Sockhop held for disabled adults | News

Backstreet Arts employees served as volunteers and dancers from Southern Arc Dance led the attendees in group dances.

“When we plan these events, they are inclusive events, but 150 people is the cap and we wouldn’t exceed that because we don’t want it to be an overstimulating or overwhelming day,” said Abigail Alvarez, director of client engagement at Pathways.

Because the dance is intended for people with developmental disabilities, some considerations need to be taken regarding the lights, music, food and event schedule.

A typical dance might have bright or flashing lights and loud music, but for the inclusive sockhop, a space with natural light and music at a lower volume was important.

Alvarez said Pathways’ culinary staff catered the event to keep the food aligned with the sockhop theme and accommodate any chewing and swallowing difficulties among the attendees.

The scheduling for the event was also determined with its guests in mind.

“Our guests tend to be extremely excited about an event like this,” Alvarez said. We have clients who wake up at 5 a.m. excited for this event, so we host our events at 10 a.m., which is not typical at all, but that is the timing that really works for the population that we invite.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 4.9 percent of the residents in Coweta County, more than 7,100 people, have a cognitive disability.

“With anything we’re planning, we don’t want to plan it like it’s for a large group in the community. It’s a niche,” Alvarez said. “It’s being planned for adults with…