In-Person at Central Park (11 AM–4 PM)
📍 Naumburg Bandshell – Enter at 72nd Street & 5th Ave
☔ Rain or Shine
11:00 AM – “Know Your Rights” Training
Location: Network Area
Presented in partnership with the City Commission for Human Rights.
11:45 AM – "Love Train" Conga Line
Location: Left side of the audience.
Line up, everybody! Join our joyful, community-led conga line as we dance around the audience in preparation for our upcoming effort to break the World Record for the most wheelchairs-users in a row. This is your chance to get to know other festival-goers — groove to “Love Train” and roll with pride! Spaces are limited, so arrive at the starting location at 11:45 sharp.
12:00 PM – Group Photo + Welcome Remarks
Gather front and center! We’ll snap a group photo before diving into the main stage program.
Hosted by: Kaylee Bays, Latavia Sturdivant, and Beth Bienvenu
12:15 PM – 4:00 PM – Main Stage Performances (Also Livestreamed) & Activities
12:15 PM: BRIDGES
1:00 PM – Austin Halls
1:45 PM – Precious Perez
2:30 PM - Disability Hip Hop Jam ft. Four Wheel City & Friends
3:40 PM – Closing Remarks & Transition to Virtual Festival
We’ll say farewell from the stage and invite our online audience to stick around for incredible – exclusively virtual – performances and content!
All Day Activities
In-Person @ 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Creation Row and Activities Avenue
Join in on a diverse arrow of activities for all ages and abilities!
Weaving with Intertwine Arts
Step or roll away from the excitement for a while and learn to weave on a loom.
Omnium Circus: A Bold New Circus
Omnium reimagines the circus through inclusion and accessibility, celebrating the talents of disabled and non-disabled performers while showcasing the joy and wonder of circus arts.
Adaptive Yoga with Inner Being Yoga
Take some time to relax and join an adaptive yoga class with Inner Being Yoga, a community-based wellness organization dedicated to making yoga accessible to all.
Spinal Mobility Exercise with Lawrence Harding
Join Lawrence for an engaging and accessible Spinal Mobility Exercise workshop exploring adaptive movement, stretching, strengthening exercises, mobility techniques, and functional fitness activities in a supportive and welcoming environment. Movement is for everyone!
Breaking Traditions with Avani Shandilya
Join Avani for a fun and interactive Bharatanatyam (classical Indian dance) workshop where movement, rhythm, and storytelling come to life in a welcoming space designed for every body!
Central Park Zoo
Enjoy some wildlife activities with the Central Park Zoo!
Step and Repeat
Snap a photo of you and your friends celebrating Disability Pride Month at the Disability Unite Festival!
The Body Is Good at Story Tapestries
Join us as we use Jessica Wallach's art to challenge our perspectives and reflect on our relationships with our bodies and the many ways we experience, interpret, and move through the world.
Tabling & Community Engagement
In-Person @ 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Over 54 tables of City agencies and community organizations will be set up around the stage, designed to foster interaction between community members and service providers. Highlights include:
- 4 Independent Living Centers
- NYC government agencies
- NYC agencies and community-based organizations paired intentionally for mutual mission connection
Virtual Programming (12 PM–6 PM)
📍 DisabilityUnite.org – Live Stream Center
🕛 12:00–4:00 PM: Livestream of the Central Park performances
🕓 4:00–6:00 PM: Exclusive Virtual Performances from the winners of the Disability Unite Got Talent contest and speaker sessions (Online)
Disability Unite Festival 2026 Virtual Festival
Location: Stage 1, Disability Unite Website
(Following In-Person)
Hosted by Jenna Bainbridge (of Suffs and Wicked fame!), the online show features:
- Global talent (Japan, USA, more)
- Music & dance
- Panels on intellectual and developmental disabilities, invisible illnesses, disability history topics
- Artist chats
- Community Messages
Virtual Performances and Speakers
- Ai Hiraoka
- BETTA FLASH
- DefStar
- Megumi Meepeso
- Mira Gaitanis
- Rika Azuma
- River Onyx
- Samantha Elisofon
- Sierra McCarthy
- Zazel O'Garra
Finale
Virtual Panels
Location: Stage 2, Disability Unite Website
Panels Overview – Part One
This is the first installment of a two-part panel series. Part One is airing during the Disability Unite Festival. The series highlights the diversity within the disability community by showcasing distinct cultures, preferences, and challenges. Each panel responds to the same core prompt through its own lens, encouraging cross-community understanding, knowledge-sharing, and inclusive practices.
By elevating lesser-known experiences and best practices, panelists will help build solidarity and bridge gaps between communities.
Please stay tuned for Part Two of our Panel Series.
Panel 1: Chronic Illness and Invisible Disabilities: The Unseen Journey
Join Chronic Illness & Invisible Disabilities: The Unseen Journey as our panelists explore the experiences of people living with chronic illness and invisible disabilities. Through honest conversations and shared perspectives, we'll challenge misconceptions, foster understanding, and highlight ways to create a more inclusive community.
Panelists:
- Nathaniel Ansari - Interwoven Threads Consulting
- Laura Bloom - Ehlers-Danlos Society
- Samantha Denäe - The Sacral Temple
- Lib Gatti - T1 International
- Victoria Gibbs - Lupus Advocate/Wellness Influencer
- Caleigh Haber – NYC Mental Health Collective
- Emily Hertzberg - Psoriatic Arthritis Warriors/Arthritis Foundation NYC
- Raelle Kennedy - Woke Within/National Organization for Eczema
- David Lemanczyk - Independent Advocate
- Kenna Montgomery - FSHD Society
- Emily O'Connell - Tourette Association of America
- Josh Rheaume - Beyond the Wheeze
- Dale Rockell – Fibro & Photos
Panel 2: Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities: Valuing Diverse Minds
Our panel, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities:Valuing Diverse Minds, highlights the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, exploring identity, independence, meaningful inclusion, and building stronger, more connected communities.
Panelists:
- Eli Gottesman – Self-Advocacy Association of New York State/Grace Foundation of NY
- Danielle N. Lanzetta – Self-Advocacy Association of New York State/Rose F. Kennedy Center UCEDD
- Michael Lettman – Living with Autism (by Michael Lettman)
- Eric Rosen – Eden II Programs
- Joanne F. Siegel – Rose F. Kennedy Center UCEDD/Bronx Community Self-Advocacy Group
Panel 3: History as a Part of Identity
In this panel, we'll explore how the disability rights movement has evolved, why representation matters, and how education can help build greater understanding and inclusion. We’ll examine how our shared history continues to shape disability identity, advocacy, and community today.
Panelists:
- Warren Shaw- Disability History NYC
- Elisabeth Axel - Art Beyond Sight/Disability Pride NYC Parade
- Jenna Bainbridge- Suffs and Wicked on Broadway/ConsultAbility
- Chris Rosa - The Viscardi Center
- Mike Schweinsburg- 504 Democratic Club
Panel 4: Artist Chats
Meet the artists behind the work. Join our Artist Q&A as featured artists share their creative processes, inspirations, and perspectives on the role of the arts in promoting inclusion, visibility, and opportunity for people with disabilities. Discover how the arts foster expression, connection, and well-being while celebrating the power of disability culture and creativity.
Panelists:
- Gaelynn Lea- Violinist/Composer
- Blessing Offor- Singer-Songwriter