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Parents, advocates press Laredo committee to expand autism-accessible carnival events and supports
Summary
At the Feb. 19 Blue Ribbon Committee meeting, family members described access barriers at a recent public carnival and urged the committee, schools and Parks & Recreation to expand low-cost, inclusive options including November events, wristbands, fast-track access and coordinated outreach.
City of Laredo Blue Ribbon Committee for People with Disabilities members heard extended public comment Feb. 19 from family members who said high ride costs, long lines and crowding limit participation by children and adults on the autism spectrum.
A family member who identified herself as a grandparent of a child with autism described attending a recent carnival and said, “for one child to ride the rides from 5 o’clock to 8, it was almost a hundred dollars.” She told the committee that a local nonprofit is offering $10 bracelets for children with autism but that cost and crowding still exclude many families.
The comment drew discussion about several parallel efforts. Committee members and guests said the two local school districts (referred to in the meeting as LISD and UISD) have agreed to cooperate with outreach; the committee discussed using schools to distribute information and bracelets so families are not missed. Committee members said an organizer is planning a free, autism-focused event in November and that public-health partners may run an event in April during Autism Awareness Month.
Jenny Sanchez, Special Needs Manager for Parks and Recreation, outlined local recreation department work on adaptive programs. She said Parks & Recreation will host an adaptive painting class Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. in the auditorium with preregistration and limited space (25 seats tentatively). Sanchez also described plans for more sensory-friendly swim sessions and smaller, morning events at the Haines Recreation Center to reduce crowding, and asked the committee to complete a needs-assessment form she distributed.
Speakers suggested operational fixes for large public events: a low-cost “fast track” or bracelet that allows shorter lines for participants with sensory needs; coordination with schools so eligible children are identified in advance; and working with sponsors (the committee discussed that the February carnival is McDonald’s-sponsored while November is a different sponsorship arrangement) to reduce at-the-gate costs (meeting participants noted kiosk vs. gate ticket pricing during discussion).
Committee members and commenters emphasized that funding and relationships matter: multiple speakers said free or low-cost events require sponsorship or donated funds, and that building trust with schools, police and event sponsors will take time and staff capacity. Parks & Recreation staff said the department is understaffed and that many inclusive activities will require caretakers or volunteers to attend as support.
The committee agreed to continue coordination with Parks & Recreation, school districts and public-health partners and to circulate event details by email and school distribution lists. No formal vote or ordinance resulted from the discussion.
The public comment period and Parks & Recreation update illustrated points the committee identified in its strategic planning: expanding low-cost inclusive events, improving outreach through schools, and documenting resource needs for sponsors and city support.
