July is Disability Pride Month, honoring the history, achievements, and lived experiences of the disability community, and commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. New York State is a welcoming destination year-round for visitors of all abilities, from mobility and sensory needs to developmental disabilities. From theater, comedy, and music to outdoor recreation, museums, and historic sites, many of New York’s world-class attractions are accessible and offer specialty programming, making the state an inclusive place for people of all abilities to explore and enjoy.
1. Celebrate at a Disability Pride Festival
New York State has plenty of events to keep your calendar full this Disability Pride Month! Head over to Central Park‘s iconic Naumburg Bandshell on July 12 for the 7th annual Disability Unite Festival (pictured). This free hybrid event commemorates the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with live performances by disabled artists, disability inclusion training, interactive art activities, community resources, advocacy, and opportunities to connect with more than 50 organizations and city agencies. Be sure to stop by the I LOVE NY Experience for free swag, and you can also participate in the celebration online at DisabilityUnite.org. Buffalo’s Disability Pride Festival on July 24 is a community-wide event showcasing over 60 vendors, live performances, a solidarity walk, and a speaker series tent featuring disability leaders and advocates. For children, there will be balloon artists, airbrush tattoos, and hands-on activities from the AKG Art Truck. Enjoy live music during Disability Pride Night at the Poster House in Manhattan, join the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum for Disabilities Awareness Day, and more.
2. Take an Adaptive Hike with SOAR Experiences (Various regions)
Opt outside with SOAR Experiences, an outdoor adaptive recreation organization providing free guided hikes for people with limited mobility. The hikes, made possible with Action Trackchairs, offer an accessible way to explore New York State’s scenic parks and other unique landscapes. Register for an adaptive hike at Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz on July 14 or at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville on July 28.
3. Show Off Your Moves on the Dance Floor at All Vinyl, All Love with Bobbito Garcia (NYC)
Groove to an all-vinyl DJ set curated by the legendary Bob “Bobbito” García with guest DJ Suce, blending hip-hop, soul, jazz, and global sounds on July 12. As part of the “Stretch and Bobbito” radio show, Garcia helped put Jay-Z, NaS, Wu Tang, Eminem, Big L, Wyclef Jean, and Lauryn Hill on the map. This mask-required indoor event at Gabriela in Brooklyn is fully wheelchair accessible and prioritizes accessibility for all, including the immunocompromised and Long COVID communities. Free KN95/N95+ masks are available at the door if you don’t have your own. Advanced air purification systems are also in place to support a safer shared space. The event is capacity-limited and is currently offering a 2-for-1 ticket deal, so reserve your spots ASAP! A free livestream is also available for remote attendees.
4. Laugh Your Heart Out
Laugh out loud at The Squeaky Wheel Sings!, a disabled night of musical comedy in Manhattan, and part of SqueakyFest 2026, the nation’s first multi-city comedy festival featuring some of the world’s funniest disabled performers. The festival returns with a second event as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City on July 29, showcasing stand-up, sketch, and improv that spotlight disability-led comedy as a tool for connection and advocacy.
Keep the laughter going at Jamestown’s accessible National Comedy Center, home to more than 50 interactive exhibits exploring comedy history from vaudeville to viral memes. The museum is fully elevator accessible, offers complimentary wheelchairs, includes accessible entryways and restrooms throughout, and provides a wide range of sensory-related accommodations.
Credit: @accessibletravelnyc on Instagram
Head to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx for their second annual Disability Pride Month Art Making Workshop (July 19.) This joyful, creative workshop blends art, learning, and reflection through the lens of disability pride and inclusion. Set in the beauty of the garden, the interactive session welcomes people with disabilities, families, friends, and allies to explore disability as identity, expression, and empowerment through art. You can request an ASL interpreter or any other reasonable accommodation by contacting publiceducation@nybg.org.
6. Seek out Sensory-Friendly Days (Various regions)
At the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, Sensory Friendly Hours (July 21, August 18, September 15, and October 20) provide a calm, welcoming environment with limited capacity and reduced noise for guests with sensory, developmental, or physical needs and their families. In Rochester, The Strong National Museum of Play’s Sensory Friendly Sunday (July 19) offers early access to attractions including the carousel, train rides, and Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden, all with reduced lighting and sound and quiet spaces with sensory-friendly toys. At Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, Low Sensory Mornings (August 22) allows guests to explore the park at a quieter pace while still enjoying animal feedings, keeper talks, and other attractions without the crowds.
