in the decade.

• Dance Troupes: Volunteer dance groups (likely preexisting) will perform choreographed routines that reflect the theme of their assigned block(s). Each troupe will perform once unless additional performances are needed. These performances will take place intermittently throughout the parade.

• Parade DJs: Play music through speakers to entertain and energize the audience while supporting the parade's inclusive and celebratory atmosphere.

• Marching Bands: March along the parade route performing live music, keeping in rhythm with fellow band members, and maintaining a lively atmosphere. These volunteers will likely be from preexisting groups.

Accessibility and Information

• Information Booth Volunteers: Control the flow of marchers and direct each group. 

• Block Coordinators (2 per block): Oversee the activities within your assigned block and provide regular updates to the Art Beyond Sight team.

Logistics

• Art and Decor: Help with creative activities such as face painting.[vague idea of adding a huge canvas for participants to add notes, drawings, and post-it notes. Promoting on social media pages.]

• Photographers and Videographers: Capture the spirit of the event by taking photos and videos of the parade, parade-goers, and volunteers. 

• Spectators: Stand or sit along the parade route and watch the parade.

• Judges Assistants: Support judges during contests by managing the fast-paced flow of numerous participants.

Judges Review Stand (Broadway between 21st and 22nd street)

Awards will be given for

• Best Float.

• Best Performance (while moving down the street)

• Best Costumes

• Most Spirit

12:00 PM |Community Gathering – Union Square Park

Tabling by organizations, corporations and City Agencies, performances, and community engagement activities. 

Roles for Volunteers:

Creative Volunteers

• Freestyle Dancers (10 people): Dance near the front of the stage to the live music

• Costumed Volunteers: Dress in clothing appropriate for their block's decade and work to create a fun energy during the gathering.

Accessibility and information

• Arts and Decor Volunteers: Lead activities in the arts and crafts booth. Specific activities TBA.

Logistics

• Information Booth Volunteers: Assist organizations in finding their table location, answer questions, and share resources. Direct parade-goers to the stage at the end of the parade.

12:30 PM | Remarks by parade organizers, several citywide elected officials, and Grand Marshals (repeat and additional of earlier remarks)

Roles for Volunteers:

Creative Volunteers

• Performers and Artists: Engage with communities throughout Union Square and guide the parade with announcements and spotlight special guests. 

Accessibility and information

• Accessibility Volunteers: Direct people to the Quiet Area and ASL Interpreters and answer accessibility questions.

• Information Booth Volunteers: Remain at the information booth to answer questions about the event and provide parade participants with water at designated water stations.

Logistics

• Production Team: Experienced production team members to keep the program on time. Coordinate parade timeline and flow, troubleshoot any technical or logistical issues.

• Public Engagement Volunteers: Interact with members of the general public and encourage them to watch the speeches.

• Photographers and Videographers: Capture key speakers as they give their remarks as well as audience reactions.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Music and dance performances 

Roles for Volunteers:

Creative Volunteers

• Freestyle Dancers: Dance near the front of the stage to live music. These volunteers will switch off every 15 minutes.

• Performers and Artists: Engage with communities throughout Union Square and guide the parade with announcements and spotlight special guests. 

Accessibility and information

• Accessibility Volunteers: Direct people to the Quiet Area and ASL Interpreters and answer accessibility questions.

• Information Booth Volunteers: Remain at the information booth to answer questions about the event and provide parade participants with water at designated water stations.

Logistics

• Photographers and Videographers: Capture photos and videos of performers and artists on stage. 

• Production Team: Experienced production team members to keep the program on time. Coordinate parade timeline and flow, troubleshoot any technical or logistical issues.

• Social Media Influencers: Record performances and create content to boost engagement.

• Public Engagement Volunteers: Interact with members of the general public and encourage them to watch the performances.

Block-by-Block Volunteer Breakdown

Block 1: 1920s–30s 

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 2: 1940s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 3: 1950s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 4: 1960s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 5: 1970s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 6: 1980s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 7: 1990s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 8: 2000s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 9: 2010s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Block 10: 2020s

• 2 Block Coordinators

Volunteer with Disability Pride NYC

Help us build the 2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade—and get involved year-round!

There are many ways to contribute your time, talents, creativity, experience, and energy.

Choose the role that suits you best!

There is no single way to volunteer. Whether you want to lead, create, perform, organize, welcome people, share your expertise, help behind the scenes, or contribute for a shorter period of time, there is a place for you to help build the Parade.

