Wauwatosa will debut a new 'sensory zone' area in Thursday's Fourth of July Parade
As families and residents gather to enjoy Wauwatosa's Fourth of July Parade Thursday, people who are sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and other effects that might cause sensory overloads can attend from a new space hoping to cater to their needs.
Organizers of this year's Fourth of July parade are trying out a Sensory Zone, a dedicated block toward the end of the parade where floats and marchers will be asked to refrain from using flashing lights, loud music or sirens. Here's what to know.
What's a sensory zone for a parade?
While the space is open to anyone, the initiative is especially geared towards individuals who are sensitive to sensory overload, including those with autism, PTSD, or other conditions that might make a parade environment challenging, according to a city news release.
That includes veterans, according to organizer Mary Callen. Callen said her late husband Paul, a U.S. Army veteran who died about six years ago, would have been proud to be in the sensory zone with her.
"This zone is a space for those who might be isolated from community events," said Callen, who has been a member of Wauwatosa's Commission for Persons with Disabilities. "This doesn't mean just people with disabilities or just our veterans."
Callen and fellow organizer Deb Falk-Palec believe Wauwatosa's sensory zone is the first in Southeastern Wisconsin.
How will the sensory zone work at the Wauwatosa parade?
Look for the Sensory Zone signs near the final block of the parade (around 80th and 81st Streets on North Avenue). In that area, groups in the parade will be notified with flyers to stop all lights, sirens, loud music and sounds that could be startling as they approach 81st Street.
The zone isn't meant to be the end to celebrations, but a quieter area people can opt to experience the parade from, the organizers agree.
Waving, passing out candy, dancing, smiling and saying hi are all highly encouraged, Falk-Palec said.
"It's not like we want everyone silent," said Falk-Palec, who chairs the Milwaukee County Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
"We're not there to enforce or patrol the noise," Callen added.
Since it's the first year for the sensory zone, Callen and Falk-Palec are eager to see how it goes. They hope having an added area considerate of people's sensory needs just becomes a normal part of Wauwatosa events.
Callen said she and other commission members already passed out flyers to businesses along the parade route notifying folks of the sensory area.
Wauwatosa's idea for a sensory zone came from a news story
Falk-Palec was watching the news about two years ago when she saw a segment on communities around the country including sensory zones in their parade celebrations. A quick Google search showed that a few Wisconsin communities had used sensory zones, but she couldn't find one near Wauwatosa.
She reached out to the City of Manitowoc to see how they'd got their community on board with the sensory zone, and then brought the idea to the Wauwatosa Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
Then, Falk-Palec and Callen worked with Ald. Joseph Makhlouf to present the idea to the Civic Celebration Commission, which is in charge of Wauwatosa's Fourth of July festivities.
Brit Swisher, head of fundraising and public relations for the Wauwatosa Civic Celebrations Commission, said the organizers helped educate the commission on the need for the zone and how they would bring it to Tosa, he said.
"You figure people just don't go to a parade because of fireworks or loud noises," he said, adding that the commission welcomed the idea of trying out a sensory zone to see if that helps include those who might otherwise opt to stay home.
If parade-goers find it helpful, organizers will continue it next year, Swisher said.
Extended accessible parking at the corner of Swan Boulevard and North Avenue
In addition to the sensory zone, this year's parade will include a parking lot dedicated to accessible parking at the Bell Tower Office Building at the corner of Swan Boulevard and North Avenue, behind the bank building.
"These spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, providing easy access to the parade route for those with mobility issues," according to the city's website.
Where else have sensory zones been used?
Wauwatosa has joined a growing list of communities in Wisconsin ― and the world ― bringing sensory accommodations to their parades.
This year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, included a "Relaxed Parade Space" sponsored by Dublin City Council catered towards neurodivergent families and individuals.
Bridget Fogarty is a reporter for the Brookfield, Wauwatosa and Elm Grove communities. She can be contacted at [email protected]
Editor's note 7/3/2024: This story was updated to include the correct address for the Wauwatosa extended accessible parking lot.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New 'sensory zone' to be part of Wauwatosa Fourth of July Parade
