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By Ann Teng, Senior Trainer and Family Engagement Manager
By Ann Teng, Senior Trainer and Family Engagement Manager
The Federation works for inclusion and access for children and all people with disabilities, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+. This past June, we partnered with a grassroots group of self-advocates to help make the Pride parade and festivities in Boston more accessible.
Pride events are a time for celebration, solidarity, and visibility for queer relationships and identities. For individuals with sensory needs, these vibrant celebrations can present significant challenges. Understanding this, the Federation stepped forward to enhance the accessibility of this year's Pride event by purchasing and donating 2000 sets of FCSN earplugs.
The earplugs were distributed across the event to individuals with sensory needs, ensuring that everyone could enjoy the festivities comfortably and safely. The distribution took place through the event’s ADA accessibility tent, the sensory tent, the youth and elderly tents, and the volunteer tents.
The response to our initiative was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees expressed gratitude and relief for the availability of the earplugs, which allowed them to participate in the parade and festival without the discomfort or distress that loud noises can cause. They were so popular, in fact, that every pair had been given out before the event was halfway through.
Providing earplugs underscores the necessity of ear health and safety, as well as the broader principle of inclusivity. By providing earplugs at Pride events, we don't just offer a simple tool; we send a powerful message that everyone deserves to be part of the celebration, regardless of their sensory needs. The distribution of earplugs at the Pride event also served as a reminder of the ongoing need for accessibility in public spaces. Events like Pride should be a joyful experience for all, and this requires thoughtful planning and resources to accommodate diverse needs. The Federation is proud to contribute to this effort, demonstrating that inclusion is not just a goal but a continuous practice.
As we reflect on the success of this year's Pride march, we are inspired to continue our work in promoting accessibility and inclusion, including sustaining our staff’s conversations on our continuous partnerships with queer communities in Massachusetts through our family engagement efforts. We believe that when everyone has the tools and support they need, communities become stronger and more vibrant. This year's Pride event was a testament to that belief, showing that small actions, like the distribution of earplugs, can have a profound impact on the lives of individuals and families.
Intersections between Disabilities & LGBTQIA+ Identities
Intersections between Disabilities & LGBTQIA+ Identities
Families and young people are diverse, and the Federation is here to support anyone who is experiencing obstacles to educational opportunity and community access. Whether it is a parent or a child who identifies as LGBTQ+, we warmly welcome anyone who lives inside the intersections of disability, diverse sexual orientation, and/or gender-expansive identities.
Research tells us that people with disabilities are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ – and the reverse is also true. For example, within the autistic community, individuals are more likely to identify as nonbinary, genderqueer, or Trans.
A recent article in Forbes magazine stated that autistic adults are 2-3 times more likely to identify as Trans than non-autistic adults. An individual quoted in the piece describes the intersection of Trans and autistic identities:
Autistic people and LGBTQ people often face negative stereotypes, discrimination, and pressure to conform or “pass for ‘normal. The intersection between being queer and being autistic is that we don’t want to be altered. We don’t want to be cured of who we are. Our worth doesn’t derive from seeming ‘normal.'
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