In-Person Community
Overview
While online communities are vital, in-person disability community—gathering in physical spaces with other disabled people—provides unique connection, support, and power. This page covers finding local disability community, creating accessible gatherings, building in-person support networks, and why in-person community matters.
This page recognizes that not all disabled people can participate in in-person community (homebound, rural, no accessible transportation, etc.) and that both online and in-person community are valuable.
Content note: This page discusses accessibility barriers, isolation, and building community with people different from yourself. It discusses accessibility conflicts and how to navigate them.
Historical Context and Who Built This
Disabled people have always gathered together. Early disability rights organizing happened in person—in community centers, churches, homes, and parks. The 504 Sit-In, Deaf culture gatherings, disability pride events—these were physical, embodied resistance and connection.
Community care has long roots: disabled people supporting each other, organizing together, building the structures that allow us to survive and thrive. In-person community is where we’ve built power.
Key Concepts
Why In-Person Community Matters
Different from online:
- Physical presence and embodied connection
- Shared physical space creates solidarity
- Ability to provide direct, in-person help
- Building local power and advocacy
- Creating infrastructure and structures
- Multigenerational connection
- Cultural and celebratory gatherings
Not replacement for online:
- Online connects across distance and isolation
- Online provides anonymity and safety
- Online allows connection despite transportation barriers
- Both needed, both valuable
Accessibility is Community Requirement
In-person community only works with accessibility. Truly accessible gatherings require:
- Physical accessibility (ramps, bathrooms, elevators)
- Communication access (ASL, CART, captions)
- Cognitive accessibility (clear agendas, quiet spaces)
- Sensory accessibility (lighting, sound management, scent-free)
- Financial accessibility (free or low-cost events)
- Flexible participation (can come/leave as needed)
- Childcare and caregiver support
Finding Local Disability Community
Disability Organizations
Types:
- Cross-disability organizations (serve all disabled people)
- Condition-specific organizations (one disability)
- Disability rights organizations (legal/advocacy)
- Peer support organizations (led by disabled people with lived experience)
- Service organizations (provide services)
Finding:
- Google search: “[your city] disability organizations”
- Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) has links to local orgs
- Disability specific organizations (search [disability name] + [your city])
- Community centers (often have disability programs)
- Hospitals or healthcare systems (often have patient support groups)
- Libraries (often host groups)
What to look for:
- Truly run by disabled people or at least disability-centered
- Free or low-cost events
- Accessible (ask about accessibility)
- Values match yours
- Community and peer support focus (not just services)
Independent Groups and Meetups
Self-organized communities:
- Disability meetup groups (Meetup.com)
- Facebook groups organizing in-person
- Peer support groups (often free)
- Recreation groups for disabled people
- Art or creative groups
- Sports or adaptive exercise groups
Finding:
- Meetup.com: search disability-related groups in your area
- Facebook: search “[your disability] + [your city]”
- Word of mouth in disability community
- Library bulletin boards and websites
- Community centers
- Craigslist community section
College and University Groups
Disability student organizations:
- Most colleges have disability student groups
- Open to students with disabilities
- Activities, support, advocacy
- Build skills and community
- Mentorship opportunities
Finding:
- Contact disability services office
- Student organization fair
- College website or student portal
- Ask other disabled students
- Ask disability services about active groups
Online Communities With In-Person Meetups
Some primarily online communities organize local meetups:
- Reddit local communities with meetups
- Discord servers organizing in-person
- Facebook groups
- TikTok community organizing locally
- Virtual support groups that occasionally meet in person
Creating Accessible In-Person Gatherings
Planning for Accessibility
Before announcing:
- Choose accessible location
- Plan timeline and agenda (accessibility is planning)
- Budget for accessibility features