Not sure which role is right for you? That’s okay. Tell us what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at, and any access needs you have, and we’ll work with you to find a role.

Organizations and community groups are invited not only to march, but also to contribute volunteers, ideas, expertise, performances, activities, and leadership to help shape the Parade.

Volunteer Roles

Creative and Performance Volunteers

• Performers and Artists: Engage Parade participants through music, dance, visual arts, theater, and other creative performances and activities. Disabled artists, musicians, dancers, actors, writers, and other creatives are especially encouraged to bring their work, creativity, culture, and lived experience to the Parade.

• Dance Troupes and Dance Volunteers: Whether you’re part of a dance troupe, an experienced dancer, or simply someone who enjoys dancing, we’d love to have you join in! Dance in whatever way works for you—standing, seated, rolling, signing, moving, or expressing the music in your own way. Some dances will be available on YouTube before the Parade so you can learn the moves, gear up, and get ready to dance with us. Freestyle dancing is welcome, too. Dance instructions shared in advance will include accessible instructions so people can learn and participate in different ways.

• Parade DJs: Play music to keep the Parade lively and help bring energy and joy to the celebration.

• Marching Bands: March along the Parade route while performing live music.

• Arts and Decor Volunteers: Help create signs, visual displays, decorations, collaborative art projects, and other creative elements of the Parade. Activities may include face painting and a large community canvas where participants can add messages, drawings, and other contributions. Activities should be designed so people can participate in different ways and at their own pace.

• Disability Culture and History Volunteers: Help share disability history, culture, pride, and the stories behind the themes represented throughout the Parade.

• Theme Execution Team Volunteers: Work with artists, cultural organizations, community partners, and other volunteers to help bring the “Together We Build!” themed blocks to life.

• Lineup Performers and Artists: Visit lineup areas before the Parade begins to engage with groups as they wait, helping build excitement, joy, and community connection.

Accessibility and Information Volunteers

• Accessibility Volunteers: Help participants connect with accessibility supports and accessible areas, answer access questions, and work with the Parade accessibility team to identify and help address access barriers throughout the day.

• Blind and Low-Vision Access: Help support audio description, accessible information, wayfinding, and other blind and low-vision access. Blind and low-vision volunteers are encouraged to help shape and participate in this work.

• Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Access: Help support ASL interpretation, CART (real-time captioning), and other communication access. Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard-of-hearing volunteers are encouraged to help shape and participate in this work.

• Sensory Access: Help support the Quiet Area and connect participants with information about sensory access. Volunteers with lived experience and expertise in sensory access are encouraged to help shape this work.

• Mobility and Route Access: Help monitor accessible paths and identify barriers that could interfere with wheelchair, scooter, walker, or other mobility-device access. Mobility-device users and other volunteers with lived experience of mobility access are encouraged to help shape and participate in this work.

• ASL Interpreters: Additional qualified ASL interpreters are welcome to support communication access throughout the day.

• Language Access Volunteers: Multilingual volunteers can help welcome participants, provide information, and support communication with people who use languages other than English.

• Information Booth Volunteers: Answer questions about the Parade, provide lineup and logistics information, help direct groups and participants, and provide water at designated water stations.

• Block Coordinators: Help organize an assigned themed block, coordinate activities, communicate with participating groups and volunteers, and provide updates to the Parade team.

Volunteers should offer assistance rather than assume it is needed and respect each person’s choices about whether and how they would like assistance.

Leadership and Community Volunteers

• Community Ambassadors: Welcome and connect people from across New York City’s disability communities and the many cultural, faith-based, LGBTQ+, aging, veteran, immigrant, racial and ethnic, and other communities of which disabled people are a part.

• Welcome and Public Engagement Volunteers: Greet participants, spectators, and neighbors; help create a welcoming atmosphere; answer basic questions; and invite people to experience and participate in the Parade.

Youth and Intergenerational Engagement

• Youth Volunteers and Leaders: Young people, including disabled youth, are invited to help build the Parade through creative activities, performances, community engagement, and other age-appropriate volunteer and leadership roles.

• Schools, Youth Groups, and Families: Schools, after-school programs, youth organizations, and families are invited to volunteer together, create art and signs, participate in themed blocks, perform, and contribute activities to the Parade.

• Intergenerational Engagement and Disability History: Help bring generations together to create, volunteer, share stories and disability history, learn from one another, and celebrate Disability Pride—connecting those who helped build the disability rights movement with those building what comes next.

