Accessible Holiday Traditions
By Lorraine Sumner, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
A Breakfast with Santa Recap
At 8:00 a.m. on December 13, The Arc of Spokane’s Community Center was quiet, but as staff and volunteers arrived, the room started buzzing with holiday cheer. Armed with coffee and a long checklist, the team spent the hour preparing for The Arc of Spokane’s annual Breakfast with Santa. As holiday music played in the background, we rearranged the tables and set up decorations to transform our everyday space into a festive environment for our guests.
By 9:00 a.m., the first families began to arrive. The smell of breakfast filled the room, and the sound of people catching up over coffee and pancakes blended with Bing Crosby’s Christmas crooning. When Mr. and Mrs. Claus made their entrance, the event was in full swing. The duo spent the morning moving from table to table, taking photos and talking through Christmas lists with anyone who wanted to say hello. The energy in the room stayed high, moving between quiet conversations and a few unplanned arm-wrestling matches that broke out among friends.
“Inclusive traditions…help dismantle the isolation that many people with IDD face and reinforce the idea that our community is stronger when everyone is included”
While the food and the decorations made for a great morning, the real magic was in breaking down barriers that often keep people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from enjoying the holidays.
For many in our community, traditional holiday activities (like visiting a crowded mall or attending a loud community festival) can be overwhelming or physically inaccessible. These environments often present sensory challenges or rigid structures that don’t accommodate different needs, which can lead to social isolation during a time of year that is supposed to be about connection.
The Arc of Spokane hosted this breakfast to offer a unique experience for the IDD community. By utilizing a familiar location, such as our Community Center, we were able to host an inclusive holiday event where participants could engage at their own pace. The impact was visible in the small moments that happened throughout the morning. It was in a way that everyone could be themselves without fear of judgment, and guests could approach Santa on their own terms without the pressure of a long, impatient line behind them.
These interactions are the reason The Arc of Spokane prioritizes accessible programming. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in life’s milestones and seasonal traditions without having to navigate unnecessary barriers.
As the morning ended and guests headed back out into the December cold, they left with more than just a meal. They left with a shared experience and a sense of belonging. Inclusive traditions like this do more than just provide a Saturday activity; they help dismantle the isolation that many people with IDD face and reinforce the idea that our community is stronger when everyone is included.
Thank you to the volunteers, donors, and families who joined us. You made the morning a success and helped ensure that the holiday season started with a focus on community and accessibility.
Your gift helps create inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—empowering individuals to live with independence, dignity, and purpose. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community.
You Can Help Make Spokane A Little More Inclusive Today!
You Can Help Make Spokane A Little More Inclusive Today!
Your gift helps create inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—empowering individuals to live with independence, dignity, and purpose. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community.