- Think through sensory environment
- Plan for flexibility
Timeline and communication:
- Announce early with accessibility information
- Ask what people need (survey or open communication)
- Make changes based on feedback
- Confirm accessibility 48 hours before
- Have backup plans
Physical Accessibility
Location considerations:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance (no steps, automatic doors, or assistance available)
- Accessible parking nearby or valet parking for disabled people
- Accessible bathrooms on same floor
- Elevator to all levels (if multi-story)
- Climate control (comfortable temperature)
- Adequate seating (even if activity involves standing)
- No overwhelming clutter or obstacles
- Wide pathways (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches need space)
Furniture and setup:
- Mix of standing and seating areas
- Tables at wheelchair-accessible height
- Chairs without arms (for wheelchair transfer)
- Mix of hard and soft seating
- Back support options
- Adequate space between seating
Accessibility statement:
- Include in all announcements
- “This event is wheelchair accessible”
- “ASL interpreter provided”
- “Parking available”
- “Childcare available”
- State what accessibility is provided
- Invite people to request additional accommodations
Communication Access
For deaf and hard of hearing:
- ASL interpreter (hire professional; budget accordingly)
- CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) - more expensive but covers audio and speaking
- Captions on videos
- Written agenda/notes
- Verbal and written communication of information
- Consider video remote interpretation options
- Test technology beforehand
For blind and low vision:
- Audio description of visual content
- Materials in large print or braille
- Verbal description of space and layout
- Guide dog accommodation
- Accessible materials and handouts
- Descriptive language in verbal communication
For all:
- Clear audio (good speakers, no background noise)
- Microphones if large group
- Visual aids (slides, written information)
- Written agenda and minutes
- Clear communication of time and location changes
- Multiple ways to communicate (written, verbal, visual)
Cognitive and Sensory Accessibility
Sensory environment:
- Lighting: avoid strobing, too bright, or too dim
- Sound: manage background noise, volume
- Scent: scent-free space (no perfume, air fresheners)
- Temperature: comfortable for variety of people
- Breaks: scheduled and flexible
- Clear information presented in multiple ways
Cognitive accessibility:
- Written agenda in advance
- Clear, plain language
- Structured format
- Announced changes before they happen
- Time for processing
- Quiet spaces for breaks
- Simple, organized materials
- Avoid overwhelming sensory or cognitive input
Financial Accessibility
Cost:
- Free events or sliding scale
- Cover accessibility costs (don’t pass to participants)
- Disability services budget in
- Fundraise or seek grants for accessibility
- Transportation assistance if possible
- Meal assistance if providing food
Hidden costs:
- Transportation (arrange accessible options if possible)
- Childcare (provide or reimburse)
- Medication or medical supplies
- Parking (free or validate)
- Technology (Zoom links if virtual option)
Flexible Participation
Access needs vary:
- People coming and leaving is okay
- Not requiring full attendance
- No forced participation (can observe)
- Virtual option if possible
- Online participation in addition to in-person
- Asynchronous participation when possible
- Caregiver attendance accepted
- Service animals welcome
Dealing With Accessibility Conflicts
Conflict reality:
- Different disabled people have different needs
- One person’s access may conflict with another’s
- This is normal and solvable
- Requires negotiation and problem-solving
Example conflicts:
- Fragrance sensitivity vs. people wanting to wear perfume
- Sound sensitivity vs. need for background music
- Light sensitivity vs. need for good lighting
- Seating proximity vs. personal space needs
Managing conflicts:
- Plan proactively (reduce conflicts through design)
- Have multiple sensory environments (quiet room, regular room)
- Acknowledge conflicts happen
- Problem-solve together with community
- Prioritize accessibility over convenience
- Some disabled people may not attend certain events; that’s okay
Building Disability Community Culture
What Community Looks Like
Values:
- Everyone belongs
- Disabled leadership and decision-making
- Accessibility is non-negotiable
- Honoring complexity and difference
- Mutual aid and support
- Celebrating disability
- Resisting ableism together
What happens:
