Hundreds gathered at the Plaza del Cristo to partake in this festive event, which included a Point Orange equipped with sensory backpacks and sign language interpreters, among other services.
Inclusive Celebration in San Cristóbal de La Laguna
On Wednesday morning, the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna celebrated a new edition of the Inclusive Verbena, one of the most significant events in the agenda of the Cristo festivities. This gathering brought together hundreds of individuals from various groups and associations around the main stage, where they danced to the rhythms of the Kadetes Orchestra and lively DJ sessions.
Mayor’s Acknowledgment
The Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, highlighted that “this Inclusive Verbena has now been bringing smiles and unforgettable encounters to individuals and associations for four consecutive years, serving as an example of perseverance and self-improvement for the rest of the community.”
“From this space of joy and celebration, I would like to pay tribute to all the families and professionals who work with this community to enhance their quality of life. They have consistently demonstrated their willingness to collaborate with this Council to promote dynamic and integrative proposals like this one,” the Mayor added.
Universal and Inclusive Character of the Festivities
Maria Cruz, the Councillor for Social Welfare, emphasised “the universal and inclusive nature that distinguishes these Cristo festivities, not only through this Inclusive Verbena but also with the establishment of the Point Orange at the most prominent events in the programme, enabling everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to be part of this experience.”
Services Offered at the Point Orange
This year, the Point Orange set up by the La Laguna Council is equipped with live audio description services, including dedicated personnel narrating real-time events for individuals with visual impairments. Other provisions include a ‘communicative book’ using pictograms from Arasaac as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication system, specialists in augmentative and alternative communication, wheelchair loans for individuals with reduced mobility during the event, noise-cancelling headphones for those with auditory hypersensitivity or autism spectrum disorders, sensory backpacks designed to help regulate emotions and enhance the event experience, and a magnetic loop system for individuals with hearing disabilities.
Community Collaboration
Finally, Dailos González, the municipality’s events councillor, stressed that “this activity has been made possible thanks to the interdepartmental cooperation of several council departments and numerous organisations that did not want to miss this celebration created for and by them.”
Among the entities participating in this fourth edition of the Inclusive Verbena are Centro de Día Acaymo, Centro ABIA, Centro Ocupacional Valle Colino, Fundación Cruz Blanca, ASOCIDE, Anchieta, Acaman, Acufade, IASS, Fundación Hospitalaria, San Juan de Dios, Acaman Sur, Mensajero de la Paz Canarias, Trisómicos, Hogar del Cristo de La Laguna, Afes Salud Mental, and Asociación Apedeca.
