San Mateo County hosting seventh annual inclusion festival

Although both intellectual and physical disabilities touch all groups of people, those with disabilities are often still excluded and disparaged, Florence Wong, president of the San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities, said. The inclusion festival aims to upend that narrative, offering a safe, welcoming space.

“Despite the fact that it is something shared by every kind of group you can think of, often people with disabilities are just kind of ignored, and certainly there's still a lot of discrimination and bullying,” she said. 

Groups like the Special Olympics, which offers athletic experiences for those with disabilities, as well as the Red Cross, will all have booths at the event. The morning timing is also meant to be inclusive, Wong said, allowing programs and families to bring in kids and adults alike. 

“It makes it easy for programs to bring everybody and provide the transportation to bring people to look at the booths and talk to the vendors, and, and just kind of have an enjoyable time,” she said. “It is meant to be kind of a way for people to also just hang out and have some fun, and feel like their needs and interests are being provided for.” 

The County Commission on Disabilities advises the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on the needs of disabled residents in the county in addition to putting on events, like its October disability arts showcase and the inclusion festival. 

Wong is hopeful that events like the festival, which are open to everyone in the community, will draw more attention to the commission and empower people with disabilities. 

“We want people to bring their issues to us,” she said. “If there is something happening in their town and [they’re] struggling with it, or it's some issue, it can come to us, and we can decide as a commission, this is something we would like to focus on.” 

The resources offered at the upcoming event will be beneficial for those with and without disabilities, Wong said, and she encouraged the community to come out and learn more. 

“Even if you yourself don't have a disability, you know you're going to either have a family member or cross paths with someone who has disabilities, and maybe you'll have some information that you can share with somebody,” she said.