When family and friends with and without disabilities all get together during the holiday season, it can be a great time for fellowship, relaxation, food, and family fun! Families can strengthen their relationships and build memories. Research has shown that when parents spend shared leisure time with their children with disabilities, it may improve parent-child closeness and reduce conflict. Similarly, parents and other adults with disabilities can strengthen relationships with their families through leisure activities.
People with disabilities of all ages can have fun with their families and access holiday activities just as their peers without disabilities. They may require different levels of support to access and participate in holiday leisure activities with their families. They may also require support if they are traveling to or with their families for the holidays. NARIC’s information specialists are often asked for information and resources related to accessible leisure and recreational activities that whole families may participate in.
Below, you will find just a few examples of evidence-based resources produced by the NIDILRR grantee community:

• Build your welcoming toolkit! The NIDILRR-funded Temple University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living and Participation of Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses (TU Collaborative) has developed factsheets, calendars, toolkits, and other products to help people with mental health conditions, their families, and clinicians about the importance of recreation and leisure activities for mental health and community inclusion, including:
  • The Family Leisure Toolkit presents the benefits of family recreational activities and how to use family leisure to build strong bonds, and provides ideas on how to jump-start your activities as a family during the holidays and throughout the year.
  • The brief, Recreation and Leisure for Older Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities, provides a set of guidelines and tips, along with activity programs and resources, for older adults with psychiatric disabilities and their families to help them get involved year round in recreational and leisure activities individually and with their families in their communities.
  • The Creating Welcoming Parks and Recreation Environments Video Series provides advice for connecting with individuals with mental health conditions and service providers, as well as creating welcoming park and recreational facilities and environments for all.

• Consider a museum visit! Touch Graphics developed and tested tactile exhibit technology through NIDILRR-funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. They’ve collaborated with museums and historic sites across the US to create exhibits where visitors can explore by touch and sound, along with visual elements, so everyone can get the full museum experience.
• Plan ahead! The ADA National Network and its 10 Regional Centers provide information, guidance, and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They published evidence-based factsheets, guides, and other resources, including resources on accessible facilities, parking, hotels, and restaurants accessible for the holidays and throughout the year, including:
  • A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible for People with Disabilities.
  • Accessible Lodging.
  • Accessible Parking.
  • Food Service: Accommodating Diners with Disabilities.
  • Opening Doors to Everyone.

Did you know that NARIC maintains pages of community resources on our website that can help you make holiday festivities at home or in the community accessible to all, including travel? They include:

• Accessible Fitness, Leisure, and Recreation.
• Assistive Technology.
• Independent Living and Community Participation.
• Travel and Volunteerism Resources.

To learn more about these and other products from the NIDILRR community, contact NARIC’s information specialists.