(Shenandoah) - Community members will gather in Shenandoah on May 2 for a Disability Awareness Walk aimed at promoting inclusion, connection and understanding for individuals with disabilities.
The event, organized through Nishna Productions in partnership with local organizations, begins at 11 a.m. at the depot. Participants will walk a roughly one-mile route through downtown before returning to the depot for an afternoon of food, music and community activities.
Emily Martin of Nishna Productions said the event has become a collaborative effort that continues to grow each year.
“This is an event that Nishna Productions has worked with the Shenandoah Chamber on and with the depot,” Martin said. “It is not necessarily any one person’s project. It’s a collaboration and we are honored to participate in this every year.”
The walk is open to people of all ages and abilities, with organizers encouraging broad participation from across the community.
Volunteers assist in a variety of roles, from walking alongside participants to helping with safety along the route.
“It is absolutely open to everybody,” Martin said. “We love to see as many people who have disabilities are able to come out and participate, and we love to see that it’s growing within the community as well.”
Local businesses and residents also contribute to the atmosphere, often setting up along the route to cheer on participants.
“We have business owners who come out and put lemonade stands outside their business as we pass by and little words of encouragement,” Martin said. “So it’s really a lot of fun.”
Following the walk, attendees will gather under the depot tent for lunch, live music from Jeff Slater and refreshments, including homemade root beer from the Depot.
The event is supported by donations from local partners, helping keep participation free.
Organizers will also award medals to the first 100 participants to complete the walk, with this year’s medals designed to double as keepsakes.
While participation is free, organizers ask attendees and volunteers to register in advance to help with planning, though walk-up registration will be available the day of the event.
Martin emphasized the deeper purpose behind the gathering, noting it provides an opportunity to build understanding and recognize individuals who are often overlooked.
“It’s a time for them to be recognized and to be treated as members of the community,” she said. “We just want to try and bridge that gap so that we understand that they are people with pride and who want to be treated with dignity.”
The event typically concludes around noon, with organizers encouraging attendees to stay and enjoy the post-walk activities.
This story comes from our partners at KMA Radio.