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Sandy Springs hosts third annual Superstar Dance for teens and adults with disabilities
Summary
The City of Sandy Springs held its third annual Superstar Dance at the City Hall Studio Theater, a prom-style, ADA-accessible event with volunteers from local high schools and city residents. Organizers and attendees said the event offers adults with disabilities a chance to socialize, be crowned and take photos on a red carpet.
The City of Sandy Springs hosted the third annual Superstar Dance, a prom-themed event for teens and adults with disabilities, at the City Hall Studio Theater; city staff and volunteers said the event gives attendees a chance to walk a red carpet, be crowned king or queen and dance.
A city staff member said the event grew out of a parent request that some adults with disabilities had missed traditional proms. “Were here at the beautiful City Hall Studio Theater. Were here for the Superstar Dance, and this is our third annual event for this,” the staff member said. “It is a party that everyone is invited to. Youre able to come out here, get crowned king or queen, participate with other friends, meet new friends. They get to enter in on a red carpet, get their photos taken, and then head to the dance floor.”
The staff member said City Hall is ADA accessible and that the city provides a range of adaptive recreation programs. “City Hall is ADA accessible. We have everything that people need here, so being able to be inclusive and have a fun event,” the staff member said, and added that the citys adaptive programming includes the Superstar Dance and a dino egg hunt.
A parent of an attendee identified as Christopher Yancey said the dance matters because it gives adults opportunities to be around peers. “It means a lot for Christopher, and it means a lot for me because he gets to go out and be around his peers, which is very difficult when you get to an adult age,” the parent said. The parent said the family has attended every year the event has been held and praised the citys accommodations.
A volunteer, who identified herself as having undergone orientation before the event, described the experience of helping guests enter and receive crowns and bracelets. “I chose to volunteer because I really, like making an impact with kids with special needs. I loved when the kids walked through the streamers and then they came to get a crown and bracelet and seeing, like, the smiles on their faces,” the volunteer said. The staff member said volunteers came from local high schools and from among Sandy Springs residents.
An attendee offered a closing thanks to the city: “Thank you, Sandy Springs, for putting on such an awesome event.” The parent said the family intends to return: “We will absolutely be back next year.”
Organizers and speakers attributed the events continuation to support from the mayor and City Council, and emphasized the citys goal of expanding adaptive programming. Attendance numbers, funding sources and a full program budget were not specified.
