Committee explores sensory‑friendly supports for Family Fourth attendees

Melanie Hearn, working with the administration team, outlined a developing plan to make the Family Fourth event more accessible for people with sensory needs. Hearn described the effort as a support function that would “stand on three legs”: safety and security, entertainment and marketing/media.

Hearn said the concept draws on recent local sensory‑friendly events where emergency services and partners provided sensory kits and other accommodations. She told the committee these kits can be deployed in ambulances or police vehicles and that they include items such as noise‑canceling headsets and commonly used school‑based sensory tools. “There has been a lot of recent experiences and partnerships in town, such that, we can support our emergency services as they’re trying to serve those people that have those sensory needs,” Hearn said.

The proposed program would also include consultation with entertainment staff to identify what worked at other inclusive events, and a small landing webpage with resources for families — for example, items to bring (headphones, sunglasses), sample plans for attending the event, and links to partner organizations. Hearn said town partners could include occupational therapists in the public schools, the Nature Center and parent groups that have experience organizing sensory‑friendly activities.

The committee emphasized this is a work in progress. Hearn said the goal is not to account for every situation but to provide tools and information so families and individuals can plan and enjoy the event safely and with support. Committee leadership said the program would be refined, coordinated under the administration team and brought back to the committee for approval if it is viable.