What is a Theme Execution Volunteer?

For the 10th anniversary of the Disability Pride Parade, we're introducing a new approach: each block of the Parade will encompass a different theme celebrating the contributions of the disability community. We need your help to make it happen. From choreographing dances to ensuring the parade route is accessible to researching fashion trends, theme execution volunteers will cultivate a lively, vibrant atmosphere along the Parade route. 

 
Theme Execution Volunteer Roles

Dance Consultants and Choreographers: Advise on the type of dance most popular and fitting for the block's theme. You may choreograph a routine for your company to perform along the Parade route.

Art and Display Coordinators: Fashion and Costume Guides: Research fashion trends of the decade or theme a block represents, and devise instructions for volunteers who signed up to dress up according to that decade along the Parade route.

Route Accessibility Coordinators: Ensure all activities along the Parade route are fully accessible

Fashion and Costume Guides: Research fashion trends of the decade or theme a block represents, and devise instructions for volunteers who signed up to dress up for that block.

Music Curators: Select music to play on each block and ensure it fits the block theme. May serve as DJs

Storytelling Leadership: Kick off the 400 by 400 Campaign by reaching out to people who may be interested in telling their stories as New Yorkers with disabilities. You may also tell your own story. We strongly encourage schools to take on this role.

Social Media Influencers and Podcasters: Promote the event on your platform and reach out to influencers

Sign Up

If you'd like to be a member of the Theme Execution Team, you can sign up using the General Team Sign Up Form by Monday, October 13, 2025. Then, join the soonest weekly virtual meeting (Mondays and Thursdays at 5:00 PM EST) of the Theme Execution Team you can. You'll receive a Zoom link after you register.

Please note that this position is only available in the days and weeks preceding the Parade, as are the Fundraising and Outreach roles. If you're interested in helping solely on the day of the Parade, you can be an Information, Creative, or Accessibility Volunteer. For more information, visit those pages.

What Is a Theme Execution Volunteer?

For the 2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade, our theme is “Together We Build!” Each block of the Parade will bring a different part of that theme to life, celebrating disability pride, culture, history, creativity, community, and the contributions of disabled people.

Theme Execution Volunteers help turn those ideas into the sights, sounds, activities, performances, and experiences people encounter throughout the Parade.

From choreographing dances and creating art to developing performances, sharing disability history, bringing cultural traditions to the Parade, and helping make activities accessible, Theme Execution Volunteers work together with disabled artists, disability organizations, cultural and community organizations, schools, and other volunteers to create lively, accessible, and engaging experiences.

You can contribute your professional expertise, lived experience, creativity, community knowledge, or simply your enthusiasm and willingness to help. Disabled people are especially encouraged to help lead and shape the themes.

Theme Execution Volunteer Roles

Dance Consultants, Choreographers, and Performers

Help develop dances and movement activities that bring a block’s theme to life. Choreographers, dance companies, individual dancers, and community members can create or perform routines and help develop ways for people with different disabilities and ways of moving to participate.

Art and Display Coordinators

Help develop signs, banners, visual displays, collaborative art projects, decorations, and interactive activities that express the theme of a Parade block.

Fashion and Costume Guides

Help develop costumes, clothing, accessories, and other creative ways for participants to visually express a block’s theme.

Route and Activity Access Volunteers

Work with the Parade accessibility team, disabled participants, artists, and activity leaders to identify potential access barriers and help make themed activities accessible in different ways.

Music Curators and DJs

Help select music that reflects each block’s theme and creates an energetic and welcoming atmosphere. Musicians and DJs may also perform along the Parade route or at the Disability Pride Block Party.

Disability Culture and History Volunteers

Research and help share disability history, culture, art, leadership, and community stories connected to the Parade themes.

Cultural and Community Liaisons

Work with disability organizations and cultural, faith-based, LGBTQ+, aging, veteran, immigrant, racial and ethnic, and other communities to help bring their creativity, traditions, experiences, and connections to the themed blocks.

Storytelling Volunteers

Help invite and support disabled New Yorkers and community members who would like to share stories, experiences, disability history, and hopes for the future. Volunteers may also share their own stories.

Schools, youth groups, older adults, and intergenerational groups are especially encouraged to help connect the stories of those who helped build the disability rights movement with those building what comes next.

Social Media and Communications Volunteers

Help share the development of the themed blocks through accessible social media, photography, video, interviews, podcasts, and other communications. Content should use accessibility practices such as captions and alt text.

Performance and Activity Coordinators

Help connect performers, artists, organizations, and volunteers with individual themed blocks and coordinate performances, creative projects, and interactive activities.

Schools and Student Teams

Schools, classes, clubs, and student organizations can adopt or contribute to a themed block through art, research, disability history, performances, music, storytelling, social media, and other creative projects.

Disabled and nondisabled students are encouraged to create, participate, and lead together.

Help Build a Themed Block

You do not need to be a professional artist, performer, or event producer to join the Theme Execution Team.

You might have an idea. You might know an artist or organization that should participate. You might want to research disability history, help make signs, find music, create an activity, recruit performers, share stories, or help make a block more accessible.

Bring what you know, what you love, and what you would like to contribute. We’ll build it together.

When Can I Volunteer?

Theme Execution Volunteers can participate in the weeks and months leading up to the Parade, on Parade day, or both.

Some volunteers will help research, plan, organize, and create themed blocks in advance. Others will help bring those plans to life on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

If you would rather volunteer only on Parade day, there are also opportunities in accessibility, information and welcome, creative and performance activities, community engagement, photography and social media, health and safety, production, and other areas.

Access for Theme Execution Volunteers

Disabled people are encouraged to participate and lead throughout the Theme Execution Team.

Let us know about any access needs when you register. Opportunities can include in-person or remote planning, shorter assignments, seated roles, lower-sensory activities, advance preparation, and other ways of participating.

You do not need to disclose a disability or explain why you need an access support in order to volunteer.

Sign Up

If you’d like to join the Theme Execution Team, sign up using the General Team Sign Up Form.

Theme Execution Team planning meetings are held twice weekly on Monday and Thursday evenings. After you register, you’ll receive information about upcoming meetings and a Zoom link.

Not sure where you fit? Tell us about your interests, talents, experience, community connections, and access needs, and we’ll work with you to find a way to contribute.