How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month with Mass Audubon

July is Disability Pride Month, in which we commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for them in the U.S.

But Disability Pride Month is more than that—it is a celebration of life and a reminder that the more accessible we make our world, the more inclusive and welcoming it becomes.

Here are 5 ways you can celebrate Disability Pride Month in nature with Mass Audubon this July.

 1. Visit During Sensory Friendly Hours

Enjoy a peaceful visit during sensory-friendly hours, when the sanctuary is closed to the public and open exclusively for individuals with autism or other sensory sensitivities. With fewer visitors, quieter trails, and a calm atmosphere, it's the perfect opportunity for families, children, and adults to connect with nature at their own pace in a more comfortable, less stimulating setting.

Ipswich River, Joppa Flats, Drumlin Farm and Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary all offer sensory friendly hours during the month of July. 

2. Join Accessible Birding Programs

The great thing about birding? It’s for everyone! You don’t need to hike to faraway places or rely on one sense to appreciate the birdlife around us. Find what works for you: accessible birding comes in many forms, including birding in place, birding by ear, slow birding, and more. From the coasts of Wellfleet Bay to the forests of Arcadia, accessible birding opportunities are available this July. 

Explore accessible birding programs

3. Explore All Persons Trails

All Persons Trails, found at 20 wildlife sanctuaries throughout the state, are typically .5-.75 miles long with wide, even paths of pavement, crushed gravel, or boardwalk.  

All Persons Trails include accessible interpretive features like handrails, braille and tactile features, audio tour stops, wildlife viewing boardwalks and platforms, and multi-use seating. Many sanctuaries offer adaptive equipment to support your adventure into nature.

Learn more about All Persons Trails

4. Attend Long Pasture's ADA Anniversary Event

Celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with this free community event at Long Pasture, hosted in collaboration with partners from Cape Cod's disability rights and advocacy community, including Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers and Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled.

Explore resource tables, an adaptive gardening demonstration, sports equipment demonstrations, and other engaging activities designed to help more people feel welcome and supported outdoors. Participants can also take part in short, guided explorations of Long Pasture's All Persons Trail, a mostly flat, crushed-stone loop that includes seating areas and accessibility features like braille signage. This event highlights the many ways people connect with nature and how thoughtful design helps ensure those experiences are available to everyone.

Register in advance

5. Visit for Free at Select Sanctuaries

During the month of July, all sites with All Persons Trails are offering free admission to people with disabilities. Ask at the front desk upon arrival to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity, and explore all that nature has to offer. 

Find a sanctuary

Celebrate Your Way

Embrace the nature of Disability Pride Month by celebrating your way! Wherever you explore and however you get there, you’re sure to find good company and unforgettable experiences at a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary.

More on Accessibility at Mass Audubon