disABILITYsa Celebrates Disability History & Awareness Month with 4th Annual abilitySTRONG parade and 16TH Annual AccessAbility fest
Parade and festivities motto “My Ability is Fierce”
Underscores the theme “Super Heroes…saving the world with Unique Abilities”
highlighting important issues for people living with disabilities
The 16th Annual AccessAbility fest will kick-off, October 1st at 9:00 AM featuring numerous exhibitors with music, performances, activities, demonstrations, information, products, programs and services that promote independence and inclusion where individuals with disabilities live, learn, work and play.
The festivities kick-off at 9:00 am in downtown San Antonio, with the 4th Annual abilitySTRONG Parade, San Antonio’s only disability pride parade seeking to change the way people think about and define disability.
The parade and festivities theme… “Super Heroes…saving the world with Unique Abilities” celebrates the “Fierce Abilities” within the disability community as we recognize Texas Disability History & Awareness Month. Currently, one in every seven individuals living in San Antonio has a disability.
The annual parade and festival is a public expression of the belief that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities can take pride. It is presented by disABILITYsa and Wave Healthcare, LLC in partnership with City of San Antonio’s Disability Access Office and Hemisfair’s Inclusion Programming.
The parade’s theme “Super Heroes: saving the world with Unique Abilities” will serve as the official kick-off event to the 16th annual AccessAbility fest, an annual free celebration, held the first weekend of October during Texas Disability History & Awareness Month.
This year’s motto is “My Ability is Fierce” and leading the parade and march with the parade banner will be the men and women of City Council followed by its 2022 Grand Marshals, Batman of San Antonio and Tommy Flores, 2018 Fiesta Especial King.
Immediately following the parade, the 16th Annual AccessAbility fest will take place at Hemisfair’s YanaguanaGarden from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and feature numerous activities and exhibitors with information, products, programs and services that promote independence and inclusion where individuals with disabilities live, work and play. This FREE celebration also features live entertainment including two-timeGRAMMY Award Winning Tejano artist, Sunny Sauceda.
This annual event is a free, family-friendly festival with a tree adoption, information booths, a costume contest, games, health screenings, food concessions, live entertainment, product and program demonstrations and an Adaptive Climbing Wall from No Limits Tahoe.
The festival serves as a gateway to information, resources and opportunities for individuals overcoming barriers toindependence and inclusion due to physical, cognitive, sensoryand mental health challenges.
AccessAbility fest is inclusive of individuals of all backgrounds and diversities.
American Sign Language interpretation services will be available at AccessAbility fest.
Activities you won’t want to miss!
Adaptive Climbing Wall
Presented by: Mark Wellman, Adventure Athlete, Paralympian, No Limits Tahoe
The Adaptive Climbing Wall is open to people of all abilities! There is no better person to learn adaptive climbing from than Mark Wellman of No Limits. Mark is a former Paralympian and Park Ranger, and he is the first paraplegic to summit El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Come climb the wall using Mark’s innovative adaptive climbing techniques and adaptive sports gear. Climbing has tremendous benefits—building confidence, developing goal-setting skills, increasing strength and improving flexibility. Come make an unforgettable memory!
Roll With the Wind Experience
Presented by: Ainsley’s Angels San Antonio
Test drive the Ainsley’s Angels athletic ride-along experience! This experience is for anyone who would otherwise not be able to experience endurance events. Ainsley’s Angels creates “Angel Teams” by pairing Athlete-riders with runners to compete in endurance events and road races. The Athlete rider is the core of the team and pulls the runner across the finish line with smiles, cheers, and spirit. Visit the Ainsley’s Angels booth so you can sign up to experience the thrill! First-person-first-served. A limited number of race experience times are available.
Disability-friendly COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Moderna or Pfizer first and second dose vaccines, as well as the First booster for individuals 12+. In addition, the 2nd Booster is available for 50+; and the Pediatric Pfizer dose will be available for children ages 3-11. Household members and caregivers may also be vaccinated at the same time. Spanish and ASL interpretation, ABA therapists, low vision support volunteers, sensory safe spaces, and other communication supports will be provided.
Costume Contest
Between 11am and 12:30pm, volunteer judges will roam the park selecting their favorite costumes among our 2022 AccessAbility fest attendees. Twenty-six (26) contestants will be selected to participate in our Costume Contest taking place at 12:45pm on the Great Lawn. Attendees who are selected should make their way toward the Great Lawn area at 12:30pm to prepare for the final contest selection. Trophies will be presented for the Scariest, Funniest, and Best Overall costumes. All contestants will receive a participation ribbon.
2022 SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 1st, 2022
9:00AM – 10:00AM
In-Person abilitySTRONG Parade
9:00AM – 2:00PM
AccessAbility fest at Hemisfair
Exhibitor Information and Resources
Interactive Activities for all abilities
Vendors
Disability-friendly COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Voter Registration
Costume Contest
Food, Music and More!
Entertainment Headliners:
Sunny Sauceda, two-time GRAMMY Award-winning Tejano Music Artist