Set sail on the “Queen of American Lakes” with Y-Knot Adaptive Sailing. This picture-perfect Lake George establishment invites people of all abilities to experience the freedom and excitement of being out on the water. Designed to make sailing accessible to everyone, Y-Knot provides adaptive and protective equipment, exceptionally stable keelboats, knowledgeable skippers, and dock-mounted lifts and slings to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for sailors with varying physical abilities. No prior sailing experience is needed! Adaptive Sailing Sundays take place every Sunday from July 5 through August 23, offering a day out on the lake, a complimentary lunch, and the opportunity to connect with fellow disabled sailors, all free of charge! Want to take things up a notch (or knot)? Register for the two-day Y-Knot Regatta (September 19-20) and put your new skills to the test!
Head to Long Island’s North Shore to discover the Museum of Disability History, a one-of-a-kind cultural institution bringing together art and artifacts that present the history, way of life, and identity of a vibrant disability community. Its collection is made up of over 8,000 artifacts, documents, books, and photographs that chronicle the story of the disability rights movement from its beginnings through present day. Explore thought-provoking exhibits covering topics like disability in sports, film, military service, and the intersection of race and disability. The entire space is wheelchair accessible and provides tools to assist visitors who are blind or have low vision, as well as people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sensory bags are also available and trained service animals are welcome.
9. Watch Disabled Artists On and Off-Broadway (NYC)
Credit: @msemilyisobel on Instagram
See Jenna Bainbridge, a proud disabled artist and co-founder of ConsultAbility, a consulting agency dedicated to making theatre more accessible, as the first authentically cast Nessarose in Wicked on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre. Wicked is the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history and has earned more than 100 international awards, including three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award.
Also on Broadway, the hit musical & Juliet, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, reimagines Shakespeare’s classic love story with a fresh, hilarious twist. After starring in How to Dance in Ohio (about a group of young adults with autism preparing for a spring formal dance), Liam Pierce brings elements of his own experience with autism to the role of Romeo, creating an authentic performance.
Venture Off Broadway to The Duke on 42nd Street where you can catch LABEL•LESS, a groundbreaking new musical created by Drew and Lea Lachey that celebrates powerful storytelling, soaring vocals, and electrifying dance. Featuring disabled performer Kaylee Bays, the show is on a mission to break down barriers, remind us of our shared humanity, and envision life beyond labels (closing date August 29, 2026).
Discover new ways to stay active at Access Initiatives in East Harlem. This fully wheelchair-accessible fitness and wellness center empowers people with physical disabilities and older adults to lead healthy, active lifestyles, and is part of the larger Axis Project organization, pioneering a new model of inclusive wellness and community care. Skilled staff provide personalized support and adaptive equipment for a variety of fitness classes, including spin class (handcycle), yoga, low-impact aerobics, weight training, and light boxing. Beyond fitness, the multidisciplinary center offers wellness programs focused on activities of daily living, nutrition, and socialization to promote greater independence and overall well-being.
Bask in the sunshine, ocean breeze, and rolling waves at some of New York’s most iconic beaches. NYC Parks makes it easy for all to enjoy a day by the water with accessible features like ramps, blue Mobi-mats, and state-of-the-art floating beach wheelchairs. Ride the accessible NYC Ferry to trendy Rockaway Beach, or head to Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach for a quieter escape. Reserving a beach wheelchair in advance is highly recommended and can be made online or by calling (718) 885-2275.
Celebrate summer under the stars at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), where world-class performances take place in a scenic venue with a wide range of accessible accommodations. Nestled within the 2,400-acre Saratoga Spa State Park, SPAC offers a welcoming experience for visitors of all ages and abilities, with accessible entrances and parking, courtesy carts, assisted listening devices, sign language interpretation upon request, and dedicated accessible seating in both the amphitheater’s lower level and balcony. As SPAC celebrates its 60th anniversary, catch top-tier performances by resident companies like the New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, along with concerts by Train, Toto, Tim McGraw, Guns N’ Roses, Dave Matthews Band, Lindsey Stirling, John Mulaney, and more. Before the show, explore the park’s accessible trails, natural mineral springs, and geysers.
Hit the slopes at adaptive snow sport programs across New York State, making it possible for people of all abilities to enjoy winter sports. Sign up for adaptive skiing lessons, rent specialized equipment, and learn from dedicated instructors. Mountains in New York offering adaptive ski programs include Whiteface, Gore, Windham, Catamount, Bristol, Greek Peak, Holiday Valley, HoliMont, Kissing Bridge, and Swain. You can also follow the itinerary of our guide to A Wheelchair Accessible Catskills Winter Trip featuring adaptive skiing, lodging, and spas.
Discover even more accessible places to explore and experiences to enjoy on our Accessible Adventures in New York hub!