Youth participation should be accessible and inclusive, with disabled and nondisabled young people participating, creating, and leading together.

Logistics, Communications, and Engagement Volunteers

• Photographers and Videographers: Help record the Parade for online viewers and capture the people, performances, creativity, pride, and community that make the Parade possible.

• Social Media Volunteers: Help share the Parade online through accessible photos, videos, interviews, and updates. Volunteers will be encouraged to use accessibility practices such as alt text and captions when creating and sharing content.

• Interview Volunteers: Conduct and share short interviews with Grand Marshals, elected officials, community leaders, performers, participating organizations, Parade participants, and other special guests.

• Production Team: Experienced production volunteers help keep the program on time, coordinate Parade timing and flow, and troubleshoot technical or logistical issues.

• Stakeholder and Guest Coordination: Help gather speakers, Grand Marshals, elected officials, City agency representatives, and other guests for photographs, remarks, and Parade kickoff activities.

• Water Station Volunteers: Help distribute water to Parade participants at designated locations.

Health and Safety Volunteers

• Medical Personnel: Appropriately licensed or certified medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, and other qualified medical professionals, are welcome to volunteer to help provide first aid and respond to medical emergencies during the Parade and Disability Pride Block Party.

• First Aid Volunteers: Volunteers with current first aid and CPR/AED training can help support designated first aid areas and connect participants with appropriate medical personnel when needed.

• Hydration and Rest Area Volunteers: Help participants locate water, rest areas, Quiet Areas, first aid, and other resources throughout the day.

Medical and first aid volunteers should respect participants’ autonomy, communicate directly with the person whenever possible, and ask before providing non-emergency assistance.

Judges and Judge Assistants

• Judges: Help celebrate the creativity, pride, energy, and spirit of Parade participants by reviewing participating groups and selecting award recipients.

• Judge Assistants: Support judges by organizing materials, recording scores, coordinating participants, and helping the judging process run smoothly.

Awards may include:

• Best Float

• Best Performance

• Best Costumes

• Most Spirit

• Best Expression of “Together We Build!”

• Most Creative Accessibility

• Community Spirit Award

Volunteer Access

Disabled people are encouraged to volunteer and lead in every area of the Parade—including as Block Coordinators, Theme Execution Team members, artists, performers, accessibility volunteers, photographers, production volunteers, judges, and team leaders. We want volunteering itself to be accessible.

When you register, please tell us about any access needs you have and the kinds of roles that work best for you. Volunteer opportunities can include seated or standing roles, shorter shifts, lower-sensory assignments, remote or advance preparation, and other ways of participating.

We will work with volunteers to identify roles and access supports that make participation possible. You do not need to disclose a disability or explain why you need an access support in order to volunteer.

What Volunteers Can Expect

• Pre-Parade Training: Volunteers whose roles require preparation will be invited to a Zoom training session before the Parade. Training materials and information will be provided in accessible formats.

• Volunteer Identification: Volunteers stationed along the Parade route may receive a shirt, themed item, badge, or other identifier so participants can easily recognize members of the volunteer team.

• Accessible Information: Volunteer instructions will be available in accessible digital formats and will not rely only on color, images, maps, or other visual information to communicate important instructions.

• Accessible Dance Preparation: Some dances will be shared on YouTube before the Parade. Videos will include captions and accessible verbal instructions so volunteers can learn the dances in different ways.

Community Viewing Area

A designated Community Viewing Area will provide a place along the Parade route for people who would like to experience the Parade without marching. Folding chairs may be available by advance reservation.

Volunteers will help welcome people to the Community Viewing Area, provide information, and help keep accessible paths and seating areas clear.

Disability Pride Block Party at Union Square

Volunteers can also help at the Disability Pride Block Party at Union Square, including with:

• Information and welcome

• Accessibility and directions to the Quiet Area and access services

• Tabling and organization check-in

• Arts and participatory activities

• Performances and dancing

• Photography and videography

• Social media

• Public engagement

• Water distribution

• Production and logistics

Volunteer Opportunities Throughout the Day

Volunteer assignments will be available at Madison Square Park, along the Parade route, within the themed blocks, at the Community Viewing Area, and at Union Square.

Specific assignments, arrival times, locations, access information, and training will be shared with registered volunteers before the Parade.

Tell us about your interests, talents, experience, and access needs so we can work together to find a role that is a good fit for you.

Remember to have fun, spread joy, and make amazing memories!

Share how you'd like to contribute on the 2026 Disability Pride NYC Volunteer Form.