Simple ways to make Christmas accessible for people with disability

Key points:

• During the festive season, many people will be gathering to celebrate Christmas with loved ones at events that may involve loud environments and changes in routine
• People with disability including those with physical, sensory or mental health conditions may benefit from adjustments to typical Christmas celebrations
• Sporting Wheelies Chief Operating Officer Dane Cross urged Australians to make social gatherings more accessible all year round for people with disability, not just for Christmas

Many Australians will gather with loved ones this festive season and try to make their celebrations more inclusive to ensure they are enjoyable for everyone.

Christmas is a holiday full of tradition, whether it is the annual drive to look at festive lights, Nan’s Christmas pudding or the forced laughter as Dad retells the same old Christmas cracker jokes.

However, some people with disability may require some adjustments to ensure they can participate in celebrations and enjoy spending time with family and friends too. 

People with physical disability

Wheelchair users or people who have difficulty walking may find some venues or houses challenging to enter if appropriate adjustments such as ramps are not made available. If you are booking a Christmas lunch for family and friends with physical disability, ensure that access is easy to ensure that this does not create additional stress. 

Additionally, if some activities such as driving around to see Christmas lights prove to be challenging for guests with mobility issues, consider choosing a different activity that is more accessible. 

People with mental health conditions

Relationships Australia has found the ‘Christmas period [is] a time of increased stress for people and families’ and ‘the most likely time of the year for many people to experience anxiety and depression’ due to Christmas stress.

Additionally, eight in 10 Australians experience stress when buying presents for loved ones as per a recent VistaPrint Australia survey.

Phillipa Brown, a psychologist and founder of MeHelp Psychology urged Australians to be kind to themselves during the festive season in an interview with Illawarra Mercury.

“Try to focus on the things and people that matter, rather than striving for what Christmas ‘should’ be or ‘should’ look like. It doesn’t need to be what it’s like in the movies or on TV — and it’s not about the gifts and the presents, what’s on the table [or] if the Christmas tree is perfect — it’s really about the people around you” she said.

“Psychologists still work over the Christmas period. It’s important to seek professional help when you need it or reach out to a family member or a friend. If you need to connect with someone, get connected — even if it’s a phone call. If you’re feeling sad or isolated, pick up the phone, call someone and talk about it.”

This Christmas, Lifeline ‘expects up to 4,000 people to turn to [its] crisis support services every single day.’ 

If you are concerned about your mental health, call Lifeline for free 24/7 counselling support on 13 11 14. Alternatively, you can call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit the Beyond Blue website for an online chat.

People with autism spectrum disorder or sensory conditions

Christmas celebrations can often be loud and differ from everyday lunches and activities. For some people with autism spectrum disorder, this change in routine can cause anxiety and frustration as differences can include:

• unfamiliar foods;
• meeting lots of people; and
• loud environments.

If you or someone you know needs to have the same ‘safe foods,’ consider asking the host if you can bring some of your own familiar types of food. 

Read more about how to be mindful of food sensitivities this festive season when hosting Christmas parties or gatherings in the Disability Support Guide.

Meeting new people and being in loud environments can be stressful for many people with autism spectrum disorder. Due to the nature of Christmas, social situations are difficult to avoid, but putting the right strategies in place can help make Christmas more enjoyable for everyone. 

Some ideas for managing these noisy situations include:

• allocating a sensory or quiet room to use when social situations become overstimulating;
• using earphones or headphones with noise-cancelling functions to reduce background noise and help you participate in conversations; and
• attending social events for a shorter period of time.

Some people with disability may find it challenging to engage in some activities and sports around Christmas, but one not-for-profit organisation is trying to change that.

Sporting Wheelies in Queensland helps people with disability to engage in sports and community activities to improve physical and mental well-being. 

Sporting Wheelies Chief Operating Officer Dane Cross emphasised the impact of creating celebrations and environments to better include people with disability.

“Christmas should be a time of togetherness, but for many people with disabilities, it’s a time that reminds them of the barriers that exclude them,” he said.

“Finding a place to celebrate can be a challenge when accessibility is not prioritised and that means people are at risk of being left out of moments that usually bring joy and connection.”

Approximately one in five Australians live with disability as per the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

However, Mr Cross highlighted how not-for-profit organisations are helping to improve the quality of life for people with disability throughout the year, not just during the festive season.

“We know that creating inclusive spaces and fostering connection isn’t just about ticking a box — it’s about transforming lives. People with disabilities deserve to feel like they’re part of a community that celebrates and supports them both at Christmas and year-round,” he said.

“We’re not just providing accessible spaces — we’re creating opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in activities that bring them joy and purpose, whether it’s through sports, group events or simply sharing a conversation.

“Every donation helps us create spaces where people with disabilities can connect and feel a true sense of belonging. This isn’t just a seasonal effort — this is about ensuring no one is left behind, not just during Christmas, but every day of the year.”

You can donate to Sporting Wheelies this Christmas to help support the programs and services that improve the lives of Queenslanders with a disability by visiting the Sporting Wheelies website. 

You can give a one-off donation or contribute monthly, with all donations of $2 dollars or more being tax deductible. 

How do you plan to make your Christmas celebrations accessible for people with disability?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

For more information related to disability news, subscribe to the FREE weekly newsletter. 

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