- Sharing resources and knowledge
- Supporting each other
- Organizing for change
- Celebrating milestones
- Processing ableism together
- Building power
- Having fun
- Creating culture
Community Care
In-person:
- Someone struggles to get there; people help with transportation
- Someone can’t afford event; group pays
- Someone having crisis; community shows up
- Someone exhausted; community takes tasks
- Building structures of mutual support
Practical:
- Potluck and shared meals
- Carpooling
- Childcare sharing
- Equipment sharing
- Advice and knowledge sharing
- Physical help when needed
- Emotional support
Celebrating Disabled Identity
Community gatherings as celebration:
- Disability pride
- Cultural celebration
- Reclaiming disability
- Resistance to shame
- Friendship and joy
- Creating disabled culture
- Intergenerational connection
Activities and Programming
Support Groups
What they provide:
- Sharing experiences with others
- Learning from peers
- Emotional support
- Problem-solving together
- Reduced isolation
- Ongoing community
Types:
- Disease-specific groups
- Cross-disability groups
- Crisis support groups
- Processing trauma/ableism groups
- Peer mentoring groups
- Parent groups
- Caregiver groups
Finding:
- Hospital or health provider groups
- Nonprofit disability organizations
- Online groups with local meetings
- Library-hosted
- Faith communities
- Mental health organizations
Social and Recreation
Activities:
- Game nights
- Coffee meetups
- Movies or outings
- Potlucks
- Picnics
- Book clubs
- Creative workshops
- Sports and recreation
- Celebrations and holidays
Value:
- Building friendship and connection
- Fun and joy
- Reduced isolation
- Normal socializing
- Culture building
Advocacy and Organizing
What disabled people do together:
- Organizing campaigns
- Direct action and protest
- Writing to politicians
- Building power
- Demanding change
- Research and documentation
- Political education
Why in-person:
- Face-to-face coordination
- Physical presence is powerful
- Building relationships strengthens organizing
- Collective decision-making
- Community accountability
Education and Skills-Building
Workshops and trainings:
- Disability rights education
- Self-advocacy skills
- Benefits navigation
- Accessibility training
- Technology education
- Health education
- Job skills
Value:
- Practical skills
- Peer teaching (disabled people teaching disabled people)
- Shared knowledge
- Capacity building
- Preparation for independence
Challenges and Solutions
Transportation Barriers
Challenges:
- No accessible public transit
- Paratransit limited or inaccessible
- Can’t drive
- Can’t afford taxi/rideshare
- Rural isolation
- Distances too far
Solutions:
- Group provides transportation (van, volunteer drivers)
- Meet at accessible public transit location
- Virtual or hybrid option for those who can’t attend
- Multiple meeting locations (reach different areas)
- Home visits or support for homebound people
- Carpooling network
Sensory Conflicts
Challenge:
- One person’s access needs conflict with another’s
Solutions:
- Multiple spaces (quiet room available)
- Staggered events (sometimes with fragrance, sometimes fragrance-free)
- Creative problem-solving
- Acknowledge not everyone can attend all events
- Planning with accessibility first
Fatigue and Health Variability
Challenge:
- Disabled people can’t always attend
- Health flares prevent participation
- Fatigue makes travel hard
Solutions:
- Virtual participation option
- Recorded meetings available later
- Flexible attendance (no required participation)
- Understanding and support when people miss
- Shorter or split events
- Scheduling with disabled people’s patterns in mind
Conflict and Difference
Challenge:
- Disabled people are diverse
- Conflicts between people happen
- Different approaches to disability
Solutions:
- Clear community values and agreements
- Restorative practices, not punishment
- Addressing conflict directly
- Making space for difference
- Accountability and growth
- Community support for addressing harm
Isolation and Access
Challenge:
- Not all disabled people can access in-person community
- Homebound, rural, no transportation
- Some disabilities make gathering impossible
- Internet access varies
Solutions:
- Digital access and online community alongside in-person
- Home visits for homebound people
- Regular online meetings
- Multiple ways to participate
- Mailing lists and newsletters
- Phone check-ins
- Hybrid events
Starting Your Own Group
If no disability community exists in your area, you can start one.
Steps
1. Define purpose and community:
- Who is this for? (cross-disability, specific disability, age group, etc.)
- What’s the purpose? (support, social, advocacy, education)
- Where will you meet? (location, frequency)
2. Build core group:
- Talk to other disabled people in your area
- Start small (3-5 core people)
- Divide responsibilities
- Meet and plan
3. Make it accessible:
- Choose accessible location
- Budget for accessibility (food, transportation, materials)
- Publicize accessibility clearly
- Ask what people need
4. Reach people:
- Flyers in accessible locations
- Social media
- Tell friends and ask them to spread word
- Connect with organizations that might promote
- Word of mouth
5. Sustain it:
- Regular meetings (builds reliability and trust)
- Shared leadership
- Feedback from participants
- Address accessibility issues
- Celebrate successes
- Keep improving
Resources for Starting Groups
- Community organizing guides: Many exist online
- Disability organizations: Can advise on starting groups
- Online spaces: Disability communities can help
- Meetup.com: Platform for organizing local groups
- Facebook groups: Can organize events
- Library and community centers: May provide space
Mentorship and Intergenerational Connection
Why It Matters
Benefits:
- Younger disabled people see possibility and disabled adulthood
- Older disabled people pass knowledge and experience
- Building community across generations
- Breaking isolation
- Creating history and continuity
Finding Mentorship
Formal programs:
- Some disability organizations have mentorship programs
- Schools sometimes have peer mentoring
- Professional associations
- Disability advocacy groups
Informal mentorship:
- Asking someone to mentor you
- Regular check-ins with experienced disabled person
- Peer support relationships
- Learning from elders in community
- Online mentorship
Being a Mentor
If you’re an experienced disabled person:
- Young disabled people may seek your wisdom
- Sharing what you’ve learned is valuable
- Creating relationships across age
- Building future disability leaders
- Celebrating disabled possibility
Global and Cultural Perspectives
Disability Community Across Cultures
Western model:
- Formal organizations
- Meetings and events
- Written materials
- Legal rights framework
- Often individualistic
Global South:
- Family and community care
- Informal gatherings
- Collective decision-making
- Intergenerational knowledge
- Celebration and culture
- Economic and survival support
Indigenous communities:
- Traditional knowledge and healing
- Collective responsibility
- Spiritual connection
- Land-based community
- Honoring disabled people’s knowledge
Navigating Intersectionality
Disabled communities can include:
- Race, ethnicity, and racism
- Gender and gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Immigration status
- Class and poverty
- Colonialism and imperialism
- Language barriers
Creating truly inclusive spaces:
- Addressing power dynamics
- Including leadership from multiply-marginalized people
- Accessibility including interpretation and translation
- Understanding intersection of disabilities and oppressions
- Commitment to anti-racism and intersectionality
Getting Started
If You’re Isolated
- Search: Look for existing groups online and in your area
- Reach out: Contact disability organizations
- Connect online first: Find online disability community
- Arrange meetup: Meet with one other person if possible
- Build gradually: Start small, grow over time
If You Want to Contribute
- Identify: What community do you want to contribute to?
- Connect: Reach out to organizers
- Ask: What help do they need?
- Start small: Commit to one task
- Build relationship: Show up consistently
If You Want to Start a Group
- Assess: Is there community need?
- Connect: Find 2-3 others interested
- Plan: Where, when, for whom, for what purpose
- Make accessible: Plan accessibility
- Launch: Announce and start meeting regularly
Resources
Finding Groups
- Meetup.com: Search disability groups in your area
- Facebook: Search “[disability] [your city]”
- Google: “[Your city] disability community” or “[disability name] support groups”
- 211.org (US): Search services by zip code
- DREDF: www.dredf.org - links to disability organizations by location
- Disability.gov: Resources by state and disability
Support Groups
- National organizations: Have chapter finders or meeting locators
- Hospital and healthcare systems: Often host support groups
- Mental health organizations: Have support groups
- Libraries and community centers: Host groups
- Online platforms: Zoom-based support groups accessible from anywhere
Community Organizing
- Community organizing guides: Available online
- Disability organizations: Can advise on starting groups
- Meetup.com: Platform for organizing
- Facebook groups and events: Organize through social media
- 12 for Community: Organization supporting community building
Contribute to This Page
We welcome contributions from:
- Disabled people sharing in-person community experiences
- Information about local disability organizations and groups
- Accessibility planning and best practices
- Community organizing and mentorship stories
- Cultural and global perspectives on disability community
- Resources for finding and building disability community
[Link to contribution form]
See Also
Last updated: November 22, 2025
Maintained by: DisabilityWiki community
Share feedback: [Feedback link]